ODE TO
CHATHAM REFLECTIONS FROM THREE LOCAL LEADERS ON THE COUNTY’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY How did Chatham County come together through Chatham 250 events?
O
ne of the most beautiful experiences of Chatham 250 was watching different people and communities engage in different ways, with each person bringing a piece of themselves and their story to the celebrations. The breadth of the events and activities were designed with the intention of having a little something for everyone, allowing each resident to connect to the semiquincentennial in a way that felt meaningful to them. Some people attended our Chatham County History of Communities of Color lectures in the spring from the comforts of their own home, while others chose to brave the late-June
humidity at the Great Chatham County Camp Out. Some people purchased Aunt Rachel apple trees to cultivate the county’s agricultural history, while others preserved our history by working with their congregations to write their church histories. At the Sidewalk Chalk Festival this fall, someone asked me if I recognized anyone at the event from the other events I’ve attended. I was delighted to say that, in fact, I recognized hardly anyone. Why was I delighted? Because it meant each singular Chatham 250 event gathered a new community of people to celebrate. Throughout the year, with all the varied activities, everyone shared one thing – their love for Chatham County. – Hilary Pollan, Chatham County community partners analyst and co-coordinator for the Chatham 250 committee
What would you want your great-greatgrandchildren to know about Chatham?
G
iven the current age of my grandchildren, my great-greatgrandchildren would probably grace
26
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
WINTER 2021-2022
this world in about 50 to 75 years. Chatham will be such a different place at that time, given its residential and economic development trajectory. While it may look different, I hope my great-greatgrandchildren will experience some of the same values that make Chatham a wonderful place to live. These values include striving for the ideals of inclusion, unity in our cultural diversity, giving, caring and respect for other people’s realities. Suppose these values still exist during their time. In that case, I hope they would look back to this time and generations before us and understand that their forefathers very thoughtfully crafted this unique cultural gift. They should treasure this gift and pass it on to the next generation. I hope my great-great-grandchildren will want to know and understand the history of Chatham County – the good, the bad and the ugly. I trust they will recognize how the generation of their great-great-grandfather and -grandmother strove to help right the wrongs of the past. They should know that a cadre of multicultural, exceptional leaders worked diligently to preserve Chatham’s best, thus creating the environment and culture they will call home. Lastly, while I am sure there will be considerable urban growth, I hope their generation will love, appreciate and conserve our county’s rustic, rural, picturesque beauty for generations to come. – Carl E. Thompson Sr., a senior pastor at Word of Life Christian Outreach Center and co-chair for the Chatham 250 committee