June 2014
Volume e-1, Issue 1
On Your MARC M U S E U M I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
Feature Article
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From the Director
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Volunteers
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Committees at Work
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Mr. History
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Exhibits & Artifacts
6-7
MARC Events
8-10
Spotlight on...
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General Information
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A R C H I V E S
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R O C K I N G H A M
The Meaning of the Civil War: A Personal View Dr. Lindley S. Butler, North Carolina Historian
This fall the MARC joins the national observance of the Civil War Sesquicentennial with a major exhibit. The most important event in the history of our country since 1776, the four-year bloody sectional conflict sealed the permanence of our national union and exorcised the blight of slavery. Other sectional differences had been assuaged by compromise. Although the majority of free Southerners were not slaveholders, a world without slavery was unimaginable. The consequence was a rebellion that left them in utter defeat under military occupation, in a wasted landscape and ruined economy, with some four million newly freed citizens—“a world turned upside down.” Steps were taken by the federal government to ensure freedmen’s rights, but the tenuous start was subverted by Southern terrorism and a growing indifference in Washington. Within a generation, Southern African-Americans were saddled with sanctioned apartheid, the peonage of tenant farming, and restricted political rights. The delayed commitment to minorities’ full political and economic participation was not addressed until the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Meanwhile, the forsaken Southern majority could not accept that wholesale blood sacrifice of their youth was in vain. Most Confederate soldiers had fought with courage and honor. “Lest we forget,” the survivors and widows created a myth of “the glorious lost cause,” honoring their dead with commemorations and the erection of statues memorializing the slain warriors. After a century and a half, the recent controversy over the Reidsville Confederate monument is a reminder of how deeply embedded the great event is in our psyche. For Northerners, there is no ambivalence: they fought for union and freedom. Thoughtful Southerners, white and black, are conflicted. Whites cannot openly concede that in addition to protecting their homeland, their ancestors fought for disunion and slavery. After more than a century, blacks, many of whose ancestors gave their lives for freedom, still have to stand up for their rights. Joining hands, Southern brothers and sisters of all races, cultures, and creeds must face together the burden of our history, that racism compromises our freedom, and strive toward the national promise of liberty, justice, and equality for all.
P.O. Box 84, Wentworth, NC 27375 (336) 634-4949 MARCconnection@gmail.com www.themarconline.org
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Letter from the Director
Kim Proctor Welcome to the first edition of our e-newsletter, “On Your Marc.” Yes, we’ve gone green! Going green lets us bring you more news, more often and in full-color. Going green gives us the chance to connect you to the MARC web-site for additional, in-depth information and more images related to the newsletter articles you read in each edition. Look for the MARC logo and simply click to learn more about that topic. Going green contributes to the well-being of our environment and helps us redirect printing costs toward MARC operating expenses, exhibits and programming. I believe you’ll agree that for all of these reasons going green is the way to go. Enjoy! In this issue and throughout 2014, our focus will be on the Civil War. Check out the program schedule on page 10 and you will find that we have guest speakers and exciting events commemorating the sesquicentennial anniversary of the “war between the states” scheduled for the rest of the year and culminating with “A Civil War Christmas at Wright Tavern.” Mark your calendars. We’ve had many requests to create a MARC military exhibit. This anniversary gives us good reason to answer the hue and cry, and so we have. Plans are on the drawing table and we are working diligently to begin the project by creating a stunning Civil War exhibit for Rockingham County. It is scheduled to open by the end of the year. The exhibit will highlight local people, regiments, camp life, the home front, women in the war and much, much more. The exhibit will include artifacts that add to the stories, like the original Confederate soldier that formerly stood in Downtown Reidsville. As Dr. Butler pointed out in our cover story, the Civil War was a pivotal point in our history. It marked a change in how we define ourselves as Americans. At the MARC, we believe that yesterday informs tomorrow and that an understanding of the Civil War and its significance will contribute to positive change and healing. In order to accomplish the task, we need your help gathering information and funding the exhibit. I invite you to submit your family stories, pictures and artifacts for consideration as part of this exhibit. If you have an interest in participating in the exhibit’s creation, I hope you’ll get in touch with us and volunteer your time and expertise. And, I hope you will make a financial contribution to help us cover the cost and bring this exhibit to our community. Feel free to call us at 336-634-4949 or send questions, comments and information to CivilWar@themarconline.org If you would like to make a donation to the project, click here.
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Volunteers Make it Happen! What Would We Do Without You? At the Museum & Archives of Rockingham County we depend heavily on our volunteer staff. Volunteers are one of the most crucial components of running a successful museum. When the museum is open, volunteers greet visitors, answer questions, operate the museum store and lead tours as needed. Even when the museum is not open, we need help answering phones, typing, filing, assembling mailings and organizing the office. Other volunteer opportunities include receiving and processing artifacts, computer/data entry, cleaning, sewing, gardening and more. Even with the dedication and hard work of our active volunteers we are still several people short each month. Our lives are busy these days, but I invite you to come and join us at the MARC as part of our volunteer team. I will be happy to show you around the museum and historic site, schedule you for training and develop a volunteer schedule that fits your needs as well as the MARC’s. Call me at 336634-4949; ask for Debbie Cummings, volunteer coordinator. Your time at the MARC will give you the opportunity to meet and develop lasting friendships and enjoy an enriching experience. To our committed volunteers simply saying “thank you” does not seem adequate; just know you are much appreciated! Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities and duties.
Visit Bob Carter! You can find him at the MARC Wednesday through Friday most weeks.
Meet Carol Johnson! You can find her at the MARC almost any Wednesday.
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MARC Committees at Work In addition to volunteering to staff the museum, members contribute to committee work to make the MARC all it can be. The MARC has six working committees. They are listed below with a description and contact information to put you in touch with the committee chairs. We would love to have you join us. The Development Committee plans, implements and oversees all fund-raising activities. This committee works to make sure that MARC has the financial support it needs. Bill Horsley, Chair; Tilda Balsley, Co-Chair The Multi-cultural Committee strives to include diversity in MARC’s programming and exhibits. Joyce Anderson, Chair; Erma Walker, Co-chair The Presentation Committee plans and constructs exhibits and maintains the MARC facilities and grounds. Kim Proctor, Chair; Si Rothrock, Co-chair The Preservation Committee receives, identifies, manages and cares for the artifacts in the MARC collections. Charles Rodenbough, Chair The Program Committee plans and implements MARC programs and works with students and teachers to bring local history to our students. Elaine McCollum, Chair The Publicity Committee makes sure that our membership and the community-at-large are aware of MARC activities through advertising, newsletters and the MARC website. Jean Bullins, Chair
Multi-Cultural
Presentation
Preservation
Programs
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Mr. History
C a r t e r ,
C o u n t y
H i s t o r i a n
N o r t h Ca ro l i n a ’s C i v i l W a r T r a i l s P ro g r a m This program is part of a five state trail system that invites you to explore both well known and less familiar sites associated with America’s greatest drama. Nearly two hundred sites throughout North Carolina are interpreted by signs. A map guide is available by visiting the program’s web page at www.civilwartrails.org.
“Nearly two hundred sites throughout North Carolina There are seven trail signs in Rockingham County. They are are: Wentworth and The War; Wentworth Methodist interpreted by Church; Leaksville Cotton Mill Site (Eden); Dan River a signs.” Confederate Lifeline (Eden); The Johns Family Home (Eden); Piedmont Railroad (Reidsville); and The Confederate General Alfred M. Scales Law Office (Madison). An additional sign of interest, not on the trail, relates to the History of the Confederate Searcy & Moore Gun Factory site, located on US Hwy 220, two miles south of Madison.
S e a r c y
& M o o re
Early in the War Between the States, because of a severe shortage of rifles in the south, North Carolina awarded contracts to private companies to produce guns to fill this need. The Searcy & Moore Factory was established in early 1862 at or near Alexander M. Searcy’s milling enterprise on “Upper” Hogan’s Creek by Searcy and his partner, Dr. John S. Moore. They were contracted to manufacture 500 rifles. Between June 1862 and July 1863 the company produced 105 rifles but many were rejected due to poor quality of workmanship.
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Artifacts& Exhibits N e w
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Thanks to the good work of Kitty Williams and Marguerite Holt, the MARC recently acquired an Organ Stove. The stove’s name is descriptive of its resemblance to a pipe organ. It was manufactured by Pratt and Perkins of Boston, MA. Before central heating, wood or coal stoves were the central focal point of the home. This stove came from the Galloway-Smith house which was a pivotal property in the Madison Historic District. The house was built between 1856-1860, the same period in which the Organ Stove model was manufactured. This seems to support the possibility that the stove was part of the original house construction. After being removed from use, the stove remained in the home’s attic until the vacant house fell into disrepair in recent years. Click here for more information about antique stoves. Click here for more information on the Galloway– Smith house.
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What began as a conversation about family history between County Historian Bob Carter and MARC Volunteer Barbara Golding grew to become the newest exhibit in the museum. More than 65 people participated in the MARC’s March 20th opening of “Madame Hancock, Modiste: The Rockingham County Years.” The opening coincided with Women’s History Month and was part of the MARC Dinner & History Series. Mollie “Madame” Hancock was a Rockingham County native and legend. She owned one of the first sewing machines in the county and she used it to propel herself into a first-class business woman and a high fashion designer for clients in Rockingham County and across the United States. Mollie’s relatives and their friends provided financial support for the MARC exhibit, as well as help to collect relevant artifacts. Barbara Golding expressed amazement at how well the collection came together as they “started with nothing and ended up with more than the exhibit could hold.” Click here for more information about Madame Hancock and her Rockingham County connection and a list of the generous people who sponsored and contributed to this exhibit.
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Artifacts & Exhibits T h e
Behind the Scenes
M a k i n g o f M a d a m e H a n c o c k , M o d i s t e : T h e R o c k i n g h a m C o u n t y Y e a r s
Above: Exhibit development and artifact selections—the first session (Bob Carter, Barbara Golding, Mary Alice Collins) Right: During design—arranging the artifacts (Deb Lambert and Barbara Golding); Matching colors—
From idea to development, from researching the history to writing the storyboards, from choosing artifacts and images to matching colors; from crafting the exhibit design to putting it all together, a lot goes on behind the scenes of a new exhibit. Our standards are high and it takes a lot of minds and hands to present an historically accurate and aesthetically pleasing exhibit. Pictured on this page are volunteers determined to bring the Madame Hancock exhibit to the MARC in all its glory!
Above: Putting the final touches on the window prop for the display (Si Rothrock, Kim Proctor and Barbara Golding), window scenery painted by local artist Elizabeth Boles); Painting the Victorian scrollwork (Mary Alice Collins); Rolling out a beautiful Karastan Rug, on loan from Karastan, Inc. in Eden, NC. (Kim Proctor, Si Rothrock, Deb Lambert)
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Recent MARC Events A Celebration of American Music There was foot stomping and hand clapping. There was sing-along. There was respectful silence when appropriate. There was a successful production of “A Celebration of American Music” on February 23rd at the Reidsville Senior High School Auditorium, sponsored by the MARC, enjoyed by over 500 people. The program opened with Jacob Vaughn, a middle school student with one of the most mature voices you’ll ever hear, singing the Star Spangled Banner. A patriotic theme was continued when the Rockingham County Band played “Missing Man,” a tribute to airmen downed in war time and the McMichael High School Phoenix Singers sang the anthems of each of the military services. Veterans in the audience were so moved that they stood as the anthem of their service was sung. Five church choirs led the way with some rousing gospel and quietly spiritual songs. People were surprised to learn that the Morehead High School Jazz Ensemble had been playing together for only a single semester. It seemed they were veterans as they played “Fly Me to the Moon” and the great Duke Ellington classic, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” Both the McMichael Singers and the Reidsville Senior High School Chorus gave very professional performances. One of the most intriguing performances was Carol Leach, who played three selections on the Native American flute. One attendee summed it up perfectly: “I feel like I got a musical education tonight.”
Pictured below: left to right (top row) Wayne Seymour & Rochelle Tucker, emcees; Reidsville High School Chorus; Carol Leach, Native American flautist; St Thomas Episcopal Church Choir; Wayne Seymour, singer, song-writer, story-teller.
“I feel like I got a musical education tonight.”
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R ee cc ee nn tt M MA AR RC C E E vv ee nn tt ss R M A R C
D i n n e r
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One of the things that MARC wants to do is consistently provide top notch programming to our community. One of the MARC’s most successful programs has been our Dinner & History Series. Throughout the year, we offer evenings of dinner in the museum, followed by a history program, discussion opportunities and, often, an accompanying “mini” exhibit to view. Folks arrive at the MARC, roam the museum, visit with friends, fill their plates with period or thematic fare, take their seats at the beautifully decorated banquet tables and share a meal in the heart of the museum. Afterward they adjourn to the theater for an enlightening and thought-provoking presentation . The programs feature local historians, authors, collectors and guest speakers from around the state and beyond. Thomas Day, Cabinet-Maker: the Man in the Middle, our most recent program featured guest speaker Laurel Sneed, Thomas Day historian and Road Scholar with the North Carolina Humanities Council. The program highlighted new research about Day’s relationship with both Southern and Northern societies. Sneed’s investigation indicates that , more than just a cabinet-maker, Day was a man in the middle during the Antebellum Era. The Thomas Day program was made possible by a grant from the Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Check out the Program Schedule on page 8 and watch for reservation information for future programs. “Ron and I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the event last Thursday regarding Thomas Day. We are so blessed in this county to have the opportunity to attend events of this caliber. Just wanted to “Pat” you and the whole staff on the back and let you know we look forward to future opportunities.” Cindy Farris, Deputy City Clerk, Town of Reidsville L to R: Bob Carter, County History; Todd As a part of the Thomas Day Dinner & History program, the City of Southard, DAR National History Teacher of the Reidsville and Reidsville Historic Preservation Committee opened the GovYear and Bethany School History Teacher;ItVaernor Reid House for dinner guests to tour on the following Saturday. is lencia Abbot, Early College Teacher and Histoan amazing house museum. rian; Kim Proctor, Executive Director Pictured left, L to R: Bob Carter, County Historian; Todd Southard, named NC Teacher of 2013 by the Daughters of the American Revolution; Valencia Abbott, RCC Early College Teacher, Historian and Program Director on the Thomas Day Program; Kim Proctor, Executive Director of the MARC.
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Upcoming MARC Events M A R C P r o g r a m S c h e d u l e Thursday, July 19, 2014, 5-7pm “Chamber After Hours” The MARC welcomes Chamber members from around the County.
Saturday, August 16, 2014, 6pm MARC “Summer Soiree” Join us for a summer evening at Deep Springs Country Club.
Thursday, August 28, 2014, 6pm “Dinner & History Series: The Confederate Secret Service & the Plot to Take New York”
Represent!
Join the MARC movement to save and share Rockingham County history.
Drive the movement that will make sure the MARC can continue its good work, our good work for the community and posterity.
Help us create public awareness about the MARC .
Get a MARC window sticker, put it the back window of your car or on your bumper or in the window at your place of business.
Show your support and get folks thinking about history!
Special guest, historian and author Clint Johnson
Thursday, September 18, 2014, 6pm “Dinner & History Series: An Evening of Old-Timey Music” Special guests Robert Stowe and the Twin County Ramblers with Wayne Seymour
Saturday, October 11, 2014 11-4pm “The Civil War Experience” on the MARC Museum Green and at Wright Tavern Thursday, October 23, 2014, 6pm “Dinner & History: The Civil War and the Recollection of Anna Jackson, a one-woman play” Performed by special guest, Kelly Hinson
Saturday, October 25, 2014, 2-4pm “Ghost Stories at Wright Tavern”
Visit our web-site frequently for more program information and to purchase tickets when they go on sale.
Make a monthly donation of $5 or more and we’ll send you one! In a perfect world, places like museums and historic sites would be free to the public. That time isn’t here yet. We have to support ourselves. Museums receive 72% of their funds from individuals like you. Please be part of our 72%.
Come on, you know you want to, so go ahead.
Click here and be part of the MARC movement. *The actual sticker is black lettering on a white oval background. **The MARC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
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Spotlight On… M A R C
S e c u r e s Ma r k e r t o a N a t i v e S o n
H o n o r
At the height of its popularity in the early 1940’s, Wings Over Jordan Choir performed in 40 states, 5 European countries, Canada and Mexico, including performances at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the White House, and The Hollywood Bowl. Most often, performances were sold out and the audiences were fully integrated. Rev. Settle refused to allow the choir to perform before segregated audiences. They produced a number of best-selling albums and won numerous honors, including radio’s prestigious Peabody Award. Pictured here: Florence Johnson, Glenn T. Settle’s cousin; Harold Bass, Citizens’ Academy and Keith Mabe, Chairman of the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners unveil the Glenn T. Settle dedication marker.
Rev. Settle died July 16, 1967 in Los Angeles. To honor his accomplishments, efforts by MARC members, particularly those of our president, Joyce Anderson, and Board member Charles Rodenbough, resulted in the placement of a highway historical marker near Rev. Settle’s birthplace. Glenn Thomas Settle was born near Nubbin MARC members and guests remembered Rev. Ridge in Rockingham County on October 10, Settle’s contributions on June 20, 2013 with a 1894 to Rubin and Mary Settle. As a child, he sign dedication program at the museum followed moved with his family to Uniontown, Pennsylva- by the sign’s unveiling at the intersection of nia where he grew up and was educated. Sandy Cross Road and North Carolina Highway 87. This sign is the first marker in Rockingham Around 1920, Glenn Settle and his wife, Mary County to honor the accomplishments of an AfriElizabeth Carter Settle, moved to Cleveland, can American citizen. Ohio where he worked as a city clerk. He joined Gethsemane Baptist Church and became its pastor in 1935. In that same year, he founded an a cappella choir, “Wings Over Jordan.” Within two years, the choir began performing locally over WGAR, a CBS affiliate radio station, on its segment entitled the “Negro Hour.” The choir’s success led CBS to air the broadcasts nationally in 1958. The following year the choir was honored for outstanding radio series rendered by African Americans.
Check us out on the Our State app.
ON YOUR MARC STAFF Editor-in-Chief
Kim Proctor
Editorial Team:
Jean Bullins Fletcher Dalton
MARC Hours of Operation Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
1pm-6pm
Saturday
10am-4pm
Bob Carter
MARC Admission
Diana Carter Staff Writers:
Jean Bullins
Adult
$5.00
Bill Horsley
Seniors & Students
$3.50
Children
$2.50
Children under 4
FREE
Family Pass
$20.00
MEMBERS
FREE
Contributing Photographers:
Jeff Bullins Debbie Cummings Kim Proctor
Design Editor
Roy Sawyers
MARC Members, Here’s How You Can Support Your Organization This summer marks the third anniversary of the opening of the Museum and Archives of Rockingham County. We continue to make great strides toward our mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Rockingham County, North Carolina. Our new president, Joyce Anderson, has adopted the phrase, “Forge forward,” to represent this year’s focus for our organization.
We ask all members to become ambassadors for the MARC in the following ways:
Be an AMBASSADOR. Take every opportunity available to tell people about the MARC. Make an extra effort to invite people to visit our website, tour the museum, attend our programs and donate artifacts. Visit the museum often and bring friends and family with you. Attend MARC programs and enjoy enlightenment, entertainment and engage in conversation with people of similar interests. Be a PHILANTHROPIST for the MARC. Donate when you can. Help us identify sustainable sources of funding through grants, industries, bequests, planned gifts and sponsorships.
1086 NC Highway 65 PO Box 84 Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 634-4949 MARCconnection@gmail.com www.themarconline.org