Volume 9, No. 3 Mecklenburg Historical Association September 2012

Dinner Meeting Monday, September 24, 2012 6:30 pm - Dinner; Program follows at 7:15 pm

Fellowship Hall Trinity Presbyterian Church 3115 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28211

Upcoming Dinner Program “Captain Jack Rides Again” By Tony Zeiss

Monday, September 24th, at Trinity Presbyterian Dr. Zeiss, trusted to assure that the interpretation along Church. Dinner is at 6:30 followed by the program at president of the trail is historically accurate. We are 7:15. Those not having dinner are welcome to enjoy Central Pied- fortunate to have someone of his stature as the program at no charge. To make reservations for mont Com- a major player in this endeavor. Dr. Zeiss is dinner use the order form on page 3 and mail to munity Col- the recipient of the 2012 Whitney M. Young Linda Dalton, 2401 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC lege, is pas- Humanitarian Award presented by The Ur- 28211 or contact Linda at 704-661-8470 or sionate about ban Lengue; the 2012 Jack Callaghan Cor- [email protected]. history. He nerstone Award presented by Goodwill In- was instru- dustries of the Southern , and the Dr. Tony Zeiss will appear as Mecklenburg patriot mental in 2012 recipient of the UNC Charlotte Distin- Captain James Jack. We are all familiar with Cap- situating the guished Service Award. Dr. Zeiss and his tain Jack’s heroic ride to Philadelphia in 1775 carry- Captain Jack wife, Beth, have two sons and two grandchil- ing the newly penned Mecklenburg Declaration of statue in the dren. Independence and the Mecklenburg Resolves to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway at the very . But there was much more to visible corner of 4th Street and Kings Drive. Tony’s presentations are filled with humor, the man than this one meritorious journey. Just who He has also actively raised funds and enthusiasm, and energy; we’re sure to have was James Jack, and why was he chosen to be the planned for future statues and plaques along a rousing good time. bearer of these treasonous documents We’ll hear all the Trail of History. Because of his immer- about this interesting fellow and the times he lived in sion in local history he is one of those en- from the man himself.

Inside this issue:

Remarks from the President 2 Charlotte Museum of History... 2

Charlotte Liberty Walk 3 Membership Renewals 3 Reservation Form 3 MHA Docent Program 4 The History Calendar 5-6 The MHA meets in Trinity Presby- terian Church’s Fellowship Hall. 3115 Providence Road PAGE 222 MHA NEWS | MECKLENBURG HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Remarks from the President amazing program planned for us on the histo- See you on September 24th to meet Captain Greetings to everyone! The first of our two fall ry of WBT radio, which celebrates its 90th Jack! programs will be a great one with Dr. Tony anniversary this year. Three Charlotteans Zeiss coming to us as Captain James Jack. decided to pool their equipment and set up a Linda Dalton, President Please don’t miss this informative and enter- radio station in one of their homes in 1920. In [email protected] taining program. The installation of the history April of 1922, they were issued a license for 704.661.8470 exhibit on Concourse A at the Charlotte Doug- the first commercial radio station in the South- las International Airport is complete, featuring east. The call letters were…WBT. Artifacts Captain James Jack. We are thrilled with this will be on display for this truly local and inter- opportunity to share part of Charlotte’s history esting program. Please mark your calendars with all the visitors who come through the for November 12th. airport. The picture of the exhibit includes Audrey Millichamp, MHA Docent Chairman. Special thanks to Jim and Ann Williams who Please look for the exhibit when you visit the produce the MHA Docent newsletter and allow airport. me to borrow heavily from it! Let me know if you have any suggestions for MHA and Our November dinner meeting will be on Mon- please bring your friends to our dinner meet- day, November 12th (in order to avoid ings and encourage them to join. Thanksgiving week). Jane Johnson has an

building to see how it might be best used to serve the 1960’s for example. We want to make sure rare relics The Charlotte Museum of community. The Museum building was built in 1999 of Charlotte’s history continue to be preserved and and has 32,000 sq. feet. This building is more than made accessible to the most people possible. We are History is Not History can be supported by the History Museum alone, so looking at how best and where best to preserve and we are looking for partners in the nonprofit communi- offer these items for public study. Some will stay with In May the Charlotte Museum of History an- ty to come share these quarters with us. We are the Charlotte Museum of History and some might be nounced that they were temporarily suspend- reaching out to any nonprofit with education, history better offered through other history organizations. I ing public operations. Financial problems, or culture in their mission statement and quantitative heard a rumor we were selling our collection and that Is many resulting from the recession, made it measures of program excellence. not only untrue, but not good practice – we were en- impossible to continue with business as usual. trusted with these items over past decades and need to It seemed prudent to step back and explore Another plan underway is looking at how and when respect the intentions of the donors and collectors who we can re-open the Hezekiah Alexander home site shared them with the Museum. their options. Meanwhile rumors arose that and grounds to the public and school tours. We the museum was permanently closed, and the currently offer “Guide by Cell” phone tours for the And of course, we are planning our program areas for 1774 Alexander home would be abandoned. general public Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 the future. We are looking at the possibility of bringing These rumors are entirely false. Hezekiah am to 5 pm but we hope to have docents and volun- history closer to the community by being less bound to Alexander’s beautiful rock house is safe. It is teers recruited to help us make Charlotte’s historic the Shamrock Road location, though still using that as owned by the Methodist Church, and is leased home once again accessible to the public and school our ‘base camp.’ We are exploring ideas for another to the museum for maintenance and operation groups in early 2013. In order to do this, we will location and/or using others’ premises to tell Charlotte’s have to rely more on volunteer docents than in the stories and share our local history. as an historic site. The church and the Al- past when we had some paid staff to help greet dersgate retirement community have always tours, work in the gift shop, and interpret the history On September 15, we are having a one-time special been good stewards of the historic home and of the house and the Alexander family. event at the Charlotte Museum of History, An Historic will certainly continue to be so in the future. Evening, for the public to experience what the Alexan- We have recently re-opened the Museum building for der family life was like at twilight. We will have other The museum is hard at work reassessing their special events with a contracted professional meet- history organizations sharing information tables and situation and making great progress. The ing planner. We evaluated the rates we charged for materials, food trucks in our parking lot for refreshment special events and found our ‘advertised’ rates were and some community information sessions for those Dandelion editors asked the museum’s interim competitive but in reality, we were offered very large interested to hear more about what’s being planned for director Kathy Ridge to submit an article out- discounts to most every group and as a result, suf- the Museum, and to ask questions and share ideas with lining their plans and progress. She was de- fered financial losses. We have now modified our us. We hope to see many of you there! lighted for the opportunity. The following is rates and plan to be consistent in our pricing includ- her report. ing offering nonprofit groups a 20% discount. There Kathy Ridge is information now on the Museum’s website includ- Interim Director, Charlotte Museum of History - - - - ing an information request form for any group desir- - - - - August 20, 2012 ing to rent space for an upcoming special event: www.Charlottemusuem.org Kathy Ridge is also hosting community input The Charlotte Museum of History regrettably had to discussions at the Museum during the Sept. 15 close operations to the public temporarily beginning Thanks to dedicated and very conscientious volun- event at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 pm. Anyone who teers, we have underway a full inventory of the Mu- May 26 but is very much alive! Since the tempo- wants to know what is being planned or with seum’s collections – over 7,000 items. We are rary suspension of public operations the remaining opinions and ideas should attend and express staff, of program director, historian and curator, and learning that many of these items are not from Char- interim director, Kathy Ridge, has been hard at work lotte/Mecklenburg. Of course, every item given to their views. They really want to hear from you. implementing a six fold plan for the Museum. One the Museum was precious to whoever donated it, but For details see the History Calendar in this news- part of that plan is looking at the Shamrock Museum not all are historically significant – toys from the letter.

V I S I T U S O N L I N E @ W W W . M ECKDEC . O R G PAGE 333 MHA NEWS | MECKLENBURG HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Announcing the Charlotte Liberty Walk

Charlotte has Liberty Walk focuses on the period of long had a the and extends number of in a loop about three-quarters of a mile bronze long around uptown. Engraved granite plaques in the markers with the “Captain Jack on uptown area Horseback” logo have been embedded commemorating historical events, but in the sidewalks marking the path. they were difficult to find. This spring a Brochures detailing the walk are availa- group of historians from the MHA, along ble at the Visitors Bureau uptown and with city leaders and led by Scott Seifert at a number of historic sites. There will of the May 20th Society marked out a also be an interactive video program path connecting these plaques and add- which can be accessed from your com- ing some new ones. The Charlotte Lib- puter or i-phone that tells in more detail erty Walk will be completed at the end what happened at each station and of August with the installation of a stone illustrates it with scenes painted by monument with a bronze plaque com- noted local artist Dan Nance. The next memorating the signing of the Mecklen- time you are uptown, grab a brochure burg Declaration on the square at Trade or turn on your i-phone to and Tryon. The formal dedication will www.charlottelibertywalk.com and walk be September (see Duke Mansion The Charlotte Liberty Walk. event in the History Calendar). The

Membership Renewals Most of you have renewed for calendar 2012. If you have not, or are joining for the first time, please fill in the form, make your check payable to Mecklenburg Historical Association, and mail to MHA, P.O. Box 35032, Charlotte, NC 28235. If your employer has a matching grant program or if you retired from such an organization, include the matching grant form with your check.

Membership form: Name ______Address ______City, State and Zip ______Please send my MHA Newsletter by:  Email  U.S. Mail  Both E-Mail Address ______

September 24, 2012 Dinner Meeting Reservation Form

Mail to: Mecklenburg Historical Association c/o Linda Dalton, 2401 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 or email: [email protected] Please make checks payable to Mecklenburg Historical Association. Questions? Please email Linda Dalton ([email protected]) or call her at 704.661.8470. Please mail your check one week before the dinner so we know how many meals we need.

Enclosed: $______(total) for ______seats ($12 for Seniors) $______(total) for ______seats ($14 for all others)

MHA Docent Program The October meeting will be held in the Fellowship The Historical Cooking Guild of the Hart Square Tickets Hall of Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church. Refresh- Catawba Valley ments at 9:30, business meeting at 10, and program Eatin’ High on the Hog When the Power Goes Out For more than thirty years, Dr. Robert Hart of Hickory at 11. Visitors are always welcome. has rescued and restored life in the Carolinas in the

The cooking guild will teach a workshop on Saturday, nineteenth century, recreating an entire village, Hart Tuesday, October 2, 2012 September 22 showing how historical cooking meth- Square – the largest collection of original historic log The Wallis’s Pay a Visit to Sugar Creek ods can be utilized in modern emergencies. It buildings in the United States. Each year on the fourth seems that some ladies seasoned in hearth cooking Saturday in October, (October 27th this year), Dr. and You may not have heard of Ezekiel and Lydia Wallis. became neighborhood heroes during local power Mrs. Hart open this restoration project to the public. They were not important historical figures, but well failures by sharing their well-honed skills. Many of Dating from 1782 to 1873, the seventy log structures— positioned to report on those who were. Lydia’s today’s cooks have no idea how to feed themselves chapels, barns, houses, shops, and more—are all fur- daughter was the mother of James K. Polk, and without modern conveniences, a situation the cook- nished, and over 250 volunteer artisans demonstrate Ezekiel’s son was the minister who refused to bap- ing guild plans to remedy. Workshop topics include the period techniques such as flax breaking and hack- tize the future president. Their ties to Alexander taking stock of equipment and supplies; kitchen ling, spinning, weaving, herb dying, open-hearth cook- Craighead, and the Providence and Waxhaw com- safety in the dark; adapting hearth cooking to the ing, broom and shoe making, bookbinding, shingle munities provide excellent fodder for stories, gossip, fireplace, fire pit, or gas cooker; and washing dishes riving, wheelwrighting, tinsmithing, moonshining, and and rumor, including a bizarre tale that borders on in a bucket in the sunshine. This is a hands-on much more. witchcraft. Although members of the Sugar Creek workshop, and a luscious meal will be prepared for Presbyterian congregation, Ezekiel and Lydia usually the group to enjoy. If you are interested in historical Advanced tickets are required since this event always worshiped at Providence where Ezekiel’s son cooking, or simply want to be prepared for emergen- sells out early. You can get tickets by calling the Ca- preached. On October 2, 1803, they’ll pay a visit to cies, this is a workshop for you. tawba County Museum of History in Newton at 9 am on their home church bringing lots of stories to tell. Monday, October 1 but, as participants, we can order The workshop will be held on September 22nd, from tickets for you. Make your check out to Jim Williams for Ann and Jim Williams have researched a number of 9 am to 2 pm at the James K. Polk State Historic $25.00 per ticket and mail it, along with a self- old Mecklenburg families, and done first person Site. It is limited to ten participants, ages 18 and up, addressed stamped envelope to: interpretations of some of them. Several years ago and the fee is $20. To register email Leila Merims at they did a program for the Providence Presbyterian [email protected]. Jim and Ann Williams Church homecoming. They portrayed Ezekiel and 1601 South Wendover Road Lydia, thinking the opinions of observers of historical Charlotte, NC 28211 events might provide a different perspective from those who were caught up in them. The docent We must receive your check by September 6 to get program will draw from that research, but be tailored these tickets. We will receive the tickets by mid- for the Sugar Creek setting. October and mail them on to you.

”Preserving Mecklenburg’s Heritage”

Post Office Box 35032 Charlotte, 28235 Phone: 704-333-6422

V I S I T U S O N L I N E W W W . MECKDEC . O R G The History Calendar—page 5 Admission charged at all events un- Midnight Tour, Saturday, October Cooking With Sukey Workshop, Sat- less otherwise noted. Check the 27, 11pm – 1am. urday October 20, from 10am to 4pm Charlotte Regional History Consorti- Rosedale has been dubbed one of Taught by Clarissa Clifton, an experi- um website for other events. Charlotte’s most-haunted houses by enced food historian, this workshop is www.charlotteregionalhistory.org the Charlotte Paranormal Society. a wonderful introduction to the tech- Spend “the witching hour” inside the niques of open-hearth cooking. Pre- Historic Rosedale plantation house hearing the stories registration is required and includes all 3427 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, of those who have met some of workshop materials. Check out our 704 335 0325, Rosedale’s former inhabitants. $85; website’s ‘Workshops’ page for details. http://www.historicrosedale.org on-line registration only; limit 6. Ghost Walk, Friday October 26 and Saturday October 27, from 7—10pm Victorian Funeral, Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7, from 1 Experience the darker side of Latta Latta Plantation to 4 pm. and discover what goes bump in the 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, Sickness hits the plantation! Join us night, at the Ghost Walk. Venture NC, 704 875 2312, at Historic Rosedale, pay your re- through the plantation on a candlelit www.lattaplantation.org spects to the Caldwell family and tour of historic proportions. Groups will their slaves as they bury their loved survive an explosive Civil War Battle- World War II Living History, Satur- ones, and learn the funerary practic- field, the haunted plantation house, a day September 29, from 10 am to 4 es of the 1840’s. Tickets may be cemetery, the old kitchen, an insane pm, and Sunday September 30, purchased on-line beginning Sep- asylum, and more. Groups will depart from 1 to 4 pm. tember 24th or at the door. every few minutes. Not recommended World War II is coming to Latta Plan- for children under 10. tation for Living History based on the Spirit Encounter, Friday October Allied Troops preparing for the 1943 26 and Wednesday October 31, at invasion into France. There will be 8 pm. Hugh Torance House & Store many interactive displays, briefings, Some believe former inhabitants still 8231 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC, and demos describing navigation reside at Rosedale and many believe www.torancehouseandstore.org using a compass, simulated rifle / they visit. Join us as we walk in the grenade ranges, bayonet training, steps of those who worked, lived, Sunday Site Tours, September 2 and and much more. and died at Rosedale Plantation. 16, and October 7 and 21, from 2 to

Will Elbert, the “conjure man,” or 5 pm. All Hallows Eve, Saturday October Archibald, the ill-fated original owner The circa 1779 log house and its 1805 13, from 10 am to 4 pm. make themselves known? Tour in- Federal addition was the residence of Come experience the history of Hal- cludes the 1815 plantation house. two generations of the Torance family. loween and its famous characters. $65, on-line registration only; limit 8. Part of the building became a store There will be trick or treating around from 1805 – 1825. The site eventually the plantation, Halloween baking in Ghost Walk, Saturday October 27 became a 3000 acre cotton plantation the kitchen, storytelling, pumpkin and Wednesday October 31, at 6 worked by over 100 slaves. After the painting, a costume contest, and and 8 pm. October tours the site will be closed for more. Some believe former inhabitants still the winter. reside at Rosedale. Join us as we Ghost Tales in the Dark, Fridays walk in the steps of those who October 12 and 19, and Saturdays worked, lived, and died here as you October 13 and 20. Charlotte Folk Society hear the stories of those that have Tour the plantation by candlelight Great Aunt Stella Center, experienced the paranormal at the and hear ghost stories from staff and 926 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte plantation. This tour is on the volunteers, and from previous ghost www.folksociety.org grounds only. $15; on -line registra- hunts. RSVP is required and the cost tion only; limit 20. is $12 per person. You must be 10 Charlotte Folk Society Gathering

years or older. Call 704-875-2312 to Concert & Jams. Both events free;

register. Registration will open late programs 7:30 pm; doors open at 7.

September. Friday September 14: African stories, dance and song by The Healing Force. The History Calendar—page 6 namesake. The gift shop will be Other Sites with Upcoming Tuesday October 9: Riley Baugus open with ALL merchandise at 50% Events (banjo) and Kirk Sutphin (fiddle), off. masters of the Round Peak old time Andrew Jackson State Park music tradition. The Museum is also hosting commu- www.southcarolinaparks.com/park- nity input discussions at the Museum finder/state-park/1797.aspx building during this event at 5:30,

6:30 and 7:30 pm. Anyone who President James K. Polk Cowpens National Battlefield wants to know what is being planned State Historic Site www.nps.gov/cowp or with opinions and ideas should 12031 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville, NC, attend and express their views. (704) 889-7145 Fort Dobbs State Historic Site They really want to hear from you. www.polk.nchistoricsites.org www.fortdobbs.org

Gaston County Museum Matthews Historical Founda- Duke Mansion www.gastoncountymuseum.org 400 Hermitage Road, Charlotte tion (704) 714-4448 Guilford Courthouse National Military Programs held at the Matthews www.dukemansion.com Park, www.nps.gov/guco/index.htm Woman’s Club,

208 South Trade Street Charlotte’s New Liberty Walk, Historic Brattonsville matthewshistoricalfoundation.org Sunday September 16 at 3 pm, www.chmuseums.org/brattonsville

Free

Why is Charlotte called the “hornet’s Historical Center of York County

Charlotte Museum of History nest of rebellion?” You’ll know the www.chmuseums.org/ourmuseums/his 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC, answer when Charlotte’s May 20th tcenter/index.htm (704) 568 1774 Society and Central Piedmont Com- http://www.charlottemuseum.org munity College unveil the Liberty Kings Mountain National Military Park

Walk, a new multi-media resource http://www.nps.gov/kimo Special Museum Opening and an that lets you explore Charlotte’s Rev- Evening at the Alexanders, Saturday olutionary War sites in the Uptown Kings Mountain State Park September 15, from 5 to 9 pm. area. The event is free but reserva- www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-

tions are required. To reserve your finder/state-park/945.aspx The Charlotte Museum of History will spot, email [email protected] or call be open for a one-time special public 704/714-4448. The McCelvey Center program Admission to the museum is www.chmuseums.org/ourmuseums/his free, with a $5 fee for a tour of the tcenter historic Hezekiah Alexander house. Mount Holly Historical Local historic sites and organizations Mount Holly, NC Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site will share their information with the Society www.nchistoricsites.org/reed/reed.htm community. Food trucks will also be here, so come hungry. Historic Hoyle Homestead Open Rural Hill House, Saturday September 8 www.ruralhill.net Costumed docents will give guests a from 10 am to 2 pm, Free. Come join us at Gaston County’s peek into the lives of the Alexander oldest home, the Hoyle House, circa Schiele Museum family after the sun went down. late 1700's, located on the Dallas- www.schielemuseum.org Learn about evening meals, activi- Stanley Highway (Near Riverside ties, and entertaining in colonial Fish Camp). Enjoy a fun-filled day of times. Visitors are encouraged to history, crafts, re-enactors, home bring flashlights. Explore the muse- tours, guest speakers, and BBQ. um’s permanent galleries, including the Sophie Charlotte exhibit which looks at the life of Queen Charlotte – the English monarch that is our city’s