It’s called the “Outlander Effect” in Scotland – attractions that appear in the award-winning “Outlander” television series have seen visitor numbers increase by as much as 67% since the series debuted in 2014.
Could a similar effect happen in North Carolina now that the series’ characters have crossed the Atlantic and settled in the Tar Heel State? Book four in the series, “Drums of Autumn,” as well as the fourth season of the tv show, takes place in North Carolina and chronicles mounting tensions between colonial Governor Tryon and backcountry farmers, known as Regulators. Two locations central to the series’ storyline – Tryon Palace in New Bern and Alamance Battleground in Burlington – are now preserved as State Historic Sites operated by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
North Carolina fans will have the rare opportunity to meet Diana Gabaldon, the author of this award-winning and incredibly popular series, at events to be held at two N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources attractions April 26-28.
Some tickets are still available for purchase at events at Tryon Palace in New Bern and Alamance Battleground in Burlington.
Dr. Gabaldon is graciously donating her time for these events so that all proceeds from ticket sales will go to benefit the sites' support groups, to aid ongoing preservation and restoration efforts.
Learn more about North Carolina’s “Outlander” connections on the Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources website.
Tryon Palace, New Bern
Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly event at “A Q&A with Diana Gabaldon” on the South Lawn of Tryon Palace Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Learn about her writing process, research, and how she chose to include Tryon Palace in her bestselling novels. Tickets for this event are only $35 for tent seating, $25 for lawn seating. Tickets available at www.tryonpalace.org.
“Outlander” fans won’t want to miss “An Evening with Diana Gabaldon” at Tryon Palace Friday, April 26. Three ticket packages are being offered.
The VIP package includes an Exclusive Cocktail Hour in the historic Commission House and formal dinner on the South Lawn. At 5 p.m., mingle with Dr. Gabaldon and VIP guests during the cocktail hour, limited to 75 ticket holders. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and select drinks, as well as preferred seating at the Dinner on the South Lawn. At 6 p.m., join Tryon Palace for an affair to remember with an Outlander-inspired meal on the picturesque South Lawn. Hear remarks from Dr. Gabaldon and enjoy select drinks at the cash bar.
The next level package is the Premier Dinner Experience, which includes the Dinner on the South Lawn, two drink tickets, complimentary Bundle ticket for a Discovering Tryon Palace: Outlander tour during 2019, and a tent seating ticket to Saturday’s “Q&A with Diana Gabaldon” event.
The final level package is Dinner on the South Lawn only. Formal attire. Tickets for the VIP event will be $450/person; Premiere Dinner Experience tickets are $300/person; tickets for Dinner on the South Lawn only are $200/person. Tickets available at www.tryonpalace.org.
Alamance Battleground, Burlington
Saturday, April 27, at 6 p.m. the Paramount Theater, 128 E Front St, Burlington, will host Diana Gabaldon for a talk and book signing. General admission tickets are $50, and do not include a signed book or photo. Tickets for the book signing and a photo using your own device can be purchased for an additional $50. Tickets are only available through eTix at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/12794 or by calling the Paramount Theater box office at (336) 222-8497.