InSites : news from the North Carolina Division of State Historic Sites

              Published by the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites, Office of Archives and History, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
Home office located in the Dobbs Building at 430 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, N.C. (919-733-7862), Keith Hardison, Director.
Volume XXII, No. 3
June-July 2006
IN THIS ISSUE
Historic Sites Curator
“Vacations” in Katrina-devastated
Louisiana
page 1-2
Lots of Early Summer
Programs Planned at
Sites page 2-4
Roanoke Island Festival
Park Set To Lure
Beachgoers Away From
the Sea’s Siren’s Call
with Visual Art, Music,
and More
page 5-9
Wolfe’s Steve Hill Pre-sented
with Prestigious
Historic Preservation
Award
page 8
Meet new Research
Curator Marty Mat-thews
Page 8- 9
Our Thoughts are with
our Colleagues
Page 9
Historic Sites News
“Grab Bag”
page 9-10
CURATOR MARTHA JACKSON SPENDS MAY VACATION
HELPING KATRINA VICTIMS IN LOUISIANA
Instead of using their vacation time to relax, in late May Historic Sites Cura-tor
Martha Jackson and former Cultural Resources employee Mitchell Bowden
braved heat, humidity and indescribable sights and smells in Louisiana, helping clean
up Hurricane Katrina damage to the town of Chalmette. For a week, the two friends
worked tirelessly with a Samaritan’s Purse relief team to clean out soaked and splin-tered
homes, full of mud,
debris, mold, fungus, oil and
both dead and live creatures,
including lots of vermin.
Located in St. Ber-nard
Parish right outside
New Orleans, Chalmette
was almost completely de-stroyed
by flooding; for
three weeks, it actually sat
under up to 30 feet of water.
In addition, a mammoth oil
spill (mostly unreported in
the media) that occurred at a
nearby refinery during the
storm inundated the town.
“The Wall Street Journal”
has since said that the one million gallons of oil that covered Chalmette, “ … ap-proach(
es) the scale of the
famous 1989 Exxon Valdez
tanker spill.” Over 32,000
people lived here before
Katrina but by the time the
storm had moved on, only
three homes in the entire
town were undamaged.
In Louisiana, Martha
and Mitchell stayed in a
fairly primitive Federal
Emergency Management
(FEMA) tent camp with
other Samaritan’s Purse vol-unteers.
Here food was
plentiful but comforts scarce.
Each day, the
women donned protective
gear (including respirators)
and for hours on end, “deconstructed” devastated homes in the town where the famed
Battle of New Orleans was fought in 1815 during the War of 1812.
(over)
Check out our
website:
nchistoricsites.org
A Chalmette street post-Katrina, soaked in toxic crude oil.
Black mold coating the walls of one of the Chalmette homes
Martha and Mitchell worked to clean out.
While working in this
middle-class suburb of “The Big
Easy”, they unearthed such cher-ished
personal treasures as a
bronzed baby bootie, a touching
reminder of daily life before
Katrina. Sadly though, most be-longings
Martha and Mitchell
found in the Chalmette homes
were ruined beyond repair.
Not surprisingly, few pa-per
items, especially photos, could
be salvaged. However, Martha
said their team did find several
family bibles: “One of the bibles
… was returned to a high school
girl who was so touched by its re-turn.
‘I thought it was lost forever,’
she said softly as she began leafing through it.”
Though the utter devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina is no longer at the top of the news,
both women say that such charitable organizations as Habitat for Humanity and Samaritan’s Purse,
which was founded by North Carolina’s own Franklin Graham, still need a lot more help. More infor-mation
on the group’s Katrina relief efforts is available at www.samaritanspurse.org.
What words could one use to describe Mitchell and Martha? Tough, determined, and selfless
might be good start.
—Editor
SUMMER SEASON KICKS OFF AT HISTORIC SITES STATEWIDE
Save some gas and stay in North Carolina this summer … there are lots of unique N.C. Historic
Sites programs to choose from that can spark the imagination of everyone from toddlers to seniors.
Civil War buffs will enjoy the living history programs at Bentonville as well as Independence Day pro-grams
at the State Capitol and the Battleship USS North Carolina, Historic Edenton and Tryon Palace.
Come in to the cool visitor center at Historic Bath and take in a selection of historic movies.
All this and more is waiting for you at our various sites! A complete schedule of events follows
(because Roanoke Island Festival Park has so many summer activities, their programs are covered in a
separate story in this issues of “InSites”):
June 5-11 Historic Edenton. Visitor Center’s 38th Anniversary. Photo display throughout the week with walking
tours at scheduled times June 9th.
June 10 Town Creek Indian Mound. Night Tour. Guided tours of the Ceremonial Center by moon/fire light de-parting
every 15 minutes. Fee charged. $3, adults. 12 and under free. 7-9 p.m.
June 15 Historic Bath. Historical Film Series. The Little Princess (1995). During World War I, pampered rich
girl Sarah Crewe finds new friends, excitement and trouble at a New York boarding school. A remake of the fa-mous
1939 Shirley Temple movie of the same name. Refreshments served. Visitor Center. 7 p.m.
(more)
2
June—July 2006
Only a photo could possibly convey what Martha and Mitchell found in this
family kitchen in Chalmette.
June 20 USS North Carolina. Battleship Hootenanny. Join us for the sixth annual Battleship Hootenanny on the
fantail under the stars. (Auditorium in case of inclement weather.) John Golden and Eric Bruton head up a fine
cast of local music groups. $10 fee charged (cash only).
June 21 Town Creek Indian Mound. Astronomy Event. Help Town Creek welcome summer and view the sunrise
on the Summer Solstice. A presentation will be given on possible solar alignments at Mississippian sites. Must
contact the site in advance to register for this event. Donations welcome.
June 24 Horne Creek Living Historical Farm. “ Toe-Tappin’ Saturday Afternoon in June”. Bring a lawn chair
and come listen to some old-time bands play some familiar music.
Fee charged for refreshments. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 24-25 Town Creek Indian Mound. Indian Heritage Festi-val.
Annual event with “Pow Wow” atmosphere including singing,
dancing, drumming, craft and food vendors. Fee charged. $3,
adults. 12 and under free.12-4 p.m. both days.
July-Jan. 2008 N.C. Transportation Museum. “At Your Ser-vice.”
An exhibit examining food, beverage, and leisure activity
services provided to railroad and airline passengers, including the
distinction made between different classes of passengers.
July 4 Historic Edenton. Edenton Tea Party Chapter D.A.R. pre-sents
a reading of the Declaration of Independence and patriotic
program at the monument to Joseph Hewes, signer of the Declara-tion
of Independence. Courthouse Green. 10 a.m.
July 4 USS North Carolina. Tenth Annual Battleship Blast.
Watch one of the largest choreographed fireworks displays in the
state explode over the battleship. View from historic downtown Wilmington. Due to the fireworks, the historic
site will close at 6 p.m.
July 4 State Capitol. Independence Day Celebration. Enjoy a
traditional, family-oriented Independence Day celebration with a
patriotic concert and picnic on the Capitol grounds. 11 a.m.–3
p.m.
July 4 Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens. Reading of the
Declaration of Independence. Tryon Palace’s many beautiful
gardens are open free to the public in honor of America’s birth-day.
Tickets will be required for building tours. Then Hear the
Declaration of Independence read from the Palace steps at 11
a.m. by costumed characters portraying famous North Carolini-ans
from the Revolutionary War. Free lemonade and cookies
served in the stables after the reading. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 11-12 Historic Bath. Past Times Day Camp. Children ages
5-10 will participate in many different activities led by various
instructors, which will help them learn more about life in colo-nial
days. Activities may include basket making, quill writing/
making hornbooks, gardening along with other chores that chil-dren
may have done as part of a colonial family. Included will
be lunch with a story/rest time. Fee charged: $15 for the two day
session. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
(over)
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June—July 2006
The USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial at
dusk.
Indian dancing and marveling onlookers at a pre-vious
Town Creek Indian Mound Indian Heritage
Festival.
July 17, 31 James K. Polk Memorial. A living history day camp for children ages 8-12, entitled “A Day on the
Farm in 1800”. This one-day camp will show campers how people lived on farms in this area two hundred years
ago, a period when future President James K. Polk lived in Mecklenburg
County. Activities will include milking, fishing, farm chores, making pe-riod
toys, and a chance to drill with the local “militia”. Participants will
prepare their own lunch in the log cabin and can also take a boundary walk
of the farm, where they will meet the neighbors of the Polk family from
over two hundred years ago. Learn history through living it at Mecklen-burg
County’s own presidential birthplace. Fees for the one-day camp are
$25 per camper and include lunch and gifts to take home. The camp is
limited to 15 participants, so pre-registration is required. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
July 20 Historic Bath. Historical Film Series. The Railway Children
(2000). Join three siblings in Edwardian England as they try to solve the
mystery of their father’s disappearance. Refreshments served. Visitor Cen-ter.
7 p.m.
July 20 Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens. African-American Lec-ture
– “The Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Motherhood and Man-hood
in Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Alice Walker’s Third Life of Grange
Copeland.” Guest speaker: Dr. Reginald W. Watson, sponsored by the
N.C. Humanities Council. This presentation will explore how slavery and
oppression deconstruct the traditional image of motherhood and manhood
for the black man and woman, a dynamic clearly brought out in Morri-son’s
Sethe and Paul D. and Walker’s Grange and Brownfield Copeland.
Dr. Watson explains how these particular works fit blueprints for under-standing
the social and historical realities of the black male/female and the
effects that slavery and oppression had on those roles. 7 p.m.
July 22 Horne Creek Living Historical Farm. “Ice Cream Social.” Help
the site’s staff and volunteers make some “melt-in-your-mouth ice cream”
using a hand-cranked ice cream freezer. Then, sit back and enjoy some
great old-time music. Fee charged for food, drinks, and ice cream. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 24, Aug. 7 James K. Polk Memorial. A living history day camp for children ages 7-12, entitled “A Young
Soldier in Polk’s Army!”. This one-day camp will take campers back in time to when James K. Polk was president
of the United States from 1845-1849. Campers will recreate a recruiting and training post for soldiers of the U.S.
Army of that period. Campers will spend the day in the historic area and take part in activities that soldiers of the
time would have known, including marching and the manual of arms, camp life, 1840s campfire cooking, 1840s
customs and clothing, and even an 1840s baseball game! Learn history through living it at Mecklenburg County’s
own presidential birthplace. Fees for the one-day camp are $25 per camper and include materials, lunch, and gifts
to take home. The camp is limited to 15 participants, therefore pre-registration is required. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
—Editor
VISUAL ART, MUSIC, AND COMEDY AT ROANOKE ISLAND FESTIVAL PARK
GIVE TRAVELERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SEA, SUN, AND SAND
Early summer at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Mateo promises to have a little something for
every member of the family to enjoy. One can take in a N.C. Symphony performance, learn about the
role African Americans played in the history of North Carolina’s coast, or enjoy the shenanigans of a
professional ventriloquist!
(more)
Savage fighting between opposing forces
during the 1846-1848 Mexican American
War, a conflict fought during (and some
say encouraged by) President James K.
Polk’s administration. Contemporary
issues with Latino immigration into the
U.S. remind us that the past is really just
prologue.
4
June-July 2006
A complete schedule of events for June and July follows:
JUNE
50 Years of Art: A Steve Andrus Retrospective
June 5-28—9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art Gallery
Dare County watercolor artist and Andrus Gallery owner Steve Andrus, will present 50 years of his works. The
show is free and open to the public. For more information on these and other Roanoke Island Festival Park pro-grams,
call (252) 475-1500 or visit us a www.roanokeisland.com.
Freedom’s Voice
Celebrating the Black Experience on the Outer Banks
June 1-December 31
Outer Banks History Center Gallery
The Outer Banks History Center and N.C. State University’s Life and Language Project have partnered to present
this exciting new exhibit. Using audio stations with interview clips as well as documentary, the exhibit will high-light
the important roles that African Americans played in the development of coastal North Carolina. An opening
reception will be held June 1 at 7 p.m.
N.C. Symphony
June 4—8 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
The N.C. Symphony will perform Sunday, June 4 at 8 p.m. The Dare County Tourism Board is funding this magi-cal
evening for the fifth consecutive year. The free performance will include a pre-concert beginning at 7 p.m.
Handicap parking will be available at the Park. Additional parking available on a first come, first serve basis. More
parking is available throughout the town of Manteo and a shuttle service will be offered. Seating for the event will
be on the open lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Picnics are welcomed.
Bloody Mary and The Virgin Queen
June 7, 14, 21—3 p.m.
Film Theatre
This production is a humorous musical farce based on the relationship
between Queen Elizabeth I and her half-sister, Mary Tudor. The two
loathed one another and yet are buried in the same tomb in London’s
Westminster Abbey. The production takes place in the tomb, in the pre-sent
day. Free.
History Fun Programs at Roanoke Island Festival Park
June 19-30
History Garden
Special summer daily scheduled programs aboard Elizabeth II, in the
Roanoke Adventure Museum and Settlement Site. Costumed interpreters
engage guests in activities and adventures in history. Special programming daily.
Lynn Trefzger, Vertriloquist/Comedienne
June 16—8 p.m.
June 17—10:30 a.m.
The Film Theatre
Trefzger brings together amazing figure manipulation and exceptional vocal skills to create a comedy act that de-lights
all ages. The June 16th, performance will be for the more mature audience and the Saturday, June 17th, show
will appeal to children. Both shows are part of the Father’s Day Weekend festivities offered at Roanoke Island
Festival Park. Tickets for the evening show are $10 and may be purchased in advance at the Visitor Center.
U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band Presents
Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble
June 18—7:30 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
(over)
5
June-July 2006
The N.C. Symphony featuring Conductor
and Music Director Grant Llewellyn will
perform Sunday, June 4 at Festival Park.
Come spend an evening under the stars and enjoy the United States Air Force Heritage of
America Band and their Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble. The 18-member group will present classics to contempo-rary
jazz- a perfect ending to Father’s Day Weekend! The event and parking is free and open to the public.
Voyages Summer Camp
June 19-23 (five days)—9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ages 6-8
June 26-30 (five days)— 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ages 9-11
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Voyages Camp will be offered June 19-23 for children 6-8 years old. Did your child ever want to raise the sails of
the Elizabeth II, learn to blacksmith, prepare Native American food or build 16th century children’s toys? These
are just a few of the experiences that will be offered as they explore Roanoke Island at the time of the first English
settlement. All campers will have the opportunity to show off their knowledge at the end of the week as park junior
interpreters on the Elizabeth II, in the Settlement Site and in the Junction Tent. The cost of the camp per week is
$100 for Friends of Elizabeth II or $125 for all others. (Extended childcare available from 8:30- 9 a.m. and 3-5:45
p.m. -$5 per hour, per child.) To register, call (252) 475-1500 Extension 238.
N.C. School of the Arts (NCSA) Summer Performance Festival
Wright Flight: a symphonic narrative
June 27-30—8:30 p.m.
Text and Music by Lawrence Dillon
Projection Design by John Toia
Outdoor Pavilion
A full orchestra and the Wright Brothers take us on the
journey of the first flight. This multidisciplinary event
combines music, film projections, and dramatic read-ings
to create an amazing night not to be missed! Each
night will open with the orchestra performing a variety
of works prior to the main event.
NCSA Summer Performance Festival’s Afternoon
Classics
June 27- July 28 (Tuesday- Friday)—2 p.m.
Art Gallery
Current NCSA students, faculty and alums will delight
audiences in the Art Gallery with these intimate after-noon
performances. And every Wednesday you can
expect a fun affair with surprises and excitement, as the
students will “mix it up” with some unpredictable spice!
Summer Children’s Performance Series Presents
Bathtub Pirates
June 27-30—10:30 a.m.
Film Theatre
Some of the best times in a child’s life are spent playing in the bathtub. Surrounded by toys and a sea of bubbles,
the imagination runs wild with adventure stories! Free to Friends of Elizabeth II and general admission ticket
holders. Everyone must have a ticket for admission.
Museum Store Special Activities
June 27-August 31
The Museum Porch
Every Tuesday is Duck Dive; Wednesday is toy demos; and Thursday is book signings.
JULY
History Fun Programs at Roanoke Island Festival Park
July 1-July 31
Special summer daily scheduled programs aboard Elizabeth II, in the Roanoke Adventure Museum and Settlement
(next)
6
June-July 2006
Interpreters at the Settlement Site in Roanoke Island Festi-val
Park in Manteo show a youngster a little bit about how
the early English colonists in North Carolina would have
made meals back in the 16th century.
Site and History Garden. Costumed interpreters engage guests in activities and adventures
in history.
NCSA Summer Performance Festival Presents Films
8:30 p.m.
The Film Theatre
July 1-Silent Film Review with live musical accompaniment
July 8-Wait Until Dark
July 15-Singing in the Rain
July 22-King Kong
July 29-A Night of Shorts
August 5-Silent Film Review with live musical accompaniment
Natural Language by Artist Steve Lautermilch
July 3-28 (Monday-Friday)—9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Art Gallery
Artist Steve Lautermilch is inspired by and depicts elements of the natural environment of the Outer Banks and the
landscapes of the Great Desert Basin of the American West. The show is free and open to the public.
NCSA Summer Performance Festival Presents A July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
July 4—8:30 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
A night full of excitement and thrills! A live orchestra will set the stage for the fireworks display with your favorite
patriotic marches and a few surprises! The fireworks are sponsored by the Town of Manteo. A special ceremony-
“The Twinning of Manteo and Youghal, Ireland” will begin at 7:30.
Summer Children's Performance Series
Film Theatre.
July 4-7 Drew the Dramatic Fool—10:30 a.m. (Workshop July 6—12:30
p.m.)
July 11, 13 Just Beyond the Junkyard—10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
(workshop—2:30 p.m.)
July 12, 14 Arabian Nights—10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. (workshop—12:30
p.m.)
July 18-21 The Flow Circus—10:30 a.m.
July 25-28 Beauty and the Beast- Tarradiddle Players—10:30 a.m.
August 1-4- The Amazing Adventure of Anna Marie—10:30 a.m.
Free to Friends of Elizabeth II and general admission ticket holders. Every-one
must have a ticket for admission.
NCSA Summer Performance Festival
8:30 p.m.
Outdoor Pavilion
July 5-7 Wright Flight: a symphonic narrative -A full orchestra and the
Wright Brothers take us on the journey of the first flight.
July 11 and 12—July 20 and 21 A Midsummer Night’s Dream-Written by
William Shakespeare, another unique version of a classic.
July 13-14—July 18-19 You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown-Based on the
comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz. Book Music and lyrics by
Clark Gesner.
July 25-28- Dance’n Strings: Ballet and Modern Dance (featuring a live string sextet)
A Living by the Sea Camp
July 24-28—9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Children 6-8 years
July 31-August 4— 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Children 9-11
(over)
7
June-July 2006
Festive fireworks over the Elizabeth II.
Roanoke Island Festival Park
$100 per week for Friends of Elizabeth II and $125 for all others. (Extended childcare available from 8:30- 9 a.m.
and 3-5:45 p.m. -$5 per hour, per child.) To register, call (252) 475-1500 Extension 238.
—Tanya Young
LONGTIME WOLFE MEMORIAL SITE MANAGER STEVE HILL RECEIVES
COVETED HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD
Everyone fortunate enough to get to know Steve Hill soon
discovers he is not someone who toots his own horn. Funny, yes …
but self-aggrandizing, no. He leaves such questionable habits to oth-ers
and instead, for the past almost three decades, has put his heart
(literally) and soul into caring for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial in
Asheville and the legacy left to us by one of America’s greatest fic-tion
writers.
For his efforts to preserve the history of Asheville/
Buncombe County, which inspired Wolfe’s art, Steve was given the
prestigious Sondley Award in May by Asheville’s Historic Re-sources
Commission.. The honor is named for Forester Alexander
Sondley, author of Buncombe County's most complete history. Fol-lowing
the announcement, the Buncombe County Commissioners
honored him in ceremonies on May 16, followed by the Asheville
City Council on May 23, an event attended by Lt. Governor Beverly Purdue.
(Sorry, Steve … we know you’ve tried to keep this under wraps but someone has given you up!)
The commission chose Steve as this year’s recipient because of not only his many years of dedi-cation
and service in maintaining and preserving the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, but for his demonstrated
leadership in guiding the restoration of the memorial following the devastating 1997 fire.
Please join all of us in congratulating Steve for receiving this distinguished historic preservation
award. If anyone richly deserves such an honor, surely it is he.
—Editor
MEET MARTY MATTHEWS, THE DIVISION’S NEW RESEARCH CURATOR
Born in Raleigh, Dr. Marty D. Matthews says he is thrilled to be working as curator of research
for the Division of Historic Sites. “It’s great to have such a challenging and rewarding position in my
home state!”
(more)
The one, the only Steve Hill of the
Thomas Wolfe Memorial.
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June-July 2006
Marty earned both an undergrad degree in political science and a masters in history from N.C.
State and a doctorate in early national U.S. history from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
His dissertation, a biography of early South Carolina statesman Charles Pinckney, was published by the
University of South Carolina Press in 2004 as Forgotten Founder: The Life and Times of Charles Pinck-ney.
Dr. Matthews has taught at the University of South Carolina, Columbia College, Coker College
and held a visiting assistant professorship at Francis Marion University. In 2005 he served as master
scholar for the South Carolina “Teaching American History” program. He is presently an adjunct fac-ulty
member at N.C. State and a member of the board of trustees at Kensington Mansion historic house
museum, a restored antebellum home in Sumter County, S.C.
Marty enjoys Wolfpack sports, working in his yard and listening to the “Great American Song-book,”
especially as interpreted by Frank Sinatra. He and his wife, Marta, have one dog and four cats.
—Dr. Marty D. Matthews
THINKING OF YOU
• Royal Windley at House in the Horseshoe. His father K.N. Windley recently passed away.
On a lighter note:
• Jeff Kite, a former temporary employee at Duke Homestead, will marry Tryon Palace’s Diana Bell
Saturday, June 10. The unusual twist to this love story is that the wedding ceremony will take place
at the Homestead the first wedding to be held there in over ten years!
• And of course we will all rejoice later this summer when former Home Office designer Justin Cham-bers
marries former registrar Elizabeth Sumner! Elizabeth recently left her job in Raleigh to make
her home in Washington with Justin, who now works for the Holocaust Museum there.
—Editor
HISTORIC SITES NEWS GRAB-BAG
• Our new director Keith Hardison is keeping very busy getting
around to meet folks at all the sites across the state.
• In April, Ft. Fisher installed an exciting temporary addition to
its exhibit hall. Larry Walker, Jr., author of Rebel Gibraltar:
Fort Fisher and Wilmington, C.S.A., generously loaned his copy
of Tom Taylor's Running the Blockade. This book once be-longed
to the fort’s famed commander, Colonel William Lamb.
A photograph of the his wife, Sarah Anne Chaffee Lamb
(Daisy), and their daughter Sallie, is pasted to the back cover.
With so few of the colonel's personal effects still surviving and
only one other image of Mrs. Lamb known to exist, these arti-facts
are very precious and welcome indeed at the site.
(over)
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June-July 2006
• The staff at Ft. Dobbs is eagerly looking forward to a three-day archaeological excavation on site,
coordinated by John Mintz from the State Archaeology Office and scheduled for the third month in
June.
—Editor
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June-July 2006