GREENSBORO—About 250 acres in Greensboro played a major role in the birth of the United States of America.
A new study shows the guilford courthouse national military park generates millions for the economy.
"It dates to the American Revolution and of course this battle, carried on this battlefield here so, it's very unique,” said Stephen Ware, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park ranger.
Ware showed Time Warner Cable News his favorite exhibit at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. The drum is just one of many treasures that attracts thousands of people each year.
"The money that the park service spends on maintaining this battlefield also goes to promote the community and to support people working in the community,” said Sarah Davis, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park acting superintendent.
A study done by the National Park Service shows the military park attracted about 2 million non-recreational visitors and 173,000 recreational visitors in 2014—pumping $10.7 million into the economy.
"We feel that the recreational visitors who come here tend to have more of an impact because most of them come from out of town or maybe come from a little bit further away so, they're going to have to stop maybe spend the night maybe will stop and do a little shopping if they will stop and eat and that's a bigger economic impact that these folks have,” said Davis.
Recreational tourists are those who come through the visitor center. Non recreational vistitors who walk, run or drive through the park.
"Four or five times a year and you'll probably see something different. So, very artifact intensive, some top notch audio, visual showings that we show here and thanks to our Park Friends group who were able to do a capital campaign a few years ago,” said Ware.
The March 1776 battle so badly damaged British forces to the extent that they were forced to surrender to Washington seven months later. The battle is reenacted every year at the park.
"When they come and discover the importance that this battle played in us becoming the United States of America they're very taken by that,” said Ware.
The 100th anniversary of the National Park Service is next year. Park rangers believe more visitors that ever will be out for the celebration.