Saturday, September 5, 2026
By Submitted Story on August 31, 2026
Through the Dare A250 Passport Program, residents and visitors are invited to discover the people, places and stories that make Dare County an enduring and essential chapter in America’s 250-year journey.
More than a milestone anniversary, America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence provides an opportunity to deepen the understanding of our collective history. For Dare County, this celebration carries special significance. Known as the “Land of Beginnings,” our community is home to many of the nation’s most remarkable firsts—from the site of the first English settlement on Roanoke Island and the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, to the Wright brothers’ first powered flight that forever changed the world.
Dare County’s story extends far beyond these historic firsts. Our coastline also tells the stories of lifesaving stations, maritime heritage, conservation, and generations of resilient communities that have helped shape the American experience.
The Dare A250 Passport Program features 13 historic stops throughout Dare County, each offering an opportunity to learn more about the community’s history through museums, cultural sites and natural landmarks. At participating locations, visitors can scan a QR code to collect a virtual “stamp” and submit their name and email address through the program’s digital form.
As participants complete the form at each passport site, they will become eligible to receive a certificate recognizing their engagement with Dare County’s historic landscape through their participation in the Dare A250 Passport Program.
The Dare A250 Passport Program is open through November 18, 2026. Learn more at DareA250.org/Passport.
