Eastern Living - January 2019

EASTERN

LIVING N O RT H

Fort Branch Museum: Unique pieces of history

C A R O L I N A

Port O’Plymouth Museum: Find real local artifacts

The Thad Eure Museum: Gates County makes plans

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LET’S EXPLORE.

WE COVER THE PLACES YOU KNOW & LOVE AND THE PLACES YOU SHOULD GO & LOVE!

o rt f u a e B

Gates

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FEATURES

56. MUSEUM OF THE ALBEMARLE 58.

Collections from eastern North Carolina

ON THE C OV E R

UNIQUE MUSEUMS

Something for all tastes

One of the displays at the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield features the only replica item in the collection – this black dress. The museum is featured in All In A Day’s Trip. Photo by Jim Green

60. GRANDMA’S KITCHEN 62.

Fried corn: It’s what’s for dinner

ALL IN A DAY’S TRIP Ava Gardner Museum tells her story

VOL. 11, NO. 1 JANUARY 2019 STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS Publisher Kyle Stephens kstephens@ncweeklies.com

Staff Gene Metrick gmetrick@rmtelegram.com Jim Green

66. OUT & ABOUT Events happening in and around the 12 counties

72. VIEWS FROM OUR 12 Windsor celebrates sestercentennial

Editor Thadd White twhite@ncweeklies.com Creative Services Director Michelle Leicester mleicester@ncweeklies.com Layout & Design Becky Wetherington

74.

BIOGRAPHY

Joe Cherry is a living, breathing archive of history

78.

TIGHT LINES Learn the benefits of fishing regulations

Advertising Executives Lou Ann Van Landingham lavan@ncweeklies.com Jessica Mobley jmobley@ncweeklies.com

jgreen@ncweeklies.com Leslie Beachboard lbeachboard@ncweeklies.com Deborah Griffin dgriffin@ncweeklies.com Corey Davis cdavis@rmtelegram.com Lindell Jon Kay lkay@rmtelegram.com Amelia Harper lharper@rmtelegram.com Editorial Contributors Corrine Luthy Hugh Davis Sandy Carawan Doward Jones Jr. Sarah Hodges Stalls

80. MARK IT!

African Americans defended Washington

82.

PARTING SHOTS

North Carolina’s Eastern Living Magazine P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983 (252) 794-1461 twhite@ncweeklies.com

Janice Hopkins Kesha Williams Sylvia Hughes Rick Goines J.W. “Russ” Russell Jr.

Reflections from our editor North Carolina's Eastern Living Magazine is published by APG Media Eastern NC, and is a subsidiary of the Bertie Ledger-Advance, Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald, Tarboro Weekly and Rocky Mount Telegram.

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nash county na sh count y

Story by Amelia Harper Photos by Sarah Louya

The Country Doctor Museum

Nation’s Oldest tucked in Nash County

T

ucked away in a corner of Nash

gift shop and medical library and a house

female leaders in the community. Dr.

County is a unique museum

once used as the office for a rural health care

Josephine E. Newell and Dr. Gloria Flippin

that will appeal to history

provider.

Graham were two North Carolina physicians

and medical buffs or anyone

This office now houses the main displays,

who spearheaded the effort to preserve rural

nostalgic for the more the personalized health

including a variety of herbs, compounds and

medical history in Bailey. Graham was present

care of the past.

tinctures, medical instruments that were

at the 50th anniversary celebration of the

The Country Doctor Museum, located

used for activities ranging from child birth to

museum’s impact and longevity. At that event,

at 7089 Peele Road in Bailey, is billed as the

amputation and a replica sick room where

she discussed the impact of country doctors on

oldest museum in the United States devoted

patients recovered – or died – before hospitals

rural communities of the past.

to rural health care history,

became more accessible.

“I think the doctor could come in at that

The museum consists of three small

The Country Doctor Museum has an

time and he was like a representative of God in

buildings including a carriage house featuring

interesting history of its own. It was founded

the room,” Graham said. “I have seen that with

modes of transportation for doctors at a time

50 years by a group of volunteers, primarily

my own father. The doctor had a more personal

when they did the traveling, a combination

consisting of women physicians and other

relationship with patients and talked to them

6

about preparing for death or even hold their

in the world with access to the Internet,

hand. They were also valued leaders of the

Ketterman said. “The museum employees

community because doctors and preachers

outreach to area schools to educate children

were usually the best educated people in

about the evolution of rural medicine and

the community, so they also often served as

collaborate with others to record local oral

mayors or other leaders in small towns.”

history. The museum brings visitors from

Because of its contributions to medical

around the country and the globe to Bailey and

history, the museum was donated in 2003 to

serves as a touchstone for memories of rural

the East Carolina University Medical & Health

physicians, home remedies and community

Sciences Foundation. Since then, the Laupus

spirit,” Ketterman said.

Health Sciences Library has managed its

each hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

operations.

1 & 2) The Country Doctor Museum in Bailey. 3) John Moskop, left, Todd Savitt, center, and Ruth Moskop take a tour at the 50th anniversary of the dedication and opening of The Country Doctor Museum in Bailey. 4) Melissa Nasea looks though a stereoscope at the 50th anniversary of the dedication and opening of The Country Doctor Museum in Bailey.

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3

Tours of the museum are guided and begin

Beth Ketterman, director of the Laupus

from Tuesday through Saturday. The cost to

Health Sciences Library, said the move has

tour the museum is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors

allowed the university to share the treasures

55 years or older and $4 for students. Group

of the museum in other educational settings

tours also are available.

apart from the museum. The museum has

More information about the museum can be

over 5,000 medical artifacts, some of which

found at http://www.countrydoctormuseum.

are housed now at East Carolina University.

org.

“Many of the museum’s artifacts are now digitized and available for discovery by anyone

Amelia Harper is a Staff Writer for the Rocky Mount Telegram and Eastern Living Magazine.

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4 7

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hyde county hyde count y

Story & Photos

By Sandy Carawan

Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum

Snapshots in time

The Ocracoke Preservation Society museum occupies the restored historic home of David Williams.

A

winding

planked

a community-based, non-profit organization

island’s origins until the last few decades. Nearly

walkway, worn by walking and

founded in 1983, is committed to the preservation

every bit of wall space and some floor space tell

weathered by wind and sand,

of Ocracoke Island’s history and cultural heritage.

an important story about life on Ocracoke Island.

leads past the white-picketed

The museum, located in the two-story

Synonymous with the history of Ocracoke

gate

wooden

red-bricked

house built circa 1900 by Capt. David Williams

Island are the surnames surrounding the spaces

walkway toward the spacious front porch where

along

a

and his wife, Alice (Wahab) Williams, contains

in each room – Howard, Williams, Wahab, Styron,

white rocking chairs gently pulse with the passing

an immensely diversified historical and cultural

Scarborough, Gaskins, Gaskill, Fulcher, O’Neal and

of southwest breezes off the Pamlico Sound,

collection.

Austin.

welcoming you to the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum.

The Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum,

10

Room by room, the remnants of Ocracoke’s

While the museum’s many exhibits spotlight

past become present as one’s attention is

special topics from different time periods, the

attracted by the different displays dating from the

unique collection explains a way of life not

A Mason jar and medicine bottles rest as reminders of the days before plastic.

The Maritime Room features numerous memorabilia regarding the Navy, Coast Guard and life during World War II. only shaped by water and isolation, but a way

room, framed photographs of former residents

of a bygone era equipped with vintage kitchen

of life shaped by the survival of a closely-knit

continue to bring life from long ago to its walls.

appliances and utensils that seem reminiscent of

community.

An adjacent room, brightened by two

your grandmother’s kitchen.

During the summer, museum tours are

windows, illuminates exhibits dedicated to

A cook pot, teapot and coffee pot sit upon

offered at certain times of the day; however, one

maritime history and a way of life working on the

the burners of a pristine porcelain-enameled oil

may take a self-guided tour and wander, wonder,

water.

stove dating to the 1920s. Atop the stove spaced

reminisce and learn.

The room not only contains various nautical

between a vintage cornstick pan and a jar of Karo

Upon entry, the lengthy hallway highlights

memorabilia, but historic photographs capturing

syrup sits a collection of rust-fringed tins which

Ocracoke Island’s heritage of the Howard Family.

glimpses of Ocracoke Island’s role during World

once sealed in the spicy aromas of caraway seed,

A spacious family tree, uniquely designed on a

War II.

turmeric, black pepper and mace.

canvas with a two-masted ship sailing toward

Across the hallway lies the bedroom where

Along other walls is a 1940s-style General

Ocracoke Lighthouse, is adorned with many

portrait photographs loom above vintage

Electric refrigerator adorned with Mason jars and

generations of descendants, their names written

furniture furnished from the Dixon family

medicine bottles glistening in the light from a

on colorful anchors, hoisted high above their

homestead from Portsmouth Island – a crib, a

nearby window, a painted birch table and chairs

shared ancestor, William Howard Sr., the first

dollhouse, an antique washstand and an ornate

resident owner of Ocracoke Island.

sleigh bed – but also women’s and children’s

The parlor places attention on a place in time that not only points out a unique way of living

clothing, kerosene lanterns, a Bible and grooming accessories.

but also a means of comfort and entertainment.

Next is the brogue room presenting the

While some spaces feature permanent exhibits

island’s dialect and its unique linguistic features.

such as a century-old Tip Top Hot Blast Southern

A large corner of space honors Ocracoke’s

Stove and a highly ornate pump organ, there are

Mounted Boy Scout Troop, while another

rotating exhibits each year.

showcases Canada geese, duck and shorebird

The parlor contains small and large cabinets

decoys.

which showcase various collections among their

Between the corners of the room stand

shelves – fragments of glass and ceramic artifacts

glass counters not only showcasing a menagerie

from Fort Ocracoke, decorative boxes, ceramic

of seashells, but an exhibit commemorating

plateware, books and oil lamps.

the 300th anniversary of Lt. Robert Maynard’s

While carved duck and shorebird decoys and a spacious six-point star quilt embellish the vintage

defeat of Blackbeard.

From there one can wander into a kitchen

Made by George Jackson, a model of Albert Styron’s shrimp boat sits in the Maritime Room.

11

sitting center in the room, a cast iron pitcher pump standing amid the past technology of a white enamel porcelain single sink. Atop a China cabinet of mismatched tableware stands jars of fig preserves.

There is a research library which can accommodate historians, genealogists and anybody who wishes to research not only Ocracoke Island and its families but mainland Hyde County as well as Portsmouth Island in nearby Carteret County.

The gift shop offers visitors an assortment of local and nautical items, books, toys, shell crafts, CDs, DVDs, recipe books and fig preserves.

Throughout

the

year,

the

Ocracoke

Preservation Society promotes several events.

Captain David Williams and his wife, Alice (Wahab) Williams, the original owners of the house.

Late January features a silent art auction.

months offer weekly summer porch talks, book

In March, the museum and gift shop reopens

signings, museum tours and children’s crafting

followed by an open house in April. The summer

events.

“Whatever we do, we try to incorporate information about what we’re doing. So if we do the lighthouse craft we talk about the lighthouse. We do fish prints. They’re not live

About

mid-August

the

Ocracoke

Preservation Society sponsors the island’s fig festival, an annual event that ends their summer program.

According to Powers, there are about 6,000 visitors a year.

anymore, but they’re real fish. The children

The unique exhibits in the Ocracoke

paint them and press them onto a T-shirt and

Preservation Society Museum, like snapshots

it looks like the fish. So we have somebody

frozen in time, help us not only focus our

from the fish house that comes and donates

attention un a fascinating past and how the

the fish. We also do shell crafts. And we have

experiences captured in those moments

somebody from the National Park Service

helped to shape the present, but those

who brings their shell collection, bones and a

snapshots may even help visitors frame an

tortoise shell. It’s a lot of fun for the kids,” said

uncertain future which lies ahead as they

Museum Administrator Andrea Powers.

ponder the importance of preserving aspects

Also, Backyard Kid Talks are held where A six-point star quilt pieced and quilted by Fannie Pearl Fulcher (1908-1997)

storytellers.

children gather behind the house inside the Miss Blanche, a restored boat, to listen to local

of their own lives and communities before they are lost to the ebb and flow of time.

The

Ocracoke

Preservation

Society

Museum, located at 49 Water Plant Road, is open from mid-March through early December. During the summer, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

During the other months, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, contact them at 252-928-7375 or visit them online at www. ocracokepreservation.org.

Sandy Carawan is an English Language Arts teacher at Mattamuskeet Early College High The kitchen is a replica resembling kitchens of Ocracoke Island and Portsmouth Island from long ago.

12

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northampton county nor th a mpton count y

Story & Photos

By Deborah Griffin

Northampton County Museum A repository for relics from prehistoric to modern times

Books on health from 1902 and medicine bottles are on display in the doctor’s office.

T

he Northampton County Museum in Jackson is the quintessential repository for area relics from prehistoric to modern times.

Founded in 1986 as a “hands-on” museum, it was one of the first in the state that allowed visitors to touch and interact with many of the displays. The museum received a governor’s award for its forward thinking.

Curators Janice and Dennis Babb have seen people from all over come to see this little corner of the earth.

“The visitors’ log lists people from Arkansas, Japan, Canada and the Ukraine,” said Janice, who handles the paperwork for the museum.

She also works at Jackson’s town hall.

“Dennis is the talker,” she laughed. “He loves

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meeting new people.”

He is retired from a paper mill in Franklin, Virginia. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the National Guard.

He now volunteers as sentinel of the museum.

“The purpose of the museum is to preserve both the culture and the material history of Northampton,” he said.

The nonprofit, free museum houses treasures predating Native Americans who made their home here, long before North Carolina was one of the original colonies.

“We have sharks’ teeth and fossils,” Dennis said. “At one time, Northampton County was covered by the ocean.”

The Babb’s love of history has influenced their grandson, Chase Futrell. At 15-years-old, he is the youngest of the museum’s all-volunteer,

12-member board of directors.

Futrell became involved with a Civil War reenactment troop at the age of 7.

“I love history,” he said. “I love finding out things about the past that no one else knows.”

He can be found hanging around the museum on the two days a week it is open.

Because of extreme funding cutbacks from the town, the museum was forced to reduce its hours.

“We looked at the visitor’s log to see what days most people came in,” Dennis said. “We found that Wednesdays and Saturdays had the most traffic.”

On these days the museum is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., unless, Janice said, her husband gets involved in a long conversation.

“He will sometimes spend all afternoon talking with someone,” she said.

The museum operates on a small stipend

from the town and depends on private donations to keep its doors open.

The earliest European artifacts found in the county were unearthed near what was an 18th century tavern.

Wine bottles were found below the bottom floor of the tavern in a basement. The bottles date back to 1760.

“Taverns were vital for early colonialists,” Janice said.

There were no hotels or eating establishments other than taverns across the area.

“Taverns were essentially the courthouses of the times,” Dennis added. “They held court four times a year.”

Finding the bottles was like finding treasure, he said.

The museum accepts any kind of historical memorabilia.

“We have an eclectic collection,” Janice said.

“If you don’t have a local repository, local history gravitates out of the area and gets sold or lost. Then you lose the connectivity to the history and culture of the area.”

- Jim Gossip

(Above) An early typewriter, circa 1912 (today’s computer) is on display.

(Left) Chase Futrell and his grandmother, Janice Babb, help oversee the museum, along with Janice’s husband and Chase’s grandfather, Dennis.

(Bottom left) The earliest European artifacts found in the county were unearthed where an 18th century tavern stood. Wine bottles, found below the bottom floor of the tavern in a basement, date back to 1760.

(Bottom right) Native American pottery and an archaic mortar a pestle found in the county are on display in the Northampton County Museum.

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(Right) Items on display in the museums “county store.”

(Below) Housed on the museum’s property is a preserved, original doctor’s office, moved from Rich Square. A wooden leg, worn only once, testifies to past medicinal practices.

“People can give items on temporary loan, which means they can pick it up anytime they choose to, on permanent loan, which means a designated family member can pick it up (if the donor dies), or gift something (permanently) to the museum,” Dennis said.

Jim Gossip has been president of the museum for 26 years.

Gossip is a private collector of political memorabilia, which he started at the age of 10.

He has the largest collection in the state, onethird of which is housed at the museum. He also collects period furniture and North Carolina decorative arts.

“The museum is extremely important to the county for a number of reasons,” he said. “First, it is a repository for artifacts and the material

16

culture of Northampton County. Second, it serves as a vital research and resource center for those studying local history and genealogy.”

Without museums, he said, history would just trickle away.

“If you don’t have a local repository, local history gravitates out of the area and gets sold or lost,” he said. “Then you lose the connectivity to the history and culture of the area.”

In the future, the board would like to add oral histories to the museum.

“We want to collect testimonials from people that won’t be here down the road,” he said.

Recently, Gossip, Babb and Futrell recorded a conversation they had with a 108-year-old woman.

“She had remarkable clarity of mind,” Gossip

said. “When I asked her if she remembered World War One, she told me about (Woodrow) Wilson, when the ‘boys’ were ‘taken down’ (to war), the Great Depression and Roosevelt,” he said. “It is one thing to read about history, but to meet someone who experienced it is amazing. We hope to preserve more of that.”

Northampton County Museum is located at 203 W. Jefferson St. For more information, call 252-534-2911.

Deborah Griffin is a Staff Writer for the Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald in Williamston and Eastern Living Magazine.

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bertie county b e r tie co unt y

Story by Leslie Beachboard Photos by J.W. “Russ” Russell Jr. & Thadd White

Three Windsor Museums It is a small town with a rich history.

Nestled in downtown Windsor among businesses, stores and vacant buildings, visitors and local residents alike will find three museums showcasing trains, local history and agriculture.

Windsor is home to three museums – the Windsor Train Museum, Russell’s Back-in-the-Day Museum and the Windsor Craftsman and Farmers Museum – all within several blocks of each other.

The Windsor Train Museum The Windsor Train Museum is a special place for people of all ages.

Museum operator Mike Dail said he always has been fascinated with trains.

“When I was a little boy, my parents would take me to the train station in Roanoke Rapids to watch the trains. I would always wonder where the people were coming from and where they were going,” Dail said. “I always loved trains, but life happened. I became busy with working and raising a family.”

Mike and Carolyn Dail work at the train museum with their grandson, Ayden.

18

Dail said that after his grandson, Ayden, was born things begin to change.

“Ayden loves trains and it allowed me to be a big kid again and play with trains with him,” Dail said.

Dail said that he and his wife, Carolyn, set up the upstairs loft in their home with tracks and trains for the family to enjoy, but soon people from the community would call and ask if they could come see the trains.

“People would ask of they could come see the trains and we would always say yes. But

between what we were collecting and the trains that were set up, we needed more space,” he said.

Dail went to town of Windsor officials with the idea of opening a train museum in the town and, as luck would have it, the town owned a vacant building downtown. “(Windsor Town Administrator) Allen Castelloe was instrumental. He showed me the building and once it was approved we went to work creating the museum,” Dail said. “It has been a labor of love.”

The museum is filled with model trains along with buildings, trees and cars. The museum also houses antique train artifacts, train memorabilia and railroad maps.

There are also a few familiar faces from the children’s show, “Thomas the Train.”

Dail said the items in the museum are from his personal collection, some were purchased and others have been donated over time.

“I would get phone calls about trains that someone didn’t want anymore or items someone did not want anyone,” he said.

Dail said he attributes the museum to Ayden, but as more grandchildren have arrived, the love for trains has grown.

“It is awesome watching Ayden teach Paxton about the trains. I have even had a train in the youngest, Rachel’s, hand but she is still too young to get the big excitement out of it,” he said.

Since the museum has opened, Dail said it has had quite a lot of visitors, including families

that would be used for boiling water, cooking and ironing,” he added.

Visitors can see athletic uniforms, yearbooks Russell’s Back-in-the-Day Museum contains a room full of unique Windsor artifacts. and church groups.

The museum is located at 203 E. Granville St. in Windsor.

The museum’s hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sundays.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Russell’s Back-in-the-Day Museum Around the corner, visitors to Russell’s Backin-the-Day Museum can take a walk down memory lane through not only Windsor, but Bertie County.

“Since I was a teenager, I have been collecting and saving things from Bertie County and the surrounding counties in hopes of one day having a museum,” said museum owner Russ Russell.

Russell said he began his collection with items from old buildings being torn down, items people were selling and items given to him.

After purchasing a house in downtown Windsor, Russell decided it was time to open the museum he had always dreamed of having.

Inside the museum, visitors will find

information and artifacts from local schools, churches, businesses, landmarks, fire departments, police departments, emergency services and more.

“My first thoughts were just to do Windsor, but then I decided to do all communities in Bertie County,” Russell said.

Russell said he wanted to show the younger generations the lifestyles of their greatgrandparents and their grandparents.

“I wanted visitors to see how their greatgrandparents lived. An example is a wood stove

and other items from many local schools, both current and from the past.

“I am proud of our school showcase. It includes Bertie Academy and the African American Charter School, which was located at Triangle Hill (the corner of Sterlingworth and Granville Streets) where Martin Community College sits now,” Russell said. “I have yearbooks from many different schools including a 19461947 Windsor High School yearbook.”

The museum showcases many businesses from back in the day, including old country stores and the 1916 Pearl Hotel.

Many

landmarks

are

showcased

–

Many items which used to be displayed across Bertie County are now in the Back-in-the-Day Museum.

Longtime friends, Doug Sessoms and his sister, Ellen Ancel, enjoyed their tour of Russ Russell’s Back-in-the-Day Museum.

19

many that have been torn down in recent

The museum is located at 111 N. Queen St.

years, including the Duke of Windsor Hotel,

in Windsor and is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Windsor Palace Theatre and most recently the

Friday and Saturday.

Townhouse Restaurant.

“The main thing is admission is free. I didn’t

The museum showcases many churches,

want to exclude anyone,” Russell said. “I love

every town in Bertie County and most of the

seeing people’s reactions and love hearing their

crossroads.

stories.”

“The museum shows the history of local fire departments, police departments and when emergency services began as a volunteer service,” Russell said.

The museum shows the changes over

Farmer’s and Craftsman Museum Down the street, visitors will find the town’s oldest museum, the Windsor Craftsman and Farmers Museum.

the years to the locally famous Bunn’s BBQ

This agriculture and and carpentry museum

restaurant, including the old cash register and

features artifacts dating back to the early 1700s.

counters.

It features a wide variety of antique tools and

There is a collection of pottery and artifacts from the same area as the Lost Colony dig, prior to the most recent digs.

“I am still collecting items. People have donated numerous items that they were looking a home for,” he said.

The museum opened on June 22, and Russell said his first visitor was retired Windsor Mayor

many farming implements on display.

The museum was founded by local historian and story teller, Harry Thompson. Thompson died less than a year after the museum opened in 2012.

This museum has seen its fair share of obstacles that came with the town’s history of flooding.

Most recently the museum flooded during

Bob Spivey.

“During the Windsor 250th celebration, I had nearly 400 visitors sign the registry. I have had visitors from California, Florida, Mexico and even as far as England,” Russell said.

Russell said he is eager to schedule group appointments and field trips.

“I have had a group of teachers visit,” he said.

Tropical Storm Julia and then again two weeks later from Hurricane Matthew.

Visitors can learn how farmers used implements to tend fields and crops before modern-day tractors and equipment. They can also see items used for household carpentry before the existence of power tools.

The museum, which is located at 203 East Granville St. in Windsor, is open from 11 a.m. to

Since then, the museum has come up with

2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free.

several methods to preserve the rich history in

Leslie Beachboard is a Staff Writer for the

case of future flooding, including moving smaller

Bertie Ledger Advance in Windsor, the Martin

items and hoisting larger artifacts up higher than

County Enterprise & Weekly Herald in Williamston

the flood line.

and Eastern Living Magazine.

Sports Memorabilia fills the Back-in-the-Day Museum.

20

A visitor exits the Farmer’s and Craftsman Museum on Granville Street in Windsor.

Carolyn Dail works at the train museum with grandchildren Paxton and Rachel Lawrence.

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hertford county h e r tf or d count y

Story & Photos

By Thadd White

Brady C. Jefcoat

Museum of Americana

A historical collection in a historic town

Nipper, the RCA dog, is one of the highlights of the collection at the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum.

M

Brady Jefcoat collected dozens of old music boxes including this one.

iddle America is available in the

The museum houses a little bit of

At the time, the Murfreesboro Historic

northeastern corner of North

everything – including a couch from the

Association began discussing with Jefcoat

Carolina.

set of “Gone With the Wind,” a replica of

the possibility of having his collection

Those looking to take a step back into

Nipper, the RCA dog, a variety of music

assembled in a museum in Murfreesboro.

history need look no further than historic

boxes and over 900 irons of all shapes,

The MHA worked with Jefcoat to meet

Murfreesboro, where one can find the

sizes and coming from multiple decades.

the latter’s requirements for donating his

Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana.

22

The collection coming to Murfreesboro

collection and secured the building to

The museum houses over 17,000

from the Jefcoat home in the Triangle

pieces in exhibits on three floors of the

began when the late Dr. Jerry Jackson

Once the donation was agreed upon,

former Murfreesboro High School. A vast

asked Jefcoat to speak during a graduation

the MHA bought the former Murfreesboro

majority of the items were part of Brady C.

ceremony at what was then Chowan

High School and renovated it to become

Jefcoat’s collection.

College (now Chowan University).

the museum. The building itself also is

house the museum.

Top: This couch in the front room of the museum was used on the set of Gone With the Wind.

Bottom left: Museum Curator Colon Balance points out one of the highlights of the collection – a museum in a room set up as a bedroom.

Bottom right: An old photo of Brady C. Jefcoat and his wife, Lillian.

historic, as it was built in 1922. The building

“When Mr. Jefcoat was about 16, he had

provides 17,000 square feet of display space for

a car accident and as a result of the accident,

Jefcoat’s collection.

he lost the use of his right hand,” said Jefcoat

and A unique music box in the room set up as a bedroom.

Now in its 21st year, the museum is filled

Museum Director Colon Ballance. “He had to

The collection began when Jefcoat’s beloved

almost to its capacity. Most of the items – more

learn to do everything with his left hand. When

wife, Lillian Finch Newsome, died in 1972. It

than 15,000 of them – originally belonged to

he sent things here to the museum, they were

started when he went to estate sales, yard sales

Jefcoat before his death, though he approved the

all in working order. If they needed repair, he had

and flea markets. He would find unique items,

collection adding a few pieces donated by others.

repaired them.”

repair and clean them and add them to his

Jefcoat was the son of a sharecropper and was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, before moving to Raleigh. It was there he began collecting items of Americana more than four decades ago.

Among the most loved items is the museum are: A courtship couch from the movie set of “Gone With the Wind;” A Tudor-style brass bed considered unique;

collection.

From there, his friends helped lead him to other items to add to his collection.

One of the people most responsible for helping make the museum become a reality is

23

Brinson Paul, who served as director

approximately two hours to complete.

of the museum for many years when

Ballance says the story is still fun to

it began. Paul and his wife, Lorene,

tell even after 10 years of sharing it with

helped spearhead the work to bring the

visitors.

museum to fruition.

Each year the museum’s main

When the potential opportunity to

fundraiser is the annual Pork Fest on the

acquire the “Jefcoat Collection” became

museum campus. It brings 20 people,

known, Paul agreed to spearhead this

many of whom are champions, to cook

project, which became a nearly full-time

pork on the grounds. This year, the event

job for over 14 years. He worked to raise

will be held on May 18.

the money to purchase the Murfreesboro

The Brady C. Jefcoat Museum is

High School property, renovate the

open from 11-4 Saturday and 2-5 p.m.

buildings to museum standards, bring

Sunday except Christmas and New Year’s

the collection from Raleigh and establish

Day. Admission is $8 for adults and $6

the collection as a museum. With a cadre

for children.

of over 100 volunteers, Paul brought

The museum is available for touring

life to what is now the largest museum

by groups – including school groups

collection on display in North Carolina.

during weekdays by appointment.

When Paul decided to take a step

“We try our best to accommodate

back, Ballance became the director and

any group as long as we have enough

has served in the position for more than

notice,” Ballance said.

a decade.

The museum is located at 201 West

The collection – which is broken down

by

items

such

as

High St. in Murfreesboro.

home

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern Living

collections, wildlife, a bedroom and

Magazine, the Bertie Ledger-Advance in

others – is displayed in 16 rooms in the

Windsor and the Martin County Enterprise

Jefcoat Museum. A typical tour takes

& Weekly Herald in Williamston.

Top: An entire room in the museum is devoted to old time farm tools. Bottom left: Some of Brady Jefcoat’s collection of gas cans and other automotive items. Bottom right: An iron figure of a dog is displayed in a room of animal collectibles.

24

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martin county ma r tin co unt y

Story & Photos

By Deborah Griffin

Fort Branch Museum Preserving and re-enacting the past

A member of the 11th N.C. Re-enactment Group is reflected in the glass covering historic artifacts were found on the fort’s property.

C

annons still thunder at Fort Branch in Martin County.

The fort holds a special place in United States history – even the trees

seem to know.

“Tannic acid from all the pine trees has helped preserve the remaining wood floors, posts and beams of the Commissary and Magazine,” said Fort Branch Historical Society President Jimmy Braswell.

Each first weekend in November, the fort reawakens and Civil War history comes alive.

Reenactment troops invade the fort to act out what life was like during 1862-1865.

The smell of campfire mixes with black powder used during re-enactment battles.

Night firing of the cannons shakes the grounds in memory of those who fought and

26

died.

Also, each first weekend in December, a special historical Christmas reminds visitors of the tough conditions soldiers endured, as well as the simple pleasures, such as the beauty of a Christmas tree adorned in period décor – strung with cranberries and popcorn and lighted wax candles.

Carols sung by re-enactors and visitors pierce the cold night and echo downriver.

Fort Branch is believed to be the only earthen fort left intact in the South with its original artillery.

The fort’s purpose was to primarily keep Union troops from advancing up the Roanoke River. Situated high up on what is known as Rainbow Banks, a 70-foot bluff near Hamilton, the fort’s location, as well as the bend in the river, gave Confederates a considerable

advantage over encroaching Union gunboats.

The fort employed at least 12 cannons in its vital role to preserve and defend the Roanoke Valley from invaders stationed downriver. It specifically served to protect a crucial railway bridge at Weldon.

Eight of the original cannons are housed in a small museum on the fort’s property along with remnants of the carriages used to transport the cannons, or guns. These guns were almost lost to artifact scavengers in the 1970s.

The museum and safeguarding of the fort is the legacy of landowner Henry Winslow, who died in 2016. He constructed the museum with his own resources, which continues to be an ongoing labor of love.

The grounds, preserved most likely because of the isolated location – and Winslow’s forward thinking – give testament to the life of

A re-enactor strolls by the museum’s guns on display. the soldiers stationed there.

Centennial (1961-1965).

Simple cabins speak of the unsophisticated life of soldiers during war. Wooden ramparts give evidence of where cannons were

Questions arose of where the fort’s cannons might be.

Historically, after the war, the North confiscated most Southern troops’ artillery.

strategically stationed.

Winslow’s son, Hank, has taken up the mantle of keeper of the grounds and museum.

Fort Branch was an exception, since it was still held by Confederates.

property

Retreating soldiers at Fort Branch pushed

encompassing Fort Branch in the 1950s for

the cannons off the high banks into the

farming purposes. At the time, there was little

Roanoke River below.

His

father

bought

the

public interest in the preservation of the fort.

That changed during the Civil War

Plunging straight to the bottom, they might have been lost forever if not for an unauthorized excavation team, arriving in the 1970s with diving equipment and a rented barge to strip the river of anything they could find of value.

They located three cannons, as well as other historical objects they planned to sell.

Winslow got wind of what was happening

Cannon ammunition found at Fort Branch.

and contacted a local judge he knew would be sympathetic to the historical repercussions this would have.

Under the North Carolina Antiquities Law, it was found that the cannons pulled from the river belonged to the State of North Carolina.

This led to the discovery of more artifacts.

Currently, the cannons are on permanent loan to the Fort Branch Historical Society.

The museum also houses ammunition found at the abandoned fort and shards of Native American pottery found near the river.

Braswell said there are specialty items in the museum that can be found no place else.

“We have a 12-pound Confederate siege rifle, of which only nine were ever made. Ours is the only one left,” he said.

Also unique to the museum is a 4-inch Fawcett/ Preston cannon with Blakely rifling as well as an English iron carriage.

Items discovered on the property during an archeological dig by East Carolina University are on display in the museum as well as Civil War relics contributed by private donors.

Fort Branch is usually open on Saturdays from 1:30-5:30 p.m. beginning the first Saturday in April until the re-enactment weekend in November.

Other opportunities to visit are available by appointment only by contacting Hank Winslow at fort.branch.nc@gmail.com.

Because an all-volunteer staff maintains Fort Branch, it is advised to email Winslow before visiting.

Fort Branch is located three miles southeast of Hamilton at 2883 Fort Branch Rd. Deborah Griffin is a Staff Writer for the Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald in Williamston and Eastern Living Magazine.

One of the original cannons looks out over the Fort’s pin trees. Tannic acid from the pines has helped preserve some of the ammunition found on the property and wooden floors and beams from the commissary at the fort.

Some of the artifacts found on the property are on display at the Fort Branch museum.

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tyrell county tyr e ll count y

by

Story & Photos Doward N. Jones Jr.

Columbia Theatre

Cultural Res. Center

Museum not only preserves history, it is history

S

Upon entering the Columbia Theater Cultural Resource Center visitors are embraced into the heritage of Tyrrell County and the region. The main galley makes a grand entrance into a world where people, places and things offer an introduction showcasing the culture and history of the southern Albemarle Sound.

troll along Columbia’s quaint

other popular films of the time.

and environment to the outside world that

business district and you will

One might say it became a showcase to the

passed through the constraints of U.S. 64.

discover a simple marquee with

world, sharing a story far from the everyday

The structure was perfect for an adaptive use,

the word “Columbia” jutting out

life in a rural community. As time moved on,

which reversed its roles as a place of gathering.

over the sidewalk.

the attendance declined and it closed in the

Aptly named the Columbia Theater

1960s, leaving only a memory to those who

Cultural Resource Center, the facility became

remember.

part of the Partnership for the Sounds.

It was here in 1928 that Frederich Schlitz,

a German immigrant, opened the Columbia Theater, which served the peninsula for

For a number of years it stood vacant,

“The Columbia Theater focuses on human

decades. The refined palace attracted people

but then in1996, the building was assigned a

interaction with the particular environment

from around the region to enjoy a western or

new role to serve as a showcase of the culture

of the southern Albemarle Sound, especially

30

Early logging methods were tied to the Ol’ crosscut saw and mule drawn carts to harvest the vast forest resources. Visitors get a view the challenge of cutting wood hand-powered along with visual displays of the final product. fashion items and everyday clothing mark a time when they used natural materials for fabric.

Kitchen items ,which might be viewed as crude today, allowed for meals to be conveniently prepared, at least for the times.

Military service is represented by a number of artifacts locally donated that cover a number of wars that local residents served in. A special plaque honors Sgt. Maj. Tony G. Rose, who was at the Pentagon during 9/11.

As boats facilitated much of the travel in as witnessed through the heritage of farming,

basics of work life.

fishing and forestry,” said Jackie Peoples

It is along the walls next to a raised walkway

Woolard, executive director of the partnership.

that introduces the people and lifestyles that

Upon entering the building, the elegant

provide the human story of living with the

two-story open architecture embraces visitors with a host of exhibits depicting life along the coastal plains as land intertwines with water.

land and water.

Walking along with Helen Craddock, facility manager of the theater and the Tyrrell County

The downstairs carries the theme of

Visitor’s Center, she points out the details of

farming, fishing and forestry, which remain

the artifacts, revealing a story interwoven

the stronghold of the economy even as the

within the confines of the building.

methods of working have changed. Farm

Along the way, a number of environmental

implements, a wooden skiff and forestry tools

portraits reveal the character and diversity

along with displays give an insight into the

of the region’s population. The displays of

the region, one of the more interesting stories on display is about the sinking of the Estelle Randall. Pronounced as one of the largest commercial boats working the Albemarle Sound, she provided a vital passenger and freight link between Columbia and other ports.

In 1910, she caught fire while docked at Columbia, losing one of the crewmen and cargo. A photograph and vital artifacts recovered by N.C. Underwater Archaeology are displayed as a reminder of the perils of water travel.

Farming has and is still one if the economic stables of the region. Potatoes, both sweet and white are some of the main crops. This display draws the emphasis of this valuable agricultural product in its early days of production.

While they were cushy for their time, these original theater seats remain as a reminder of Frederich Schlitz’s refined palace that served the movie going community. If you look closely, yes there is still gum stuck under the seats.

31

Helen Craddock, adjust one of the environmental portraits captured of the local people who’s life has helped shaped the community. It is a fascinating look into a region’s citizens and how they shape a community. Right: An Albemarle Sound skiff used and donated by brothers Walter and Ray Davenport for commercial fishing stands proudly overseeing the interior of the galley. On special occasions and perhaps by chance the duo will tell their fascinating stories tied to the waterways and land.

Native Americans are showcased with

Along the way you will meet “Hunter Jim,”

paintings of local tribes and a number of

an animatronic maniquin that speaks of the

artifacts, giving an example of how they

hunting and fishing that sportsmen encounter

created their tools and lived in harmony with

in the region.

nature.

Voiced over by Walter Davenport of local

Of course one has to add a little bootleg

fame, he and his brother, who have worked

documentation in the reveal, as in human

as commercial fishermen, share a wealth of

history the dense forests and hidden

knowledge throughout the facility.

waterways provided opportunities for a little extra money … and some extra recreation.

Displays are also included from the theater days like a projector from the old days along

The Columbia Theater Cultural Resource Center offers an insight into life influenced by land and water, along the confines of surviving with nature.

The Columbia Theater Cultural Resources Center is open from 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesday

Boldly displayed along the back wall is

with some of the folding seats, some of which

a patchwork quilt made by B.V. McClees in

still have the gum stuck to the bottom by

1888. The delicately stitched fabric is an

some dastardly villain copied from the screen.

example of life during the period, as the

The last popcorn machine from the

Columbia’s small but vibrant downtown,

patches have detailed people and plant life

operating days still serves fresh popcorn on

the theater is a must-stop for visitors who

adding an extraordinary feature to her work.

occasion when a movie is shown. It does not

are exploring the shops and galleries in the

Transportation is not forgotten, and while

take much imagination to catch the aroma

recently renovated area.

watercraft was a major means of travel, a

stirred from the old days, when the sounds of

Doward N. Jones Jr. is a longtime writer,

Model T, horse-drawn carriage and a surrey

its operation brought thoughts of a cold drink

photographer and newspaper veteran in

reveal a variety of modes to get around.

and a box added to the evening.

Washington County.

32

through Friday, and Saturday hours are seasonal.

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35

edgecombe county e d g e combe count y

Story by Amelia Harper Photos by Sarah Louya

Blount-Bridgers House

Two museums in one

V

isitors

to

the

Blount-

Army during the Revolutionary War. The

Bridgers House are able to

home was purchased by Col. Louis Wilson,

Hobson was a renowned artist and art

view two museums in one.

a former North Carolina state senator for

teacher in the mid 20th century. Much of

second floor of the home.

The first story of the

whom Wilson County was named. It was

his career was spent in the Philadelphia area

19th century Federal-style

later owned by Col. John Luther Bridgers,

and he served for a time on the faculty of

plantation house located at 130 Bridgers

who served as commandant of Fort Macon

the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of

St. in Tarboro reveals some of Edgecombe

during the Civil War.

Fine Arts, which is known as the oldest art

County’s most historic treasures, including portraits,

furnishings,

documents

The upper story of the home features

school in the world.

and

artwork by Pittman, who lived from 1899 to

historic maps. The second story of the

1972, Though Pittman himself never lived in

paintings in the Blount-Bridgers house, the

museum houses the permanent collection

the Blount-Bridgers House, two of his early

historic home also occasionally features

of Tarboro native artist Hobson Pittman.

In

addition

to

the

many

Hobson

teachers did. The house now contains may

exhibits from local, regional, national and

The Blount-Bridgers House was built

of Pittman’s personal items, including his

international artists. These are displayed in

about 1808 by Thomas Blount, a prominent

easel and his palette, which still contains

the upper gallery, which is sometimes used

Edgecombe

businessman,

paint colors originally created by him. These

by the town for social events.

congressman and officer in the Continental

items are in a replica artist’s studio on the

36

County

The Blount-Bridgers House was originally

The Blount-Bridgers House is located at 130 Bridgers St. in Tarboro.

built on 296 acres of land, much of which is now home to the town’s historic district.

The 45-block historic district surrounds the Tarboro Town Common, a feature of many towns in the past and one that Tarboro retains today. Visitors to the museum may want to drive through the historic district and visit the war memorial on the Town Common.

As an added incentive to paranormal enthusiasts, the house is said to be haunted!

The House and the Hobson Pittman gallery are usually open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Special tours are available by appointment.

Admission to the museum is free for

Tarboro

residents.

Other

visitors

are asked to contribute a $5 donation toward its upkeep. For information on times and exhibits, go to https://www. edgecombearts.org/ or call Curator Carol Banks at 252-823-4159.

Amelia Harper is a Staff Writer for the Rocky Mount Telegram and Eastern Living Magazine.

37

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Take a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk, dine in the the restaurants, shop in the wonderful shops and take time to explore the museums.

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Bertie County

where

The Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce represents and advocates business interests, promotes economic growth, provides leadership in community affairs, enhances the quality of life for the people of Bertie County and provides services and programs for its members.

In

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Bertie Ledger–Advance

Community News at your Fingertips

Thadd White Editor twhite@ncweeklies.com

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Michelle Leicester Creative Services Director mleicester@ncweeklies.com Jessica Mobley Advertising Manager jmobley@ncweeklies.com

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43

washington county w a sh ing ton count y

Story & Photos

By Sarah Hodges Stalls

Port O’Plymouth Museum History lives along the Roanoke

Visitors can see a unique replica of the CSS Albemarle, which was commissioned on April 16, 1864. The vessel got it’s start in Scotland Neck, NC and was send down the Roanoke River.

F

or nearly three decades, a special collection of local history has been growing at the Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke River

Museum in Washington County.

Executive

Director

Elizabeth

and well documented.”

For a small museum, the Port O’ Plymouth facility offers a great deal of detail and history.

center of the Battle of Plymouth. The replica ship is a premier feature of the museum and historical ties around the area.

Armed with a history degree and a desire to

Many local people do not realize the story of

work in a museum, Freier joined the Plymouth

the CSS Albemarle began down east, literally

Freier

facility in September 2017. To hear her discuss

from the ground up. The Confederacy granted

explained what makes this local collection so

the rich history of Plymouth, one would think

an 1863 contract to a North Carolina solider to

special.

she has been around much longer.

build the ironclad ram. Gilbert Elliott, then only

“A lot of what we have here on display is

The CSS Albemarle was considered one of

19 years old, managed the construction largely

real, not replicas,” she said, “found in this area

the “most successful ironclads” and was at the

“in a cornfield in Halifax County.” The intended

44

Five US Naval ships have been named after Lt. William Cushing, the original owner of the footlocker on display at the Port O’Plymouth.

destination would be the Albemarle

long, 45 feet wide with a draft of 8

and Pamlico sounds. The historic

feet. Although the 18-foot ram was

vessel would see its beginning and its

the Albemarle’s primary weapon, the

end in eastern North Carolina.

vessel was also outfitted with six-

In March 1864, the CSS Albemarle

gun ports and two rotating eight-inch

launched downriver to Hamilton.

Brooke rifled guns. The two engines,

On April 16, 1864, the Albemarle was

built by Elliot out of an assortment of

commissioned and deployed directly

odds and ends, were 200 horsepower

to Plymouth on the Roanoke River.

each, according to the North Carolina

Completed, the ship was 152 feet

When you visit the Port of Plymouth Museum, ask about the story of Edward N. Boots. You may even get to meet one of his multiple great grandsons.

This story is a favorite of the museum staff.

Highway Historical Marker Program.

“Williamston

There was a strong Union

played

an

important role in the Battle of Plymouth,” Freier said. “The boat

presence along the Roanoke

that sunk the Albemarle stopped

River at the time. Money was

On the way, there was a party

made by trade along the river and the federal port. Many chose to support where their

in Hamilton then Williamston. held because they were going to sink the Albemarle.”

There was a strong Union presence along the Roanoke

money was coming from.

45

A treasured item on display at the Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke River Museum is an 1848 American Flag which flew over Plymouth.

Handsewn, it remains in good condition. “I cannot imagine how long it took someone to hand sew that,” explained Elizabeth Freier, Executive Director.

River at the time. Money was made by trade along the river and the federal port. Many chose to support where their money was coming from.

“Washington County was then split 50-50 between Union and Confederate supporters,” Freier said.

Another unique story housed in the Port O’ Plymouth is that of Lt. William L. Cushing, who led the raid that sunk the Albemarle.

“Lt. William Barker Cushing of New York survived the attack. He swam to this side and hid up Conaby Creek,” Freier said. “He later gave a man $20 and a page out of a Bible to see if the Albemarle had sunk. Once confirmed, Cushing stole a rowboat and made his way to the sound and Union vessels.”

There is much more to the story of Cushing.

Visitors can see his foot locker, which is on loan to the museum from his ancestors, who reside in eastern North Carolina.

Down the road, there are plans to build a

Listening to Elizabeth Freier talk about local history, one would think she is a life long local. She has truly immersed herself and her love of history into the subject of the museum. efforts with the town to seek out grant funding

its related activities is invited to contact Freier

to make this a reality.

at the museum, which is located at 302 East

“We are very fortunate to have great support from both the town of Plymouth and Washington County,” she said.

new building for the Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke

Anyone interested in becoming a part of the

River Museum. According to Freier, there are

Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke River Museum and

46

Water St. Call the museum at 252-793-1377 or email admin@portoplymouthmuseum.org.

Sarah Hodges Stalls is a regular contributor to Eastern Living Magazine.

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47

halifax county h a lifax count y

Story & Photos

By Thadd White

Roanoke Canal Museum

The world’s longest museum - quite literally

T

he Roanoke Canal was a feature of human ingenuity and engineering in the 19th century.

Thanks to the feat of developing the canal, goods could be shipped down the Roanoke River and still avoid the rapids in Halifax County. It was developed to allow goods to be shipped from the Virginia mountains to Norfolk, Va. and all points in between.

The canal construction was completed in 1823 and remains well-maintained, including the seven-mile walking trail, which is original to the canal.

bypassed the Roanoke River.”

The Roanoke Canal contains some of the most impressive and best-preserved early 19th century canal contraction in the nation, according to the Roanoke Canal Commission. It was originally built as the North Carolina segment of the Roanoke Navigation System.

The canal begins a mile and a half from the Roanoke River Dam and continues to the boat landing in Weldon with six access points along the way.

Visitors to the museum get the best of both worlds – they can take an inside tour of the history of the canal and then go outside and see its beauty for themselves.

“Our visitors can come in and really see firsthand how the canal was used,” Newsome said.

“It is also a unique experience to go to the lower level and see and feel they are in a power plant, which was operated in the 1900s.”

The museum covers the entire history of the canal, from when it was completed in 1823 to its use for commerce and then its conversion for The long and storied history of the canal is told well at the Roanoke Canal Museum, which may be the largest museum in the world.

Nestled in Roanoke Rapids, The Roanoke Canal Museum is in a former power plant, which was on the canal, but sprawls seven miles through a walking trail maintained by the museum.

“We have a wonderful museum which details the history of the canal, but the most unique part is the seven-mile walking trail,” Roanoke Canal Museum Director Ryan Newsome said. “It is the original toe path followed down the canal when people

Top left: This hole in the wall of the Roanoke Canal Museum is where water used to rush into the facility when it was a power plant. Now visitors can walk through it. Bottom right: A light which shows is used to demonstrate how power was made when the museum was an electrical plant.

48

use as a power plant in the late 1800s and early 1900s once railroads made river navigation all but obsolete.

The museum is housed in a former power plant built in 1900. The multi-story structure shows the history of the museum in the top floor with both static and hands-on exhibits that delight visitors whether they are school age or adults.

There are four video presentations inside the museum and three other interactive exhibits.

More than 3,000 people tour the museum over the course of any year, but the number expands exponentially when the outside trail is added as more between 25,000 and 40,000 people per year walk the trails of the museum.

“We have hikers, bikers and those who just walk down the paths,” Newsome said. “The trail is extremely popular. It is very scenic and fairly flat, so most anyone can enjoy it.”

One of the newest programs offered by the museum is the bicycle loaner program. It allows visitors to simply leave their license and borrow a bicycle to bike the path.

“We have a lot of people who are pleased with the idea,” Newsome said. “They come and would like to bike the trail, but very few people actually have their bicycle, so we loan them one.”

There are suggested walks and rides on the paths, which range from 1.5 to 3.2 miles and range in time from 15 to 45 minutes.

Visitors to the museum vary from local folks making a first or repeat visit to those who stop at the Halifax County Welcome Center and decide to visit after reading about the Roanoke Canal or the museum itself.

People wishing to attend can do so by taking a self-guided tour or by arranging a guided tour.

Admission to the museum is $2 for Halifax County residents and $4 for others. Guided

tours are an additional $2 per person with a $20 minimum and should be arranged in advance.

Some of the yearly highlights at the museum include a quarterly Night at the Museum where children are invited to come to the museum and participate in crafts and a pizza party. There is also the annual Christmas at the Canal.

This year, the canal will again host a halfmarathon/8K event on March 30. More information will be available on the Roanoke Canal Museum Facebook page at www.facebook. com/roanokecanalmuseum.

The museum is located at 15 Jackson St. Ext. in Roanoke Rapids. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday of each week.

The Roanoke Canal Museum is a partnership between the Roanoke Canal Commission Inc., the city of Roanoke Rapids, town of Weldon, Halifax County Tourism Development Authority and others.

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern Living Magazine, the Bertie Ledger-Advance in Windsor and the Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald in Williamston.

Top Left: There are a variety of video displays in the Roanoke Canal Museum.

Top Right: The Batteaux is the only one on display at the museum. Bottom right: A display allows visitors to push a button to see how electricity is delivered.

49

beaufort county b e a uf or t count y

Story & Photos

By Jim Green

Washington Underground Railroad Museum History told in bright orange railroad caboose

A

bright orange railroad caboose sits on a piece of track in downtown Washington at the corner of West Main and Gladden streets.

The caboose is the current home of the Washington Underground Railroad Museum and holds more than 250 years of history of the men and women who sacrificed to escape to freedom from slavery.

The museum is a pictorial history of slavery in Washington and Beaufort County. Its mission is to explore slavery and North Carolina slaves escape to freedom.

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safehouses established in

50

1

2

the United States during the early to mid-19th century. It was used by African-American slaves to escape into free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies, both black and white as well as free and enslaved, who helped the fugitives.

How did Washington become part of the Underground Railroad?

The North Carolina coastal town served as a destination for freedom seekers throughout the state and region.

The waterfront created many opportunities for slaves to find passage to their next destination.

Leesa Jones, a local historian and the director of the museum, did extensive research of

300-plus years of African-American history in Washington and created a walking tour a few years ago.

“People that didn’t live in the vicinity of Washington heard about the tour and asked me if I would put the information on a web site,” Jones said. “I did a Facebook page and the National Parks Service got wind of it.”

In the mid-19th century, Washington – the second largest port in the state at that time (Wilmington was first) had dozens of ships entering and exiting every day from ports up and down the eastern seaboard as well as from the West Indies, Cuba, South America and England, among other places.

Before the Civil War, Washington was known

1) William Still, an African-American abolitionist from Philadelphia and conductor on the Underground Railroad.

2) Leesa Jones and her husband, Milton, outside the Washington Underground Railroad Museum.

3) Leesa Jones stands inside the Washington Underground Railroad Museum 4) Some of the source information used to document the Underground Railroad and its connection to Washington.

to all slave owners and slaves for its shipbuilding and its busy port shipping plantation goods and harvests.

The maritime industry was an important source for spreading information as well as offering employment and transportation.

“Shipping traffic on the waterfront was instrumental in helping enslaved people to gain their freedom through flight or escape to points north, south and to other countries,” Jones said.

Whether it was sympathetic white abolitionists, underground railroad ‘conductors’ (who could also be free-born blacks, former slaves or Native Americans), they were willing to help runaways find a safe haven until they were able to board their vessel to freedom.

Jones gave the National Parks Service her information, mainly about the waterfront and two other communities, and the Parks Service named the Washington waterfront as an Underground Railroad to Freedom site in September 2014.

“There were very few artifacts then because most slaves escaped with literally the clothes on their backs,” Jones said.

Much of the documentation in the museum came from old Washington newspapers, university libraries and online newspapers from all over North Carolina, Jones said. She

4

3 estimated she has collected more than 1,000 such advertisements about runaway slaves.

“These are our original source documents,” she said. “Census records also contained information.”

An abolitionist, under the guise of what a plantation owner would need at the time (preacher, blacksmith, seamstress, midwife) would make contact with a slave. Over time, after they both began to trust each other, they’d develop a plan for the slave’s escape.

“It sometimes would take a while because they had to be careful,” Jones said. “They couldn’t let people know what they were planning. It was all very secretive.”

Slaves learned how to read and write and how to create their own passes (a signed document by the slave owner that gave the

slave permission to be off the plantation for a certain amount of time).

“Though the slave owner wrote most of the passes, many slaves wrote their own passes that looked legit,” Jones said. “The ingenuity they had to come up with to do what they needed to do was amazing.”

Everything – whether it was a song, a product (like black eyed peas) or any other image – had a double meaning, and most of them had a short shelf life.

“It took an incredible amount of ingenuity and creativity for these people to take simple everyday items and make codes to educate themselves and everybody else … in order that they could get to freedom,” Jones said.

Adding to the convenience of the waterfront,

The caboose is the current home of the Washington Underground Railroad Museum and holds more than 250 years of history of the men and women who sacrificed to escape to freedom from slavery.

51

the area was home to many abolitionists who would offer their assistance. The community of Keysville, which still exists today, was established just east of what is now Vidant

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Beaufort Hopsital and was known as a haven in which slaves could receive help.

In addition to Keysville, there were more than 140 plantations in the Washington area, and often times escaped people could blend in with the general population.

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slaves risking everything for their personal freedom,

the

Washington

Underground

Railroad Museum is part of a large network of people helping people.

“They all played a role in helping a freedom seeker make it to freedom,” Jones said. “That’s how it got its name.”

Jones said one of the main goals of the museum is to educate people on the Underground Railroad and how it worked.

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people to take away a sense of pride in their history,” she said. “A lot of people come in and are ashamed to admit their ancestors were slave owners or slaves. Part of us educating them is telling them that not all slave owners were horrible people. Washington and Beaufort counties had huge agricultural concerns. Many bought slaves because they had harvests and needed people.”

Some slave owners let their slaves have parties, while another slave owner impregnated a slave and had four daughters by her – and he

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The Washington Underground Railroad Museum has been open since late summer of 2016. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and other times by appointment. There is no admission charge, but donations are accepted.

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Astonished at the attention Lucille Staten (the most sought-after woman around and beautiful beyond description) is giving him at the ball, Jacob Parker agrees to retrieve her wrap from her bedroom, although he knew he shouldn’t go there. When she follows and they’re caught, he’s forced to marry her. However, he still has hopes for a happy future together as he and her father make plans for the young couple to head west on the Oregon Trail.

The trail holds many more dangers than either Faith or Jacob imagined, and tragic circumstances throw them together. Can Jacob accept his second chance for love, and can Faith move past her marriage of convenience that crushed childhood fantasies? Even more pressing, will they survive the mounting hardships to have a future?

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gates county g ate s count y

Story by Thadd White

Upcoming Thad Eure Museum

T

he “oldest rat” will soon have a new “barn.”

Those familiar with state history know well the self-depreciating humor which made Thad Eure beloved among North

Carolinians. The self-proclaimed “oldest rat in the Democratic barn” served citizens as N.C. Secretary of State for 53 years, winning an unprecedented 13 terms in office.

Some may not know one of North Carolina’s most beloved public servants was a native of Gates County, where he spent his formative years and graduated from Gatesville High School.

Soon, the people of Gates County and the surrounding region will have a museum which will honor Eure’s legacy, and tell the story of his life.

Linda Hofler, a retired teacher who currently serves as chair of the Gates County Board of Commissioners, said the future home of the museum will be in the second floor of the old county courthouse.

Hofler, who taught a class on Gates County history, and her students have helped lead efforts to honor Eure, including the long-awaited placing of a Historical Marker in his honor this summer.

Also instrumental has been the Gates County Historical Society, which has garnered a collection of memorabilia, artifacts and photos from the late public

54

servant to display for those who want to learn more about this life.

The museum has been delayed by the structure itself, which has had to be almost completely

rebuilt.

While

working

on

the museum, a crack appeared in the old courthouse wall and it took time to figure out its cause and how to repair it.

“Eventually, they tore down that wing

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Now that the structure is nearing completion, work is soon to start on having

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the museum located there. It will include many personal items, including Eure’s trademark bowtie and straw hat. There will also be photos of him in his various functions while serving in state government.

Eure was born in Gates County and

Village

was valedictorian of his graduation class at Gatesville High School. He went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, while taking a break to serve in the U.S. Army.

Eure was elected Mayor of Winton before serving as a member of the N.C. General Assembly.

In 1936, Eure ran for Secretary of State on the platform of “give a young man a chance,” and was elected to the post of Nov. 3, 1936.

He remained in office until his retirement in 1989.

In 1987, President Ronald W. Reagan honored Eure for holding public office longer than any official in U.S. history.

In addition to being known for hats and ties, Eure was famous for signing in green ink.

Hofler said the historical society hopes to open the museum this calendar year, but details about hours and days remain a few months away.

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern Living Magazine, the Bertie Ledger-Advance and the Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald.

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Museum of the

Tish Rivas, an information specialist at Museum of the Albemarle, welcomes guests to the “Life in the Albemarle� exhibit. Learn how early communities evolved in the Albemarle.

Agriculture was essential to the development of communities across the Albemarle. The advancement of machinery led to a reduction of manual labor tasks and increased the productivity of food and fibers.

56

Albemarle Story and Photos

by Kesha Williams

I

f you have ever welcomed

heirlooms. Some residents donate items

family or friends to the

significant to the region’s history to MOA for the

Albemarle

and

ongoing education of the public. According to

wondered where a sightseeing

Lori Meads, museum educator, MOA serves its

region

tour should begin, you are not alone.

Each year, thousands of residents resolve that dilemma by leading guests to the Museum

of the people living nearby.

“We

represent

13

counties

in

of the Albemarle (MOA) in Elizabeth City.

northeastern North Carolina. We look for topics

Their regional collections and rotating exhibits

related to the history of those counties or

provide locals and guests with stunning

topics that relate to a current or recent exhibit,”

developments which make this region an extraordinary place to live and work.

Just inside the lobby of the museum, visitors discover the official state historic boat of North Carolina - the shad. The model on display was built in 1904. It is a long-term exhibit with no closing date.

In order to amuse a wide range of visitors, the curators maintain a detailed list of exhibits The history of the Albemarle can’t be fully explored without noting the importance of religion to area residents. According to museum staff, this 1905 model organ (Williams Organ Company) was used in the Piney Woods Meeting House in Belvidere, N.C. until it was donated to the museum in 2004.

greatest purpose by representing the interests

that have closing dates. Some patrons visit the museum two to four times a year yet depart amazed by the new details they learned about the Albemarle.

History lunch and learn sessions, book reviews, fashion workshops relevant to the Harlem Renaissance are just a few examples of the events found on the museum’s event calendar.

In 2019, kids will celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by reviewing the author’s classic book titles. Baby Boomers will take a trip down memory lane while viewing an exhibit, “The Boomer List.”

History buffs should mark their calendars for March 6 to learn how World War I impacted North Carolina.

Meads said.

Whether patrons collect the museum’s program calendars or visit the website, they will find plenty of reasons to make a return visit.

Group tours and individual tours are welcome throughout the year. Groups of 10 or more can be scheduled in advance.

See the museum’s website for a list of relevant tourism sites and historic book references. MOA is located at 501 South Water Street in Elizabeth City. The museum is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on state approved holidays.

The Museum of the Albemarle is part of the Division of State History Museums in the Office of Archives and History of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. website: https://www.museumofthealbemarle.com Find

more

information

on

the

museum’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/ MuseumoftheAlbemarle or relay your question to the staff by phone: 252-335-1453 The museum is located near Elizabeth City’s waterfront where patrons can enjoy the view of

The Museum of the Albemarle makes

the Pasquotank River, dock or launch a boat, or

history each year for patrons who rent the

enjoy packed lunches at nearby Charles Creek

facility as the site of their holiday celebrations,

Park.

live performances, awards ceremonies or symposiums.

The museum is also a resource where area residents can learn how to preserve family

Kesha Williams is a contributor to Eastern Living Magazine, and has been published in newspapers and magazines in North Carolina and Tennessee.

57

Little Known Museums across the State Story by Janice Hopkins

North Carolina is blessed with numerous museums across the state. Here are some many may not be familiar, with but may want to visit: THE CRYPTOZOOLOGY AND PARANORMAL MUSEUM 328 Mosley Avenue, Littleton, NC 631-220-1231 Perhaps one of the most unusual museums in North Carolina is the Cryptozoology and Paranormal Museum in Littleton. By its own definition, it is “dedicated to the study and display of creatures and phenomena not recognized by traditional science.” This includes Bigfoot with some of his footprints, haunted dolls and their history, UFO sightings, and paranormal investigations. Founded by Stephen Barcelo, the museum is normally open from 1-7 p.m., Monday - Sunday.

Some of the Bigfoot investigation centers in and around Medoc Mountain State Park in Hollister, NC, where there have been sightings of the giant creature. This area is also where most of the footprint castings in the exhibits were taken. In fact, the museum has Bigfoot kits you can purchase for just such an activity.

Sometimes the museum staff even conducts ghost tours and meter the amount of activity. Enthusiasts come to scheduled activities from far and near. Specters and spirits have also been reported to attend, so beware.

TAXIDERMY HALL OF FAME 156 NW Broad Street, Southern Pines, NC 910-692-3471 If you like creatures, you might want to check out the Taxidermy Hall of Fame in Southern Pines. Oddly enough, it’s housed in a Christian bookstore. As such, it states upfront that its main purpose is to put the focus on the story of creation in Genesis. It does have an exhibit case to give evidence for evolution. That case is completely empty.

What it also has are about 200 displays of every animal in North Carolina that’s legal for them to have. Some of these have won state and national awards.

But stuffed animals aren’t the only things they exhibit. There’s also a section for antique tools and other items of interest. In fact, sometimes the museum title is given as “Taxidermy Hall of Fame of NC / Antique Tool / Creation Museum.” With such a variety, it might be a good place to take the family. There should be something to interest everyone.

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ELSEWHERE COLLABORATIVE 606 S. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 336-907-3271 This museum began a thrift store, and Sylvia Gray ran it for fiftyeight years. When she died in 1997, she left a jumble of objects covering three floors of the store. Her grandson, artist George Scheer, began organizing the collection into something more aesthetically pleasing.

What evolved is both a museum and art organization.

Renamed “Elsewhere,” it is a place where artists can come, work, and use their creative skills to create something different from the items they find there; or the public can come to see the displays. Memberships are available. Call for details because Elsewhere is certainly something different.

KORNER’S FOLLY 413 S. Main Street, Kernersville, NC Jule Gilmer Korner, an artist and designer, built a 6,000 sq. ft.

Victorian, brick home in Kernersville in 1880. The twenty-two room house boasts of many unusual architectural details. For example, the three floors have fifteen unique fireplaces. He originally built it to showcase his talent and help his business, but after marrying and having a family, he turned it into his private residence. If you like architecture, interior design, or historic houses, this is a must-see.

WHIRLIGIG PARK AND MUSEUM 301 Goldsboro Street, South, Wilson, NC 252-243-8440 Just like the name indicates, Whirligig Park is all about whirligigs, those fascinating creations that work with the wind. However, many of those in the park are large and made from industrial parts.

When Vollis Simpson retired from repairing farm machinery, he started making huge whirligigs. He worked on them every day until his death at age ninety-four.

At first, his displays just attracted the local people. However, without any advertising, his work was soon attracting out-of-state visitors as well. Soon, Simpson’s farm became one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Wilson County.

As Simpson’s health declined, he wasn’t able to maintain the large structures, some of which rose for fifty feet. In 2018, town leaders decided to establish the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum and obtained grants to help make it happen. Vollis was delighted all his hard work would live on after him. The park is available for rent to individuals and groups.

Janice Cole Hopkins is a professional writer with numerous published books, and is a regular contributor to Eastern Living Magazine.

59

Grandma’s Kitchen My mother, like her mother before

for the time spent working in it.

FRIED CORN

her, had a large garden. Unlike her

Flowers or vegetables are both

Fry about three slices of streak-of-lean.

mother, the garden was my mother’s

beautiful and practical. Both beauty and

Remove the meat and add kernels from

place to retreat and find peace after a

food are necessary for happiness I think.

about 12 ears of corn to the grease. Fry

hard day at work.

Mama planted flowers at the edge of

and stirr, until it all turns a little brown.

In her garden she could shake off

her garden. Thus her table was set with

Add about a half cup of water, cover and

the stress of work and relax. Working

flowers to please the eye and food that

steam at low temperature until water is

in the dirt is an age-old therapy. I have

was fresh and delectable.

gone. Add salt and pepper and serve.

felt it many times. I hope you have

We enjoyed everything the garden

You can cook grated cabbage the same

experienced it too. If not, you should try

offered, but the thing my dad and I

way and it is the best cabbage you will

it.

loved most was fried corn.

ever eat.

The wonderful thing about working in the soil is that it gives blessings

As a matter of fact, once when mama

The other thing mama made that was

had to have surgery, we ate

close in running with the corn was her

only fried corn for dinner.

homemade rolls.

Like two naughty children

These were always made for Sunday

– because mama would

dinner. She always had it ready at

never approve of a supper

lunchtime and we ate it again for dinner.

with only corn – we

In the summer when the garden was

gathered corn, shucked,

in, we had a table full. She would

silked and cut it off the

usually cook a ham and have potato

ears. Dad fried it just like

salad, deviled eggs, sliced tomatoes,

he saw mama do it. It

cucumbers in vinegar and green beans.

was an absolute feast.

She often made a banana pudding for dessert. Her pudding was the lightest I

This is the way

ever ate.

mama did it.

Sylvia Hughes with her mother, Wanda Scott.

60

These are her recipes for rolls and the

ICE BOX ROLLS

pudding part of her banana pudding just

Dissolve 2 packets of yeast in 1 cup of

She gave no instructions for cooking, but

as she wrote them.

warm water. Let cool.

I would guess about 20 minutes at 350

Put 1 cup of lard, ½ cup of sugar and 2

degrees.

tablespoons of salt in a bowl.

Hope this brings back happy memories

Small can of milk

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over this and

of your family meals. There is no joy

Two cans of water (measured from the

mix.

greater than sitting down together as

milk can)

Add two well beaten eggs and mix.

a family, sharing a good meal, love and

3 egg yolks (Save whites for the

Add yeast mixture and stir.

laughter.

meringue)

Add around 8 cups of flour, more or less,

1 cup of sugar

depending on what it takes to make soft

2 level tablespoons of corn starch

dough.

editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In

Mix and cook on medium heat on stove

Cover and put in ice box for four hours

addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of

until thickened.

or overnight.

grandchildren, many of whom love cooking

Roll out and cut like biscuits.

with her just as she did with her mother and

Put two in each section of a muffin pan.

grandmother.

VANILLA PUDDING

cooking.

Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper

Grease top and let rise two hours before

ed flo cott) plant S a d n a (W Mama

arden.

g wers in her

Sylvia H

ughes w

ith her g

randmot

her, Ber tie

Damero n.

61

ALL IN A

Day’s Trip

One of the displays in the museum highlights the relationship between Ava and Gregory Peck.

The Ava Gardner

Museum Story & Photos by Jim Green

62

I

t all started with a kiss more than

beginnings of the museum. Over the years, it

local country girl to one of Hollywood’s film

75 years ago.

has become home to an incredible collection

goddesses.

Tom Banks, then a 12-year-old

of artifacts including original scripts, photos,

“I think Tom started collecting before she

boy, was playing on the campus of Atlantic

costumes and personal effects of the screen

got famous,” Seabold said. “As time went on,

Christian College (now Barton College) in

legend.

I am sure more money was put out, as things

Wilson, where Ava Gardner was studying to become a secretary in 1940.

Tom and his friends would pick on tomboy Ava and her classmates, calling them their “girlfriends.”

One day, in retaliation, Ava chased Tom That made quite an impression on the young lad. He wondered about Ava when she didn’t return to college the following year. In the late summer of 1941, Banks saw a picture of Ava in a newspaper and learned she had signed a movie contract with MGM. Overwhelmed he knew someone who had gone to Hollywood, his fascination with her began.

Banks’ admiration for Gardner grew to the point where he and his family started collecting every bit of memorabilia they could from as many sources as possible.

That was the beginning of Museum,

and collections tend to be more expensive

founder of the museum and his lifelong

when people pass away. He continued

commitment to Ava’s memory.

his collection while she was still alive and

Those who visit the museum can learn about Ava’s life – her rise to fame from a

down, caught him and gave him a smooch.

Gardner

One of the exhibits honors Banks as the

which

the Ava

is

located

downtown at 325 East Market St. just a mile from I-95, Exit 95.

“I’d like to say that the kiss she gave Tom started his collection,” said Lynell Seabold, the director of the museum. “He had a little crush on her at that time, and he started collecting everything he could get his hands on. Over the years it grew and grew.”

The museum showcases the life of Gardner, who was born Dec. 24, 1922, just seven miles east of Smithfield in a crossroads community called Grabtown – though many refer to it as Brogden.

Much of Banks’ collection made up the

Ava Gardner Museum Director Lynell Seabold stands with a display of the acclaimed movie actress.

63

becoming a star.”

Much of what Banks collected is no

longer displayed because it is too fragile to

died just five days after Banks, on Jan. 25,

October 2000 and features more than

put out, Seabold said.

1990.

20,000 artifacts.

“A lot of stuff we have now are things we

Banks’ wife, Lorraine, donated her

Gardner starred in more than 59 feature

have collected or what people have given

late husband’s collection to the town of

films with Hollywood royalty such as Clark

us,” she added. “Different family members

Smithfield, being assured a permanent

Gable, Grace Kelly and Gregory Peck.

have been kind enough to sell, give or loan

museum would be maintained in Johnston

items to us – but Tom’s items are the genesis

County, Gardner’s birthplace and final resting

of this museum.”

place. Mrs. Banks died a year and three days

The origins of the museum go back to the

later, on Jan. 28, 1991.

early 1980s, when Banks, a psychologist,

In August 1999, the museum’s board of

purchased the Brogden Teacherage, the

directors made an investment in downtown

house where Ava lived from ages 2 to 13.

Smithfield by purchasing and renovating a

He operated his own museum there in the

6,500-square-foot building that became

summers for nine years.

the permanent home for the museum’s

Banks suffered a stroke in August 1989 and passed away a few days later. Gardner

collection.

The current location has been open since

She was married three times to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra.

The museum showcases Ava’s relationships with these and other stars with artifacts from Sinatra, Kelly, Peck, John Huston and others.

“A lot of items came from family members and ones who were or have been board members of the years,” Seabold said.

There

are

one-of-a-kind

costumes,

personal items like a letter Kelly wrote to Ava and many other artifacts chronicling her life.

“We are based in her hometown, so we have stuff from when she was a child, from before she became famous,” Seabold said.

“Ava and her family were very close and down to earth, and we have that connection to her personal life, her career and even after her career. We’ve even borrowed a few things because we have a good relationship with our fans. That’s what makes our museum unique in my opinion.”

One of the more rare items on display is a Derringer gun given to Ava and other members of the cast of “Night of the Iguana” by director John Huston.

“It’s one of my favorite artifacts,” Seabold said.

Everything on display is authentic with the exception of one item – a replica of the dress Ava wore in the movie “The Killers.”

“No one has been able to track down that dress,” Seabold said. “In 2017, we contracted with a designer who recreated the dress. We are very clear that it’s a recreation and we don’t present it as an original.”

Upon arriving at the museum, visitors will be greeted with a 15-minute introductory video on Ava’s life, which just begins to tell her story. There are more than a dozen exhibits starting with her early childhood, attending college, her discovery by MGM, her movie

A movie poster for “The Killers.”

64

career and marriages and life in Spain and

at her brother’s hamburger

London.

restaurant down the road. She

“I feel our presentation is very classy and

wanted to come home and be

there is a lot of beauty in the items displayed,”

a normal girl – just Ava, not the

Seabold said.

movie star.”

Gardner may have become a famous

With so many things to

movie star, but when away from Hollywood,

take in, Seabold recommends

she just wanted to be Ava.

visitors plan at least an hour

“I think (this) is a microcosm of what Johnston County and North Carolina life

“

stay to get the full effect of what they read, see and hear.

was like back then – she grew up during big

Seabold said the success of

tobacco,” Seabold said. “We learn what it

the museum is due to the staff,

Those who visit the museum can learn about Ava’s life – her rise to fame from a

”

local country girl to one of

Hollywood’s film goddesses.

The dress Ava Gardner wore for her movie “The Killers” was recreated for the museum.

was like to be in that environment and what

board of directors and family, friends and fans.

Admission to the museum is $10 for adults,

it was like to be a movie star – one person

“They are why we are as successful as we

$9 for seniors/military and groups of 15 or

encompassed both roles.

“Ava would come home and flip burgers

are,” she said, noting the museum attracts between 6,000 to 10,000 visitors per year. “We are so blessed to work with people who have been involved with this museum for more than 20 years – they had a vision.”

A heritage tour is also available, where groups of 10 or more with their own transportation can see all of the important places in Ava’s life –

more and $6 for children ages 6-12.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2-5 p.m. on Sundays.

Merchandise is available for purchase at the museum and online.

For more information about the nonprofit museum, visit www.avagardner.org or call 919934-5830.

Jim Green is Sports Editor of the Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald in Williamston,

her birthplace, the teacherage,

the Bertie Ledger-Advance in Windsor and the

Howell Theatre and her grave

Standard Laconic in Snow Hill, and a Staff Writer

site at Sunset Memorial Park.

for Eastern Living Magazine.

The Derringer gun John Huston presented to Ava Gardner.

65

&

OUT ABOUT! Out & About is a listing of events happening in and around the 12 counties which make up the

coverage region for North Carolina’s Eastern Living Magazine. Those wishing to have an event listed should sent it to: Eastern Living, Attn: Out

& About, P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983. Email events to Thadd White at twhite@ncweeklies.com.

Jan. 18 The Blues Brothers’ The Turnage Theatre will host ‘The Blues Brothers’ at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. For more information, call 252-946-2504.

focus. This exhibition is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Green Hall Art Gallery. For more information, contact Rob Buller at (252) 6427168 or buller@chowan.edu.

Jan. 18-19 Truck & Tractor Pull The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston will host the Big Daddy Motorsports Truck & Tractor Pull. For more information, visit www.bigdaddymotorsports.org or call Ken Whitley at 252-207-9098.

Jan. 24-27 Book Sale The Annual Friends of the Brown Library Book Sale will be held Thursday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Washington Civic Center.

For more information, call 252-946-4300.

Jan. 19 Royal Court Gala The Beaufort County Arts Council will host the Royal Court Gala at 7 p.m. at the Turnage Theatre. For more information, call 252-9462504.

Jan. 24 to Feb. 28 49th Annual Student Art Exhibition The Department of Communication Arts at Chowan University will present the 49th Annual Student Art Exhibition featuring individual bodies of original works in a wide variety of media, depending on the student’s artistic, and aesthetic 66

Jan. 27 Mallard Creek Hike A Mallard Creek Hike is planned for 2 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 27 at Goose Creek State Park. Join a ranger on an easy half-mile hike through pine hardwood forests, which end at a small overlook on Mallard Creek. Visitors are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear and bring water and binoculars. Meet in the parking lot of the state park, which is located at 2190 Camp Leach Rd. in Washington.

Reading With A Ranger Join a Park Ranger for Reading with A Ranger,

Keepers of Faith will be peforming at SeniorFEST on March 26, 2019 at Chowan University.

the story of the fox at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Visitor’s Center of Medoc Mountain State Park. The suggested audience is those 5 to 10 years of age. Space is limited, so RSVP by Jan. 26. Medoc Mountain State Park is located at 1541 Medoc State Park Rd. in Hollister.

Jan. 29 N.C. Duck Stamp Competition The North Carolina Duck Stamp Competition will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Washington Civic Center.

Feb. 1 The Barter Players Returns The Edgecombe Performance Series will host the Barter Players “The Scarlet Letter” at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Feb. 1 at the Edgecombe Community College Campus, 2009 W. Wilson St. in Tarboro.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased by mail or in person at the ECC Box Office or through www.etix.com. For more information, contact Eric Greene at 252-823-5166, ext. 187 or by email at greene@edgecombe.edu.

Feb. 2 Friends of Music Artist Series: Lisa Lowry, Soprano The Department of Music at Chowan University will present the Friends of Music Artist Series featuring Dr. Lisa Lowry, Soprano, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 in Turner Auditorium of McDowell Columns Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Marion Foster, Secretary, Department of Music, at fostem@chowan.edu or 252-398-6236.

Feb. 6 Rouson Lecture Chowan University will host the annual Reverend George T. and Luvenia B. Rouson Memorial Lecture at 11 a.m. on Feb. 6 in Turner Auditorium of McDowell Columns Hall to honor Rouson Award recipient Arwin D. Smallwood. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lou Ann Gilliam at 252-3986317 or gillil@chowan.edu.

Feb. 9 Welcome to Goose Creek A presentation introducing all the wonderful 67

&

OUT ABOUT! things available at Goose Creek State Park will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 beginning at the visitor center. Goose Creek State Park is located at 2190 Camp Leach Rd. in Washington.

Hot Wheels (Trash to Treasure) Join a park ranger as he discusses the effects of littering on the environment at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9 at Medoc Mountain State Park.

Enjoy creating a self-propelled vehicle from recycled materials. Space is limited, so RSVP by Feb. 8. Medoc Mountain State Park is located at 1541 Medoc State Park Rd. in Hollister.

Feb. 22 Terry Barber in Concert Terry Barber, a rare countertenor with vocal range and natural fluence in musical styles, will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at the Dunn Center for Performing Arts at N.C. Wesleyan College. The Center is located at 3400 North Wesleyan Blvd. in Rocky Mount. For admission information, visit: https://ncwc.edu/dunn-centerperforming-arts/how-to-order-tickets.

Feb. 23 Friends of Music Artist Series: Benjamin Thorburn, Baritone The Department of Music at Chowan University will present the Friends of Music Artist Series featuring Dr. Benjamin Thorburn, Baritone, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 in Turner Auditorium of McDowell Columns Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Marion Foster, Secretary, Department of Music, at fostem@chowan.edu or 252-398-6236.

Feb. 22-23 Rodeo The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston will host the Old Ford Volunteer Fire Department’s Survivor Series Rodeo Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23. For more

68

information, visit www.oldfordrodeo.org or call Frankie Buck at 252-946-9780.

Feb. 24 Live Oak Hike A Live Oak Hike is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 at Goose Creek State Park. Join a ranger on a leisurely stroll along Live Oak Trail. Meet in the parking lot of the state park, which is located at 2190 Camp Leach Rd. in Washington.

Feb. 26 Black History Program The Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its annual Black History Program on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Cashie Convention Center at 118 County Farm Rd. in Windsor. Meet and greet starts at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. For more information, tickets or sponsorships, call the Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce at 252-794-4277.

March 2-3 Horse Show The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston will host the Downunder Horsemanship 2019 Walkabout Tour Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3. For more information, visit downunderhorsemanship.com or call 1-888-287-7432.

March 8-10 Horse Show The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agriculture Center in Williamston will host the Virginia Reining Horse Association’s March into Spring Show & Green Reiner Festival Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10. For more information, visit www. virginiareininghorse.com or call Chris Wiley at 804-305-7398.

March 15-16 N.C. Barrel Bonanza The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center

in Williamston will host the N.C. Barrel Bonanza Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16. For more information, visit www.nc07.com or call Fred Smith at 252-883-1641.

March 19 Farmer’s Appreciation Dinner The annual Farmer’s Appreciation Dinner will be held Tuesday, March 19 at the Bertie County Senior Center (103 West School St., Windsor). The meet and greet will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m.

The Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event. All farmers and farmland owners are invited. For more information or sponsorships, call the Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce at 252-794-4277.

March 21 New York Theatre Ballet The New York Theatre Ballet will make its seventh consecutive appearance in the Edgecombe Performing Series, under the direction of founder and artistic director Diana Byer. The event will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 21 at Keihin Auditorium on the campus of Edgecombe Community College (2009 West Wilson St. Tarboro). Admission is free, but reserved seating tickets are required.

The Furman Mathewson Trust of Edgecombe County Memorial Library sponsors the event.

For more information, visit: https://www. edgecombe.edu/community/performanceseries/ March 22 through April 26 Senior Art Exhibition The Department of Communication Arts at Chowan University will host the Senior Art Exhibition to showcase the talents of graduating seniors in Communication Arts who produce their own exhibition, featuring

individual works in a wide variety of media, depending on the individual student’s artistic, technical and aesthetic focus. This exhibition is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Green Hall Art Gallery. For more information, contact Rob Buller at (252) 642-7168 or buller@chowan. edu.

March 23-24 Gaited Horse Show The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston will host the Gaited Horse Show Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24. For more information, visit www. fourbeatsforpleasure.com or call Shannon Gibbs at 919-255-0429.

March 26 SeniorFEST 2019 A Senior Adult Event at Chowan University with Special Guest Tom Key, Faith-Based Performance Artist (nationally celebrated for creating, starring in and co-authoring the musical hit, Cotton Patch Gospel), and afternoon entertainment by Keepers of Faith, Gospel Ensemble. Plus, enjoy informative breakout sessions, entertainment and lunch.

Registration fee is $15 per person and includes Program & Lunch. For more information or to register, visit www.chowan.edu/seniorfest or contact Lou Ann Gilliam at 252-398-6317 or seniorfest@chowan.edu.

March 30-31 March Magic Dressage Show The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston will host the March Magic Dressage Show Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31. For more information, visit www. sportingservices.net or call Cassidy Sitton at 618-201-3290.

69

In 2019 Magic 95.9 is celebrating 25 In 2019 Magic 95.9community. is celebrating 25 years in the years in the community.

Thank for95.9 making the first25 In 2019 you Magic is celebrating Thank you for making the first yearsgreat in theand community.

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71

12 Views From Our

Windsor celebrates

sestercentennial

72

Photos by Leslie Beachboard & J.W. “Russ” Russell Jr. 73

b iog r aphy

Joe

Cherry

O

Story by Leslie Beachboard

One local business owner still provides a service and continues to operate the family business over 100 years after it began.

Downtown Windsor has seen many businesses come and go over the years, but J.B. Cherry Insurance has stayed despite changing times and repeated flooding.

Joe Cherry has lived most of his 89 years in Windsor and is a familiar face to many throughout the town. Cherry was born Nov. 29, 1929, to Joseph and Ethel Reymond Cherry.

Cherry’s father served as the county treasurer and founded the J.B. Cherry Insurance office in 1912.

“My parents lived in Windsor, but I was born in Norfolk, Virginia, due to worries of complications with my birth,” Cherry said.

Cherry grew up on Granville Street, where Coastal Medical Transport currently is located, several blocks from his office and his current home.

Cherry said it was nice growing up in Windsor.

“It was a peaceful, little town. I had plenty of good friends. When I was younger we could see a picture show at the Place Theatre on Granville Street. We would all go to a show every chance we got,” he said. “After World War II, we had Little League again, and we had great baseball here in Windsor and the small towns around here. We didn’t

74

have television yet, so every time Windsor played at home, which was three or four times a week, it seemed the whole town would show up to watch them play.”

Cherry said he went through the depression and remembers it vividly.

“It was a hard time. It was a hard time for everyone, but we survived,” he said.

Cherry attended elementary and middle school in Windsor Schools but left the small-town life to attend Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Virginia, for high school.

“I hated to leave my friends. Virginia Episcopal School was a good school. There was a strict honor code, and today it is still a good school,” he said.

Throughout his life, Cherry has stayed in contact with friends from his high school days and more recently has stayed in contact with the current head of school at Virginia Episcopal School, whose father was a classmate of his.

After graduation, Cherry attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for a little over two years until his was drafted for the war.

Cherry said while in college, he always came home when he could.

“The great thing was the town never changed that much and was

“

I love the business and I love working with people. I have enjoyment of providing something someone needs.

“

- Joe Cherry

still the great place where I grew up,” he added. “I was home from summer school when I received a nice letter from President Truman requesting my presence in Raleigh. I went to Raleigh and from there many of us were loaded on buses and sent to Fort Jackson.”

Cherry said while at Fort Jackson he went through the military’s leadership training school before being sent to Germany.

“You grow up fast in basic training. I lost 30 pounds at Fort Jackson. I got back into great condition while I was there,” he added.

Cherry said that once in Germany, the measles saved his life.

He was suppose to be leaving to go the forefront of the war but came down with the measles and spent two weeks in the hospital recovering.

“I was at NATO facing the Russians. The training was hard. It was cold, we slept on the ground and there was always snow,” Cherry said.

Cherry said he remembers the siren alerts going off at night and everyone scrambling out into the cold and snow.

“We never knew if this time it could be the real thing,” he said.

But Cherry took advantage of his time in Germany by using his leave time and money to tour Europe.

“I plotted and studied where I was going next.

Whether it be a museum, a landmark or just the

Cherry said he never went back to Europe after his military duty but always wanted to.

After his service, he returned to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for one more year.

“That was one happy year. I didn’t care if it was raining or snowing. I was just glad to be back,” Cherry laughed.

Cherry returned to Windsor to run the family business

office.

The office had two feet of water after Hurricane Floyd and around one foot during the other three storms.

“We flooded seriously twice, but I always stayed and plan to always stay here,” Cherry said.

Cherry said he met his wife, Della, at a football game.

“I met Della while attending a North Carolina State

The original insurance office was located on the

University and Carolina football game. She was actually

second floor of the building that currently houses the

a State fan. We dated for several years and then were

Bertie County Arts Council Gallery.

married,” he said. “Della was from around Asheville. She

Cherry’s mother relocated the business across the street to its current location with the thought of Cherry coming home to take over the business.

“I love the business and I love working with people.

I have enjoyment of providing something someone needs,” Cherry said.

made the sacrifice to move here to Windsor to be with me.”

Cherry has two adult daughters – Mary Kay, who is a lawyer and resides in Charlotte, and Susan, who is a missionary in Spain. He has six grandchildren.

Cherry is still active in the community. He is a

Cherry’s insurance office has seen its times of

member of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Windsor,

He toured Switzerland, Italy, Paris and Austria.

struggle due to natural disasters. Tropical storms and

which he has attended since he was a child, and a

“Some of my travels were just a few hours and a

hurricanes have caused flooding in his office four times.

charter member of the Historical Hope Plantation.

train ride away. I could leave and come back, and not

The office flooded during Hurricane Floyd in 1999,

countryside,” he said.

have to take any of my personal time,” Cherry said.

Cherry still has boxes of pictures and fond memories from his journeys throughout Europe.

Cherry served two years in the military and decided it was time to come home.

“I never regretted my two years in Europe,” he said.

again in 2010 following the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole and twice within two weeks in 2016 due to Tropical Storm Julia and Hurricane Matthew. Each time, Cherry made repairs to the office, kept it open and never thought about moving.

Cherry pointed out the water marks on a table in his

He enjoys UNC Tarheel sports, politics and his Doberman, Max. “I really enjoy knowing what is going on on in the world,” he closed.

Leslie Beachboard is a staff writer for the Bertie LedgerAdvance in Windsor, the Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald in Williamston and Eastern Living Magazine.

75

Visit Historic

Plymouth, NC

Photo Courtesy of Washington County TTA

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76

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Sharon & Billy Maitland

www.maitlandfuneralhome.com 77

TIGHT LINES

THE BENEFITS OF FISHING REGULATIONS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS Some of you may remember that on March

The onset of the rule was delayed for a while.

RICK GOINES

of the Central Southern Management Area.

15, 2017, at Tarboro Brewing Co., Tight Lines

We recently reported on the new rules, which

The division recommended developing

sponsored a visit from Kirk Rundle, state Wildlife

opened the season for striped bass fishing in the

a supplement to the N.C. Estuarine Striped

Resources Commission District 3 Fisheries

Tar-Pamlico River from Oct. 1 through April 30,

Bass Fishery Management Plan to include

Biologist.

2019.

the temporary management measures to

Our much-anticipated meeting with Wildlife

Now there are some serious changes

protect two-year classes of fish while the next

Resources Commission fisheries folks was well

proposed, as the Division of Marine Fisheries

plan amendment is being developed. The

received. We had a good crowd at Tarboro

considers a no-possession limit for striped bass

commission approved the recommendation at

Brewing Co..

in the central and southern waters of North

its business meeting recently .

“

Chad Thomas, Coastal Fisheries Supervisor

Carolina.

The proposed supplement must first

for WRC’s Division of Inland Fisheries, and

“The Division of Marine Fisheries has received

be approved by the secretary of the state

Rundle did a good job on an interesting,

the Marine Fisheries Commission’s approval to

Department of Environmental Quality before it

informative slide presentation concerning the

is developed.

new striped bass (rockfish) 26-inch minimum rule set to become effective later that year .

They fielded questions openly and honestly,

and I believe most people gained a little more respect for the good works they do. Not

everyone was happy about this rockfish 26-inch minimum rule for recreational anglers, but I think

those in attendance at least better understood

the WRC motivation and fishery science behind the regulation. Change has never been easy.

At the end of the day, when all was said and

done, WRC and active anglers wanted the same thing: A good productive, sustainable fishery we

could all enjoy for years to come. Long after I am gone, I want my grandbabies and their babies to have fish to catch in clean, unspoiled North Carolina waters. Is that too much to ask?

Research has shown that striped bass in these

What could be

waters are not a self-sustaining population and

better than to

raised fish; however, data suggests there have

help veterans

cross offshore

”

fishing on their bucket list?

that fishermen are mainly catching hatcherynow been two successful spawning years, and those fish need to be protected.

The proposed no-possession regulations would end once the new plan amendment is adopted. The amendment could include the no-possession provision or recommend other management actions.

If necessary-approvals are received, the division intends to hold one public meeting on the issue in the Washington area. The supplement would be brought back to the commission for adoption in February, and the regulations would be implemented by

Also, our Tight Lines team had attended the

draft regulations for a no­-possession limit of

the division director through his proclamation

public hearing held at Nash Community College

striped bass in some waters of the state. The

authority (NCWRC).”

and found that the response from the public

proposal would apply to the Tar, Pamlico and

Rick’s Soapbox — It’s going to be a tough

mirrored the responses at our Tarboro meeting.

Neuse rivers and other joint and coastal waters

defensive offense, to hold on to a ban of rockfish

78

for the health of the fishery. As responsible citizens and stewards of the fishery, we just have to do it to build a sustainable fish population.

The eastern sky of St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, began to glow orange with the rising sun. On the morning of Nov. 17, 13 boats, their captains and crews met to take out 45 veterans for a “Thanks for your Service” Fishing Tournament. There were two categories leaving the docks: Inshore and offshore.

The seas were a bit high, but this group could handle it. Marines, Air Force, Navy, Army and Coast Guard competed to see who had the best time that day. Sure, they enjoyed catching fish, but this day was meant just for them. The boats spread out in all directions as volunteers set up the weigh station at The Deep End Bar & Grille in St Croix.

Throughout the day, reports of catches came in. One boat had six species of fish trolling, one captain found a floater and took about a dozen Mahi from under it and on another boat I heard stories of how the veterans had to share bringing in the fish because it was a tough battle.

The stories were getting better and better, until Sonia Willock came in with Capt. A.K. Lovarco, a USMC veteran aboard his “Reel Shallow” and weighed in a 37.9-pound wahoo. Everyone applauded as her smile captured everyone there sharing the amazement of her day.

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Momentary Capture

Fleeting Images by Doward Jones, Jr.

cross offshore fishing on their bucket list? To watch how they described their catches (and everyone caught at least one fish) the fish got bigger and bigger. They put on their tournament T-shirts and pictures were taken with new friends and proud smiles. “Fish with A Vet USVI” thanks all veterans for their service and sacrifice, during this month of veteran’s awareness. Kudos to all and tight lines, from Tournament Founder & Organizer Barbara Peel (Forever & Always Fishing Charters STX).

Fishing Success? Good for you! Give us all the nice details at carolinaangler@gmail.com.

Large file full-size, high resolution fishy pix make us happy. We want to hear your reason for fishing story. Who got you started? Looking forward to your replies.

See you on the water, my friend.

Rick Goines is a freelance outdoors columnist in eastern North Carolina.

Roanoke River from the “Window Series”

Visit our Gallery & Studio

Prints also available at Bertie Arts Council 210 West Water Street • Downtown Plymouth on the Roanoke Contact: dowardjones@mac.com • 252.809.3938

79

Main Street at Gladden Street in Washington, Beaufort County

MARKER TEXT African Amercans Defend Washington Prior to formation of 1st N.C. Colored Volunteers about 100 black men were armed to aid Union forces during the siege of Washington in 1863.

MARK IT! Title To Begin Here

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Information:

D

REFERENCES References: Samuel Storrow Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, Massachusetts “Deserters-The Rebels Falling Back- . . . – A Spicy Document- . . .,” New York Herald, April 25, 1863 “A Hero,” Cleveland Morning Leader, May 5, 1863 W. P. Derby, Bearing Arms in the Twenty-Seventh Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteer Infantry During the Civil War, 1861-1865 (1883) Paul S. Yendell, “Washington,” in James B. Gardner et al., Record of the Service of the Forty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in North Carolina, August 1862 to May 1863 (1887) United States War Department, The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (1881-1902), series I, volume 18, and series III, volume 3 E. W. Brown, “The Slave-Martyr,” The Anglo-African, June 13, 1863 William Wells Brown, The Negro in the American Rebellion: His Heroism and His Fidelity (1867) Judkin Browning, Shifting Loyalties: The Union Occupation of Eastern North Carolina (2011) David S. Ceceslki, The Fire of Freedom: Abraham Galloway and the Slaves’ Civil War (2012) Alex Christopher Meekins, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and the Civil War: A History of Battle and Occupation (2007) Richard M. Reid, Freedom For Themselves: North Carolina’s Black Soldiers in the Civil War Era (2008)

80

uring the siege of Washington in April 1863, Union troops armed African Americans to participate in the defense of the town. The incident is an early example in North Carolina of the shift in U.S. policy towards recruiting African Americans for military service in the Civil War. At the beginning of the war, the United States did not recruit African Americans for military service.

Although President Abraham Lincoln had long detested slavery, he felt not only bound by slavery’s Constitutional protections but also wished to keep the slaveholding states of Kentucky, Missouri, and Maryland within the Union.

Lincoln’s initial war plans were thus based on restoring the Union, not emancipation. This policy gradually succumbed to the realities of war. The escape of slaves into Union lines led some military commanders to forbid their return to their owners in order to hamper the Confederate war effort. Some Union commanders put escaped slaves to various types of military labor, while others utilized slaves and free blacks as spies and scouts.

In the meantime, black and white abolitionists strenuously advocated the recruitment of African Americans as soldiers to provide an opportunity to show the government and the Northern public that emancipation was

worthy of support, and to allow

Although Foster made no mention

the subject of a poem celebrating the

African Americans an opportunity to

of

at

slain man’s act of heroism. After the

strike a direct blow against slavery

Washington in his April 30 campaign

war, African American activist and

by

Confederacy.

report, he did so in a May 4 letter to

writer William Wells Brown wrote

These developments led to a shift in

U.S. secretary of war Edwin M. Stanton.

a longer account of the incident.

Lincoln’s policy. In September 1862, he

However, he credited the initial idea

According to Brown, the man was an

issued his preliminary Emancipation

to the African Americans themselves:

escaped slave known as “Big Bob,” who

Proclamation. The idea of recruiting

“During the late attack on Washington,

had recently arrived in Washington.

African American as soldiers now

the negroes applied to me for arms, and

took on a new life. By early 1863, the

The other boatman killed in the

to strengthen my lines I armed about

first African American regiments were

120, all that I had arms for.” The April

Rodman’s Point incident fell into

beginning to organize.

13, 1863 entry of a wartime diary by

defeating

the

arming

African

Americans

Following the arrival of Federal

a member of the 44th Massachusetts

forces in eastern North Carolina in

indicated that 100 African Americans

early 1862, thousands of escaped

were among the town’s defenders

slaves made their way to the coastal

by that date. This figure, and Foster’s

zone controlled by Union troops.

slightly larger estimate of “about 120,”

Efforts to organize African Americans

should be considered approximate.

in the area were initially scattered, and

It is known that at least two African

reflected the uncertainties of early

American boatmen were killed during

Union policy. Immediate manpower

the siege while conveying Union

necessities were often the cause.

troops down the Pamlico River on

Federal troops occupying Elizabeth

the night of March 30-31, 1863, as

City armed African Americans to act as

a Federal expedition by a company

pickets as early as October 1862. The

of the 1st Regiment N.C. Volunteers

siege of Washington provided another

(Union) to Rodman’s Point was forced

practical opportunity to implement

to withdraw under heavy fire. One of

the new policy, as the need to provide

the boatmen was mortally wounded

additional strength for the garrison led

when his boat was stuck in the sand.

to the arming of African Americans.

In an effort to save the soldiers and

A postwar history of the 44th Regiment

Massachusetts

his fellow boatmen, he got out of the

Infantry

boat and pushed it into the water, but

credited Col. Francis L. Lee of that

was hit multiple times and died after

regiment with arming the African

subsequent unsuccessful surgery back

Americans at Washington, sometime

in Washington.

the river, according to an account in a New York newspaper. His body was subsequently recovered by the Confederates and left for the Federals when Rodman’s Point was evacuated on April 15 along with various damaged artillery pieces.

Following the siege of Washington, a systematic effort to recruit African American soldiers in North Carolina began. The roots of this project predated

the

Massachusetts

siege.

On

governor

April John

1, A.

Andrew had suggested to Stanton that a large African American force could be raised in North Carolina. Col. Edward A. Wild was selected to oversee the task and promoted to brigadier general.

Wild arrived in New Bern later in May, and began to recruit African Americans for what became the 1st North Carolina Colored Volunteers (later redesignated the 35th Regiment United States Colored Troops). Two more infantry regiments and an artillery regiment

after his unit arrived on March 16. A

The boatman’s story was reported

postwar history of the 27th Regiment

in the Cleveland Morning Leader,

Massachusetts Infantry implied that

quoting Assistant Surgeon Theodore

Although the siege of Washington

the men were armed on or about

W. Fisher of the 44th Regiment

does not mark the first attempt

March 30, the first day of the siege.

Massachusetts Infantry. Fisher did not

in North Carolina to arm African

Department

Carolina

witness the event as his regiment was

Americans

commander Maj. Gen. John G. Foster

not involved. He probably obtained

Confederacy, it is nevertheless one of

arrived at Washington early in the

his information from Surgeon Robert

several important early steps towards

morning of the same day to take

Ware of his regiment, who operated

the formal organization of African

charge of the defense, so there is room

on the wounded man and likely had an

Americans for military service in the

for doubt as to whether Lee took the

opportunity to talk to the men who had

state, and deserves to be remembered

initiative or acted under Foster’s orders.

brought him in. The story soon became

on those grounds.

of

North

would eventually follow.

to

fight

against

the

81

PARTING SHOTS As you began your journey through this

especially enjoy Nipper, the RCA dog.

Thadd White on the banks of the Roanoke River in Weldon.

Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City

edition of Eastern Living Magazine, the first

Deborah Griffin’s story tells about the

of 2019, I hope you’ve had an opportunity to

proud history of the Northampton County

appreciate the rich heritage and history of our

Museum, which holds something for all lovers

Jim Green reintroduces a popular feature

region.

of history. The downtown Jackson institution

in this edition where readers can learn

is beloved for its outstanding collection.

places they can go to on a one-day trip. Jim

The museums in our 12 counties are a showcase of the long and storied history of our region, our state and our nation.

and a look at some of the unique museums in the North Carolina.

Doward Jones Jr., a longtime contributor

takes readers to the Ava Gardner Museum in

to Eastern Living Magazine, returns with an

Smithfield, where the actress is memorialized

We begin this edition with a trip to Nash

interesting story of the Columbia Theater and

with artifacts from her career for our All In A

County, where one finds The Country Doctor

its transformation over the years into a home

Day’s Trip feature.

Museum, an institution, and the oldest of its

for history.

Our second edition of the return of our Biography series features Joe Cherry, a Windsor institution who himself is a walking, talking museum. From his service in the U.S.

Until next time, remember… all who wander are not lost. Continue joining us as we wander through Beaufort, Bertie, Edgecombe, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

military to his longtime work as an insurance agent, he is a beloved figure in Bertie County.

This edition’s Mark It! Feature is a historical marker in Beaufort County. Learn all about its history and placement.

We’ll be back in March when we feature stories about women in our region as a salute to Women’s History Month.

Until next time, remember… all who wander are not lost. Continue joining us as we

kind in the nation. Amelia Harper gives a quick tour of the museum and its history.

In addition, Sandy Carawan gives readers

wander through Beaufort, Bertie, Edgecombe,

a sneak peak at the Ocracoke Preservation

Gates,

As you continue through, you’ll read about

Society Museum. Its rich history and beautiful

Nash, Northampton, Tyrrell and Washington

the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana

décor provides a drawing card for those

counties.

in Hertford County. I was fortunate enough

throughout the region.

to take my first tour through the museum

You’ll find stories about museums in each

and found it to be one of my favorites. You’ll

of our 12 counties, plus a mini-feature on the

82

Halifax,

Hertford,

Hyde,

Martin,

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern Living Magazine, the Bertie Ledger-Advance and the Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald.

83

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