Department of Cultural Resources Plans ‘Black History Month’ Activities Statewide in February

Jan. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. – “Black History Month” is being observed throughout February with an array of programs at venues of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Topics range from escaping slavery to ocean rescuers, songs of freedom to sounds of cannons, and a barrier-breaking pilot to a day at the beach. See listings for all of the Department’s events at http://www.nccultureevents.com/events.php.

Highlights include a major program about the work of escaped slave, author and abolitionist Harriet Jacobs at Historic Edenton on Feb. 9; a program on the Emancipation Proclamation and its meaning for America, along with a “Trail to Freedom Tour” with black and white Civil War-era interpreters at Bennett Place in Durham on Feb. 23; and a program featuring retired U.S. Airways Capt. Bill Wilkerson, the third black pilot hired by Piedmont Airlines, at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer on Feb. 16.


EAST

Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City:

Feb. 9 -- Civil War Living History Day. Learn about American life in the turbulent 1860s through demonstrations by re-enactors, docents and historians, and lectures and cannon firings. Visit with collectors of African American quilts, artifacts and more.

Feb. 10 -- Faith and Freedom. Hear gospel music by the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church Celestial Chorus and the presentation "At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality."

Feb. 16 -- Memorable Sands Exhibit Opening. Be the first to see the images of African American beaches in the region at this book signing with Frank Stephenson Jr., author of  "Chowan Beach: Remembering an African American Resort."

Feb. 17 -- Music at the Museum. Hear gospel music by the Greater Anointing Ministries and the Elizabeth City State University Gospel Choir; visit with collectors of African American quilts and artifacts.

Somerset Place, Creswell:

Feb. 23 (presented at Creswell High School) -- Waves of Freedom: The Emancipation Proclamation. Signed by President Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation transformed the Civil War. African American Heritage Commission Chairperson Michelle Lanier will review the complexities of the document and its effect.

Historic Edenton:

Feb. 9 -- Harriet Jacobs Bicentennial Celebration. This conference examines the life and work of Harriet Jacobs, who escaped slavery in North Carolina and became an abolitionist, activist and worker for freedmen after the Civil War. Her book, "Incidents is the Life of a Slave Girl," was documented as the first slave narrative written by an African American woman by Dr. Jean Fagan Yellin, who is the key presenter. The Elizabeth City State University Choir will perform. Registration $25 ($12 students).

Historic Bath:

Feb. 2 -- Thomas Day, Cabinet Maker: Man in the Middle. This lecture by filmmaker and educator Laurel Sneed explores the legacy of a free African American artisan and businessman at the height of the slavery era. Thomas Day was a father of the furniture industry in North Carolina, caught between competing social and political forces.

Feb. 21 -- Historical Film Series: "Red Tails." This film tells the story of 332nd Fighter Group that became the best U.S. pilot escort group, known as the "Red Tails."

Tryon Palace, New Bern:

Feb. 21 -- Down Home Eatin'. Shillena Parks portrays Ms. Sadie Peppers, who has traveled the world and sampled many foods but best loves a plate of chitlins', collard greens and 'tato salad. In her wisdom, Peppers realizes that problems can be solved around the kitchen table.

N.C. Maritime Museum, Beaufort:

Feb. 22 -- The Story of Pea Island Lifesavers. The producers of “Rescue Men, the Story of the Pea Island Lifesavers,” will be present for a screening of the documentary and a question-and-answer period. This is the true story of the only African American team in the U.S. Lifesaving Service, which preceeded the U.S. Coast Guard.  

N.C. Maritime Museum, Southport:

Feb. 1 -- We Fished for a Living. This program salutes Southport's "Gentleman Giant," Elias "Nehi" Gore, who supported his family by working in the fishing industry. At 7' 8" tall, he stood out because of his height and his community contributions.

PIEDMONT

State Capitol, Raleigh:

Feb. 16 -- African American Read-in. Public readers may share favorite passages from the writings of contemporary and historical black authors during this annual program. Contact Terra Schramm, Capitol Education Coordinator, to be a reader.

N.C. Museum of History, Raleigh:

Feb. 9 and 23 -- African American History Tour. Explore the lives and accomplishments of African American North Carolinians from the antebellum period to the Civil Rights era.

Feb. 16 -- Make It, Take It. Drop-in program for elementary school students to learn about African Americans from North Carolina and make a craft, jump rope or hear a story.

Feb. 17 -- At the Movies: "Glory." View the 1989 film based on the story of Col. Robert Gould Shaw and the first African American Union regiment in the Civil War, followed by a discussion with N.C. State University Associate Professor Susanna Lee.

North Carolina Symphony:

Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville.  Feb. 21 -- Freedom. William Henry Curry will conduct "Lincoln Portrait" by Aaron Copland, "Symphony Number 2" by Charles Ives, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" by Roy Harris, and other works. The photochoreography performance piece "The Eternal Struggle" will feature large-format Civil War and Civil Rights images set to Copland's music, with David Hartman narrating. Tickets required.

Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh. Feb. 22 & 23 -- Freedom. Same program as above.

Bennett Place, Durham:

Feb. 23 -- 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Historian Earl Ijames will explore what the document meant for free blacks, the enslaved and all Americans. Historic Burwell School staff will share the background of Elizabeth Keckly (seamstress and confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln) and activist Pauli Murray (whose grandfather served in the Union Army). Historic interpreters will represent the free and enslaved, U.S. Colored Troops and Confederate soldiers.

Historic Stagville, Durham:

Feb. 22 -- Reach for the Stars. In partnership with Morehead Planetarium, Stagville will explore the night sky, focusing on myths and legends told in the African culture. Activities include storytelling, tours of slave cabins and a constellation tour.

Museum of the Cape Fear Complex, Fayetteville:

Feb. 23 -- Fayetteville's African American History. Professor Charles Anderson will discuss African Americans in Fayetteville including John Leary (who participated in John Brown's attack at Harper's Ferry), writer Charles Chestnutt and Ezekiel Ezra Smith (40-year-president of what is now Fayetteville State University).

WEST

N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer:

Feb. 9 -- Journey Stories - Stories from the Underground Railroad with Meltonia Loretta Young. Part art exhibition and part history, the program examines the decoding of secrets of African American quilt patches synonymous with the Underground Railroad (including myths), and the role of Quakers and other heroic individuals.

Feb. 16 -- Retired Piedmont Airlines/US Air Capt. Bill Wilkerson's Journey Story. In 1974, Wilkerson became the third black pilot hired by Piedmont Airlines. He shares the inspiring tale of growing up in a segregated society yet becoming a commercial pilot responsible for thousands of lives. Regular admission applies.

Throughout February. “Hands on History” highlights Black History Month with a special map of exhibits including the Brockway fire truck used by an all-black firefighting force, black inventors Eli Janney and Garrett Morgan, the museum's preserved segregated rail cars and the past segregation of Spencer Shops.