28-05-2025
Charters of Freedom dedication set for May 31 in Lillington
LILLINGTON — The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and Civil Rights Amendments are coming to Harnett County thanks to the combined efforts of the county working with Foundation Forward, Inc. of Burke County, NC.
These founding documents, known as The Charters of Freedom, are being permanently installed at 455 McKinney Parkway in Lillington.
The Charters of Freedom setting will be dedicated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 31. The public is invited to attend this patriotic event.
Harnett County will be the 71st Charters of Freedom setting permanently placed in communities across the country and the 43rd in the state of North Carolina, by Foundation Forward, an educational Nonprofit created by Vance and Mary Jo Patterson of Burke County.
The inspiration to set up Foundation Forward followed their first visit to the National Archives to see the founding documents.
'Seeing something our founding fathers had actually penned, and then seeing their signatures — Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Rutledge, Wilson and the others — I just got goosebumps,' Vance Patterson said. 'And, then when we moved over and saw those first three words of The Constitution, We The People, I actually got a lump in my throat. It was really an emotional experience.'
The Pattersons now work to bring that experience to communities across the country, having completed settings from Florida to Wasilla, Alaska.
Foundation Forward's mission is to install Charters of Freedom settings in easily accessible locations so communities can view these founding documents in a proper setting without having to incur the costs of traveling to Washington, D.C.
'Imagine if you will school teachers bringing their third, fourth, and fifth grade classes to their Charters of Freedom for annual field trips to learn a little about our founding fathers, the history surrounding the beginning of our country, and how the government is meant to serve and protect We The People,' he said in his dedication speech. This local access will also provide a place for citizens to gather, celebrate, honor and reflect.
A Donor Recognition Pedestal has been erected next to the Charters of Freedom setting for Harnett County citizens to honor loved ones or to recognize active duty military or veterans, first responders, businesses or organizations. These can be purchased from Foundation Forward for a tax-deductible donation at or call (828) 522-1400.
