r~orrn Larolina State library c_... j Raleiqh '·""'CAROLINA COMMEN,TS f ' ... ·~ VOLUME Vl'II JULY, 1959 NUMBER 2 BOND ISSUE SUMMER REGIONAL MEETING PROGRAM Later in the year, by act of the General Assem­ BLUE RIDGE ASSEMBLY, bly, the people of our State will have an oppor­ BLACK MOUNTAIN tunity to vote on a bond issue for capital improve­ FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1959 ments totaling $34,400,000. Included is the sum 10 :00 A.M. Registration, Lobby, Lee Hall of $250,000 for capital improvements at a num­ The Western His­ ber of our Historic Sites, as follows: torical Association ALAMANCE COUNTY The North Carolina Literary and , supplement $15,000 Historical Association The Sixth Annual Southeastern MONTGOMERY COUNTY World Affairs Institute , museum and Mernbers of the Histo1·ical Associa­ general purpose building 42,500 tions may 1·egfate1' as participants of WAYNE COUNTY the W 61'lcl Ajfairs Institute also. Charles B. , museum 1 :00 P.M. Lunch. Main Dining Room and general purpose building 35,800 2 :00 P.M. Historical Associations BUNCOMBE COUNTY Edwin S. Dougherty, Boone, Pres­ ident, Western North Carolina Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace, museum Association, presiding and general purpose building 49,200 Welcome. Robert H. Spiro, Jr., BRUNSWICK COUNTY President, Blue Ridge Assembly Old Brunswick Town, museum and "Some Highlights of the Revision general purpose building 20,000 of Asheville in the Land of the Sky," Mrs. W. Burr Allen, Ashe­ BEAUFORT COUNTY ville Marsh House, restoration 15,000 "Money, Banking, and Burke Coun­ NEW HANOVER COUNTY ty in the Ante-Bellum Era." Ed­ , restoration, supplement to ward W. Phifer, Morganton local funds 30,000 4 :00 P.M. World Affairs Institute Address on Atomic Energy, John Row AN COUNTY H. Morse, Jr., U. S. Navy Old Stone House, restoration, supple- Address, Jay O'Rear, Cornell Uni­ ment to local funds 7,500 versity SCOTLAND COUNTY 6 :00 P.M. Dinner. Main Dining Room Temperance Hall and Literary Society, 7 :00 P.M. World Affairs Institute restoration of building and improvements Address, Ralph Bunche, United to grounds 10,000 Nations Under-Secretary of State MECKLENBURG COUNTY SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1959 James K. Polk Birthplace, restoration, 9 :00 A.M. Historical Associations supplement to local funds 15,000 Richard Walser, Raleigh, Presi­ DAVIDSON COUNTY dent, North Carolina Literary and Daniel Boone Homeplace, restoration 10,000 Historical Association, presiding Total $250,000 "Early Buncombe County, Gate­ way to Western North Carolina," All parts of the State are represented in this Albert McLean, Asheville program-from the coast to the mountains. The "Our State's Historic Sites Pro­ funds will make it possible to advance seven proj­ gram," with illustrations, Chris­ topher Crittenden, Director, De­ ects that have already been started but not com­ partmPnt of Archives and His­ pleted-necessary visitor center-museums at three tory, Raleigh sites, dwelling houses for project superintendents Business Meeting (Historic Site Specialists) at two sites; restora­ 11 :00 A.M. World Affairs Institute tion of historic buildings at three sites; and com­ Discussi.on of Soviet Union Affairs John W. Shirley, North Carolina pletion of other necessary facilities such as park­ Sbite College, Ralei2"h ing areas and restrooms at several of the projects. Robert A. Rupen, University of In other words, these funds will go far to develop North Carolina, Chapel Hill these sites, none of which is as yet completed, for 1 :00 P.M. Lunch. Main Dining Room public use, education, and enjoyment. S ee page 4 for details. FORT FISHER. The remains of this great Con­ CAROLINA COMMENTS federate bastion are located on US 421 about six milrs south of Carolina Beach. "Battle Acre," with the handsome monument erected there some Published bv the State Department of Archives and years ago by the United Daughters of the Con- History, Box 1881, Rnleigh, N. C. fecleracv. ' marks the site. Most of the sea face of Issued to l\lembers of The North Carolina Literary and the famous fort has been eroded by wind and Historical Association, Incorporated, to Public Libraries, and to Individuals. waves, but the great earthworks of the land face. GRACE B. l\1AIILER, Editor running from the beach back to the river, are still largely intact. They are now almost hidden by myrtle and other growth. Also, Fort Buchanan VISIT HISTORIC SITES at t he extreme south end of Federal Point is still a prominent la ndmark. This was an outpost of Since vacation and traveling time is now with Fort Fisher proper. us again, a cordial invitation is extended by the During the Civil War Fort Fisher kept the Department of Archives and History for you to open to Confederate shipping visit North Carolina's historic sites. Listed below and was responsible for making ·Wilmington the are some of those sites which are sufficiently com­ main center of blockade running in the Con­ pleted to make a trip both worth while and enjoy­ federacy until January, 1865. The Federal con­ a ble. There is no admission charge at any of them. quest of Fort Fisher at that time involved the greatest naval bombardment of a land position ALAMANCE BATTLEGROUND. Located 12 in all history until that elate. miles south of Burlington and two miles south of t he ,·illage of Alamance on N.C. 62. On May 16, AYCOCK BIRTHPLACE. Located half a mile 1771, the colonial militia under Governor Tryon east of the U. S. Highway 117 overpass between defeated the "Regulators," a force of back country Pikeville and Fremont, 14 miles north of Golds­ rebels who were trying to reform corrupt local boro. See story on opposite page. government. Though the Regulators ,vere defeat­ ed in battle, their principles lived on and many BENTONVILLE BATTLEGROUND. Located of them were incorporated in the first North 2 miles east of U. S. Route 701, 12 miles south of Carolina constitution of 1776. Their influence was the junction of U. S. 301 and U. S. 701, which on the side of democratic rather than upper class junction is four miles southwest of Smithfield. rule. On the battlefield is a large illustrated mark­ Here is where the Confederates under General er that tells the story of the battle. Joseph E. Johnston were engaged in battle on March 19-21, 1865, with Sherman's army in the OLD BRUNS\VICK TO\VN. Located on the last major battle of the Civil \Var. You will find lower Cape Fear River just off N.C. 40, adjacent approximately 10 miles of Confederate and Union to Orton Plantation. This is the site of the colonial trenches that run across the battleground; the town of Brunswick, founded in the l 720's and Harper House, used as a Confederate hospital extinct by the 1830's. The massive brick walls of after the fighting and now a historic house mu­ St. Philips Church. the graveyard, and numerous seum. The Harper House is open to the public house foundations mark the town. Also there re­ on Sundays from 1 :00 P.M. to 5 :00 P.M. and at main the earthworks of Fort Anderson, dating other times during the week. Twenty-nine cast from the Civil \Var. Visitors may observe the re­ sults of current archeological digging and walk aluminum markers have been erected on the bat­ the trails that open different parts of the old town t lefield recently. Visitors may follow these mark­ to view. Markers show the way. ers for an automobile tour of the area.

JAMES IREDELL HOUSE. Located in Eden­ TO\VN CREEK INDIAN MOUND. Located ton at 107 S. Church St. right behind the post 14.7 miles west of Candor and 5 miles east of Mt. office. This fine old house was the home of James Gilead between North Carolina highways 731 and Iredell, a justice of the first U. S. Supreme Court, 73. Muskogean-speaking I ndians of the Pee Dee from 1778 until his death in 1799. Admission is region lived here and the area also served as a free upon application to the caretaker who lives council and burying ground 400 or more years in one wing of the house. Recently the rear of the ago. You will find here the temple built upon the house has been restored to its original form and mound. the stockade wall surrounding the entire appearance. The Iredell House has been partially ceremonial area, and a museum containing some furnished with early furniture. of the artifacts that hm·e been excavated. tional Governor,'' and limited picnicking facilities. It is intended to be a living shrine to North Caro­ lina's educational progress and to the sturdy leadership of Governor Aycock which contributed so largely to making it possible. Although the restoration is not yet complete and is not ready for full-scale public use, visitors are welcome to stop by and look at the buildings from the outside. The site is about 14 miles north of Goldsboro, half a mile east of US 117 between Fremont and Pikeville. A marker at the intersec­ tion points the way.

AASLH CONTEST Awards of $500 each will be made to a prof es­

. Hall of H istory P hoto sional and a non-professional writer for the best Dwelling house on t he lef t, kitc hen on t he 1·ight, of the 1,500-word essays on the subject "Reflections Aycock Birthplace S tate H isto1·ic Site. Note "Tumbling" While Standing Before the Lincoln Memorial," it e_ffect in brickwork of birthplace chinrney. has been announced by the American Association for State and Local History and Broadcast Music, AYCOCK BIRTHPLACE Inc. (BMI). One of the two essays will also be Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site has re­ used by BMI as the last program in a public ser­ cently made rapid progress. Restoration of the vice radio series, "The Abraham Lincoln Story, old Aycock dwelling house and kitchen and three 1809-1959," which is made available to all radio outbuildings has been completed and the project and television stations. Some of the distinguished is now ready for the next major phases of develop­ people who have already contributed to this series ment-refurnishing the buildings to the 1860's are Carl Sandburg, Adlai Stevenson, Bruce Cat­ and restoring the grounds, fences, orchard, gar­ ton, Allan Nevins, and Mark Van Doren. den, and other appurtenances to the same period. "This contest is open to anyone in the United It is expected that all this will be done by Novem­ States," Carl Haverlin, BMI's president, said in ber 1, 1959, the 100th anniversary of Governor announcing the competition. "There is no restric­ Aycock's birth. A program of dedication is to be tion as to age or occupation. BMI will award a prize held at the birthplace on that date. of $500 to the best essay written by a person who In addition to restoration, a new access road is not employed as a writer or historian, as well has been built on the line of the original country as a price of $500 to the best essay written by a road that passed the Aycock farm and a parking professional writer, historian, or teacher of Ameri­ lot for about 100 cars has been graded. The con­ can history. The essay to be used in our radio tract has been let for finishing and seeding the series will be selected from the two winning en­ public grounds and other open spaces. Plans are tries." being drawn for a residence for the Historic Site The American Association for State and Local Specialist so that he can give the site round-the­ History is cooperating with BMI in the project clock supervision. and will supervise the contest and selection of Restoration of the historic buildings has been the finalists. Entries should be submitted to Dr. handled by E. F. Taylor Company of Goldsboro, Christopher Crittenden, Secretary, Literary and general contractor for the restoration. Dan Mac­ Historical Association, Box 1881, Raleigh. The Millan Architect and Associates of Fayetteville two best articles will be chosen and forwarded were the architects. R. W. Sawyer, Historic Site to the Madison, Wisconsin, offices of the Associa­ Specialist of the Department of Archives and tion. A semifinal judging will select the five best History, has represented the Department and the entries in the two classes. Final judging of the Aycock Memorial Commission in day-to-day con­ prize-winning essays will be made by a panel of sultations with the contractor. Dr. D. J. Rose of distinguished historians, scholars and outstanding Goldsboro, chairman of the Commission, has as­ Americans. sisted in numberless ways to advance the pro­ Entries must be submitted no later than mid­ ject. night, September 1, 1959. Announcement of win­ When Aycock Birthplace is complete it will ners will be made by February 12, 1960, presenta­ feature the restored original homestead, a museum tion of the awards by April 15, 1960. in which will be exhibited mementoes of Aycock's Entry blanks may be secured by writing to later career as North Carolina's great "Educa- Box 1881, Raleigh. CONFEDERATE CENTENNIAL As yo u have noted, we are as usual meeting jointly with the \Vestern North Carolina Histori­ The 1959 North Carolina General Assembly has cal Association. We have also been invited to at­ enacted "A Bill to be Entitled an Act to Establish tend some of the meetings of the World A ff airs the North Carolina Confederate Centennial Com­ I nstitutc at Blue Ridge, July 24-26. The historical mission." It was introduced into and guided associations will end their session at noon on Sat­ through the Senate by Senator Archie K. Davis of unla~·. but anyone who so desires is invited to re­ Fors:vth; in the House by Representative Thomas main for the meetings of the Institute that day H. \\'oocl ard of Wilson. and Sunclay. This act provides for the people of North Caro­ lina to participate full~· in the proposed centen­ A program fee of $1.00 will be charged members nial programs. It provides as well for a Com­ of the Historical Associations. A program fee of mission to be establi shed to plan and conduct $1.50 will be charged for the World Affairs Insti­ the Centennial commemorative programs. This tute. If you are planning to stay through Sunday, Commission will consist ex officio of the heads you will pay the $1.50. of the State Departments of Public Instruction, Please make your reservations directly to Blue Conservation and Development, and Archives and Ridge Assembly, stating the accommodations you History, and twenty-five members to be appointed want and the meals you are planning to attend. by the Governor, each for a two-year term. The act also states that "it shall be the duty and responsibility of the Commission to cooperate N EW M EMBE RS insofar as practicable with agencies of the United \Ve are glad to welcome 31 new members who States Government, with the agencies of other have joined The North Carolina Literary and State Governments, with unofficial organizations. Historical Association in the period April 15 to and with individuals in the planning and conduct June 15. of its program." The expenses of conducting the program are .'.\lr. and :'..\lrs. " 'ilmer Z. Betts, Raleigh J,. Braxton Craven, Jr., Morganton to be met from the Contingency and Emergency Thomas P. DeGraffenried, Douglaston. Long- Island, Fund. Xew York This legislation came about largely through the George E. Eddins, Jr., Albemarle work of The North Carolina Civil ,var Centennial Alonzo C. Hall, Greensboro Committee of The North Carolina Literary and .Jay B. Hubbell, Durham l\lrs. Plumer H. Liles, Atkinson Historical Association. This Committee was ap­ :'..\fr. and Mrs. W. D. l\lacl\lillan, " 'ilmington proved by the membership at the 1957 annual .'.\1rs. J. Alfred Martin, Jr., Amherst, l\lassachusetts meeting and is made up of 72 interested people Dr. and Mrs. William W. l\lcLendon, Chapel Hill from across the State, with Colonel Hugh Dortch John :'..\IcD. Moore, Lexington of Goldsboro as Chairman. :i.\irs. K. B. Pace, Greenville Dr. and .'.\1rs. Thomas C. Powell, Jr., Raleigh ::\Irs. Harry S. Robinson. Washington, D. C. SUMMER RE G ION AL MEETIN G :i.\irs. Horace P. Robinson, Littleton Mr. and l\lrs. David J. Rose, Jr., Goldsboro Further details concerning the summer regional Robert A. Ross, Chapel Hill meeting at Blue Ridge Assembly are as follows: Miss Marie Ellen Russell, Lumberton Accommodations will be American plan which l\lrs. Daniel M. Shewbrooks, Washington. D. C. includes both room and meals. :i.\Ic?\ eill Smith, Greensboro Twin bedroom with private bath $7.75-$8.25 C. D. Thomas, Wilmington l\lr. ancl l\lrs. H erman W eil, Goldsboro per person per day; t,vin bedroom without bath Worth Wicker, Tarboro $5.50-$6.00 per person per day; children under Benjamin Williams, Raleigh ten, one half adult rate. .'.\1rs. James E. ,voodard, "rilson

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