The Crossing of the Dan Annual Commemoration

245th ANNIVERSARY OF THE
CROSSING OF THE DAN

THREE-DAY COMMEMORATION EVENT

Thursday, February 12 , 2026

As a prelude to the upcoming Crossing of the Dan Commemoration, The Halifax County – South Boston Museum of Fine Arts and History a program entitled “The Cradle of Revolution” will be presented by Paul Smith, President of the
Museum’s Board of Directors at 6:00 pm.

This engagement will tell of the importance of the colonial taverns in the war for our Independence. Additionally, there will be a discussion on colonial foods.

No registration is necessary.

Friday, February 13, 2026

In conjunction with the Crossing of the Dan Commemoration, there will be a gathering from 1PM – 4PM for the Banister Encampment. After the Crossing of the Dan, General Greene and his troops crossing through Halifax at the Banister River to replenish supplies and manpower before heading to meet Cornwallis at the Battle of Guilford
Courthouse. On hand will be reenactors and local citizens who will be available to tell the stories of some of the soldiers involved.

Members of the Dan River Chapter, SAR will have a Revolutionary War camp set up on the lawn across from Beth Car Church. Children and adults are encouraged to stop by and see how our colonial ancestors lived.

At 5:30PM, a program will be held at the Beth Car Baptist Church, 25 Church Street, Halifax, VA. There will be a presentation by Mr. Kevin Hampton, Director of Interpretation and Public
Engagement for the VA250 Commission. The topic of his speech will be “It’s not easy being Greene: The moments that Made a Difference”

Following the program, the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard will march to Halifax County War Memorial and give a musket salute to General Greene and his Army.

AFTER this gathering will be an unofficial networking/meet and greet at Factory Street Brewing starting at 7:30PM. Rumor has it there may be a variety of ales to be sampled here.

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Crossing of the Dan Commemoration – 10:00AM

Following an American victory at the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina in January 1781,
General Nathanael Greene’s southern army outran British forces under Lord Cornwallis as both armies raced northward across the Carolinas. In what became known as the Race to the Dan, a few weeks later, on February 14, 1781, became “The Crossing” when Greene’s army crossed the Dan River to safety near South Boston. The event will be held at The Prizery.

“The Life of Major General Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution”
Featured Speaker – Salina Baker

Salina is an author, presenter, and historian of the American Revolution. Her latest published work is a biographical novel about Major General Nathanael Greene titled “The Line of Splendor, A Novel of Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution.”
She has done presentations about General Greene at events in Boston and Valley Forge, Washington Crossing Historic Park, the General Nathanael Greene Homestead, Cowpens National Battlefield, Ninety-Six National Park, Camden Revolutionary War Visitor Center, and Sons of the American Revolution/Daughters of the American Revolution chapters.
She has also been interviewed on podcasts including Revolution 250, American Revolution Podcast, and Emerging Revolutionary War.

Salina is on the Board of Directors for the Brandywine Battlefield Park Association. She writes articles for the Journal of the American Revolution. Salina holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. She lives in Austin, Texas
with her husband, John.

Registration is encouraged: Register here.

Crossing Events are conducted in cooperation with:

Dan River Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution (SAR),
Berryman Green Chapter NSDAR
Halifax County Historical Society
South Boston – Halifax County Museum
Town of Halifax and Town of South Boston
Halifax County Tourism