Valdese in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Charters of Freedom

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

1. The Charters of Freedom Marker

Inscription.

The original Charters of Freedom are on display in The Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776.

The United States Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, ratified in 1788, and went into effect March 4, 1789.

The Bill of Rights was proposed September 25, 1789, as 12 amendments; ten were ratified December 15, 1791. The remaining two were not ratified but appear on the original document. These first Ten Amendments ratified are our Bill of Rights.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1776.

Location. 35° 44.625′ N, 81° 33.857′ W. Marker is in Valdese, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is at the intersection of Main Street West (U.S. 70) and Faet Street Southwest, on the left when traveling west on Main Street West. Location is the Valdese Education Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 227 Main Street West, Valdese NC 28690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Benjamin Franklin (here, next to this marker); James Madison (here, next to this marker); Thomas Jefferson (here, next to this marker); John Adams (a few steps from this marker); The Waldensians (within shouting distance of this marker); Waldensian Heritage Museum (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Waldensian Colony (about 600 feet away); Waldenses (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valdese.

Full view The Charters of Freedom Marker and display cases image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

2. Full view The Charters of Freedom Marker and display cases

Marker is at the side of the far right display

The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Declaration of Independence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

3. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Declaration of Independence

The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the U.S. Constitution image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

4. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the U.S. Constitution

The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Bill of Rights image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

5. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Bill of Rights

The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Civil Rights Act image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

6. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Civil Rights Act

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.