december 2011 marc news

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Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives, P. O. Box 84, Wentworth, NC 27375 www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com | (336) 3944965 | [email protected] MARC NEWS Museum & Archives of Rockingham County WENTWORTH (336) 3944965 IN THIS ISSUE Feature Article 1 MARC Grand Opening 2 The MARC Brand 3 Mr. History’s Highlights from the Past 4 Recent & Upcoming Events 5-6 RCHSMA in Action 7 Shared History: The Modernistic Club 8 RCHSMA People 9 Research Pointers 10 Letter from the Director 11 MARC your Calendar 12 EditorinChief: Kim Proctor Contribu5ng Editors: Lucy Berry Jean Bullins Rebecca Cipriani Fletcher Dalton Robbin Dodson Judy Wall Brenda Ward Ginger Waynick Contribu5ng Photographers: Brandon Manuel Kim Proctor County Historian: Bob Carter Design, Layout: Rebecca Cipriani Printed by: Twin Rivers Prin5ng & Graphic Arts, Inc. Madison, NC A quarterly publication of the Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives Vol. 1, No. 4 December 2011 Wright Tavern’s Restoration Celebration On November 11 th , we celebrated the completion of the restoration project at Wright Tavern. Over 250 people from throughout our community, the Greensboro area, and southern Virginia attended. The results of the restoration and the new exhibits that have been added to these spaces insure a richer experience for visitors to our historic site. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Marion S. Covington Foundation, who funded the project in part, and to Si Rothrock, who lent his skills and love of historic restoration as the contractor on the project. At the celebration event, James and Honesta Dobyns and Rich Seybert were honored for their long years of service to the Historical Society. We thank them for taking our organization to the next level to preserve and share our history. The Antebellum Kitchen Interior (Before Restoration) The Antebellum Smokehouse (Before Restoration) The Interior Staircase (Before Restoration) The Antebellum Kitchen Interior (After Restoration) The Antebellum Smokehouse (After Restoration) The Interior Staircase (After Restoration)

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Full Color Version of the Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives Newsletter

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Page 1: December 2011 MARC News

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375    www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

MARC NEWS Museum  &  ArchivesofRockingham  CountyWENTWORTH (336)  394-­‐4965

 IN  THIS  ISSUE

Feature Article 1

MARC Grand Opening 2

The MARC Brand 3

Mr. History’s Highlights from the Past

4

Recent & Upcoming Events 5-6

RCHSMA in Action 7

Shared History: The Modernistic Club

8

RCHSMA People 9

Research Pointers 10

Letter from the Director 11

MARC your Calendar 12

Editor-­‐in-­‐Chief: Kim  Proctor

Contribu5ng  Editors:

Lucy  BerryJean  BullinsRebecca  CiprianiFletcher  DaltonRobbin  DodsonJudy  WallBrenda  WardGinger  Waynick

Contribu5ng  Photographers:

Brandon  ManuelKim  Proctor

County  Historian: Bob  Carter

Design,  Layout: Rebecca  Cipriani

Printed  by: Twin  Rivers  Prin5ng  &  Graphic  Arts,  Inc.  Madison,  NC

A quarterly publication of the Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives

Vol. 1, No. 4December 2011

Wright Tavern’s Restoration Celebration

On November 11th, we celebrated the completion of the restoration project at Wright Tavern. Over 250 people from throughout our community, the Greensboro area, and southern Virginia attended. The results of the restoration and the new exhibits that have been added to these spaces insure a richer experience for visitors to our historic site.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the Marion S. Covington Foundation, who funded the project in part, and to Si Rothrock, who lent his skills and love of historic restoration as the contractor on the project.

At the celebration event, James and Honesta Dobyns and Rich Seybert were honored for their long years of service to the Historical Society. We thank them for taking our organization to the next level to preserve and share our history.

The Antebellum Kitchen Interior

(Before Restoration)

The Antebellum Smokehouse

(Before Restoration)

The Interior Staircase(Before Restoration)

The Antebellum Kitchen Interior

(After Restoration)

The Antebellum Smokehouse

(After Restoration)

The Interior Staircase (After Restoration)

Page 2: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE2

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

Page 3: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE3

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

 www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

The MARC Brand

From the very beginning, when a museum for Rockingham County was little more than a concept, the organizing committee recognized the need for a logo to represent the museum and its purpose. Thus, the search for a relevant symbol began. We were fortunate to have advice and assistance from a public relations firm made available to us by Newbridge Bank. We also valued input from Kitty Williams of

Madison, a board member and professional artist. We focused on architectural details of the tavern and of the courthouse building, looking for a distinct image to use as the basis of the graphic design.

Over this past summer, Reidsville native and RCHSMA intern, Lisa Meador, joined the search for a logo. While Lisa was photographing the courthouse one day, in hopes of capturing a graphic for the logo, she noticed the beautiful Victorian iron work on the front of the old jail across the street. Lisa said, “I was immediately drawn to the graphic beauty and simplicity of the design.” Her first attempts to create a logo from photographs failed due to problems with lighting and angles. Lisa solved the problem. She drew the design and digitized it. Her final submission was met with great enthusiasm from the RCHSMA staff and Board of Directors, and has been formally approved as the official logo for the Museum and Archives of Rockingham County (MARC).The ways in which the logo represents the goals and purposes established for MARC is open to interpretation. For Lisa, scrolls symbolic of the four geographic regions of the county are tied together in a central circle at the heart of the design. The arch which encompasses all four binds them together as one to “symbolize our collective history as a county, fulfilling MARC’s intention to unite us as one and share our great heritage.” Dr. Lindley Butler describes the outer circle as “a sunburst symbolizing knowledge radiating from the center. To me, it suggests ideas, information, and artifacts being drawn to a central museum.” For RCHSMA Executive Director Kim Proctor, the logo is reminiscent of symbols dating to the Age of Enlightenment. Those symbols, “often included a central point and radiating elements that represented the sharing

of wisdom and knowledge with the world. Our logo does the same. The circular center rays expand out. In my mind the center is the museum, the radiating lines represent our intent to share knowledge and wisdom and to promote self-discovery throughout the county.”The logo is beautiful and distinctive, and will be the pivotal piece in our branding and marketing campaigns for the MARC. We look forward to seeing it on signs and advertisements and on people wearing MARC shirts, hats and other museum shop items!

Meet our logo artist, Lisa Meador

• Native of Rockingham County

• BA in Architecture from Virginia Tech

• MA in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design

• She is currently working on a Virginia State University Project and

• The RJR Tobacco Warehouse rehabilitation in Winston-Salem.

Thank you Lisa, you left your mark on the

MARC!

Tavern Hours Office Hours

Thursday & Friday10 am to 4 pm

Tuesday-Friday 10 am to 4 pm

AND BY APPOINTMENTAND BY APPOINTMENT

Page 4: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE4

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

Mr. History’s Highlights from the PastBob Carter, County Historian

What a “Patriot” Reporter Saw and Learned in this Town.From: The Greensboro Patriot 16 Dec. 1887

This beautiful and prosperous town is situated 20 miles Southwest of Danville, Va., and 12 miles Northwest of Reidsville, near the waters of Smiths River in Rockingham county[sic], being the terminus of DM & SW Railroad. Ten years ago Leaksville was almost unknown in North Carolina, now she has a population of 2,000 inhabitants, 4 dry goods stores, 1 clothing store, 2 grocery stores, 2 millinery stores, 3 mantna maker shops, 6 tobacco factories, 1 drug store, 1 jewelry shop, 3 warehouses, 1 harness shop, 2 shoe shops, 1 coach and buggy factory, 3 blacksmith shops, 1 dentist, 2 hotels, 2 furniture stores, 1 high school, 1 cotton factory, 1 woolen mill, 2

flouring mills, 2 grist mills, 1 foundry, 4 white churches, 1 colored church, 1 taylor shop, 2 saw mills, 1 newspaper, 2 restaurants, 1 barber shop, 1 stencil cutter, 1 tinner, a market house, a town hall 50x60 feet, and 1 hardware store. The following is a partial list of the business men of the town: Messrs. Moir & Price, proprietors of the Leaksville clothing house occupy a building 22x60 feet, on main street, opposite the Central Hotel, and deal in clothing and gents’ furnishing goods they keep on hand a first-class stock of everything in their line, they deal strictly on a cash system thus enabling them to sell goods very low. Their capital stock is $4,000. Mr. D. R. Ellington the leading grocery man occupies a building 24x62, 2 stories, on main street, three doors above the clothing house, and carries a full line of first-class selected groceries and confectioneries… Mr. J. H. Hampton proprietor of the Leaksville coach and buggy factory, manufactures all styles of carriages, buggies and wagons… He uses the best grade of material, and the workmanship is first-class. Why do our people send their mony[sic] North when Southern manufacture is far superior. Mr. B. F. Ivey, dealer in groceries, occupies a building opposite the Leaksville Warehouse on Main Street, and handles a first-class stock of goods… He came there a few years past a poor man. Mr. A. L. Younts, furniture dealer, keeps always on hand a full line of the best grade of work. He also keeps first-class coffins and casket, both wood and mettle[sic], and manufacturer shuck and straw mattresses… Mr. J. C. Harris the livery man keeps first-class horses and vehicles to convey drummers and others to and from the different points across the country. His stock is always ready and in fine order at very reasonable prices. Rev. D. E. Field, general dry goods dealer, keeps on hand a first-class stock of goods, and anything in that line you call for. He is a clever honest dealer and deserves a liberal patronage. Prof. B. W. Ray is principle of the Leaksville practical high school… This school has been in operation 2 years and has enrolled about 100 students male and female, is represented from Virginia, North and South Carolina… Mr. A. T. Hopper, Propr. of the Central Hotel, is one of the most clever men I ever met. He uses every effort to make the stay of his guests pleasant… This hotel is located in the business part of the town and is highly recommended. This town is connected with Reidsville by a daily hack line, run by Master J. H. King, he is a bright trustworthy boy, his rates are cheap and time correct. This town is located as it is between Dan and Smith Rivers, is almost surrounded by fine bottom land, well adapted to grain, the upland is well timbered and fertile, near the town is two fine mineral springs and being in a healthy section bids fair to add another link to our list of summer resorts and is fast growing into a first class tobacco market. Berry, a new place just opening up…, this place is owned by C. W. Mobley & Co., and consists of a store 30x60, a first-class steam saw mill, this is a new enterprise and worthy of note... They keep constantly on hand a good stock of lumber at very reasonable prices. They are goahead [sic] energetic men and deserve credit for their enterprise…

Page 5: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE5

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

 www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

Recent & Upcoming Events

A  Visit  to  the  Se+le-­‐Reid-­‐Mar3n  Cemetery  

On October 30th, about twenty of us travelled and traipsed to meet at the Settle-Reid-Martin Cemetery (the final resting place of, among others, Thomas Settle and possibly Governor Alexander Martin) for an afternoon of clean-up, history, and fellowship. Our historians, Bob Carter and Charles Rodenbough, presented a program that enthralled us all. Descendants of the family, members of our organization, and three new, local visitors participated and spruced things up at the cemetery. Several joined RCHSMA that day. It was a beautiful day inside and out.

Virginia Douglas Bell Vanstory, from Blowing Rock, North Carolina wrote to us afterwards. “The Settle-Martin-Reid Cemetery haunts me with what I do not know. I can read the dates, locations and relations of the people buried there, maybe see a photograph and try to read a face. But I will never know what the people thought and felt, what they cherished, what gave them pleasure day to day, how they saw their lives and the events in our then younger nation. I wish the dead could speak and I could listen.”

Many of us share that sentiment. We may never know the precise answers to these questions, but when we come together with the memories of generations and historical reconstruction, we can imagine.

A  Sunday  at  Fairview  Farm

More than 200 visitors from all areas of Rockingham County and surrounding counties attended the Open House at Fairview Farm on September 25. John and Peggy Burton kindly opened their home that day to benefit the Eden Historical Museum and RCHSMA’s Lillian M. Coleman Leadership Challenge Grant. The event raised over $1000 for the Challenge Grant.Fairview Farm includes the historic 1895 home, a country store and museum. The Burtons have been collecting clocks, music boxes and other items for decades, and the collection includes items from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Just seeing their old but familiar treasures sparked many fond memories for their guests. The Open House provided the first opportunity for future museum volunteers to be trained as docents, as they learned the etiquette and techniques for managing tour groups. The day also provided both volunteers and visitors the opportunity to see old friends and make new acquaintances, as people milled about on the lawn to enjoy conversations and food provided by the Wentworth Ruritan Club. We are appreciative of John and Peggy’s hospitality, the service of a host of volunteers, and the overwhelming enthusiasm and support of all who attended!

DO  YOU  KNOW  THIS  MAN?    Here are a few hints.

This young man (an electrician in the Navy during the 1940s and an American Tobacco Company manager) adored the “pretty girls” in Reidsville.

He, Mutt Brown and Phil Link considered themselves the local ‘rat pack.’

His father built the first car in the county in 1912. It was displayed at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933.

He ran away to the circus in the 1980s. He built the most beautiful calliopes.

Have you guessed who he is, yet? Find the answer and a current picture on page 9.

Volunteer Docent Nell Rose shows some of the Clock Collection in

the Sunroom of the Burton home.

Page 6: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE6

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

Recent & Upcoming Events

Christmas  at  the  TavernHelp  us  celebrate  an  old  fashioned  Christmas  at  Wright  Tavern  on  Sunday,  December  11.  The  Tavern  will  don  historically  accurate  holiday  decora5ons,  with  the  upstairs  adorned  in  the  simple  charm  of  the  early  19th  century  while  the  first  floor  displays  the  embellishment  of  the  late  1800s  Victorian  era.  In  addi5on  to  faithfully  recreated  decora5ons  of  fresh  boxwood,  beeswax,  etc.,  period  specific  holiday  treats  will  be  served.  Guided  tours  will  be  available.  

As  a  bonus  this  year,  Mr.  Richard  Teague  is  graciously  opening  High  Rock  Farm  to  us.  Built  in  1807,  Mr.  Teague’s  home  is  a  fine  example  of  the  short-­‐lived  Federal  style  of  architecture.  This  local  landmark  is  known  for  its  beauty,  especially  during  the  holiday  season.  Don’t  miss  the  opportunity  to  visit  this  rarely  exhibited  private  home.  Light  refreshments  will  be  served  and  tours  will  be  available.

Tours  of  the  Tavern  will  begin  at  1:30pm  and  con5nue  un5l  3:30pm.  High  Rock  Farm  tours  will  begin  at  3:00pm  and  con5nue  un5l  5:30pm.  

Tickets  for  this  event  are  $10  per  person  and  cover  the  cost  of  admission  to  both  houses.    There  are  only  100  5ckets  available.  Tickets  are  available  in  advance  by  calling  the  RCHSMA  office,  336-­‐394-­‐4965,  or  by  sending  an  email  to  [email protected].  Remaining  5ckets  will  be  available  at  Wright  Tavern  on  the  day  of  the  event.  Each  5cket  provides  access  to  both  the  Tavern  and  High  Rock  Farm,  and  as  always  all  proceeds  will  be  used  to  save  our  county’s  history.    

Board  Holds  First  Mee3ng  at  the  Historic  Courthouse

RCHSMA  Meets  at  the  MARC!  The  Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives  (RCHSMA)  Board  of  Directors  held  its  first  mee5ng  in  the  historic  courthouse,  now  known  as  the  Museum  &  Archives  of  Rockingham  County  (MARC)!    The  November  19,  2011  mee5ng  took  place  in  the  Superior  Courtroom.  As  we  shared  this  notable  occasion  together,  we  thankfully  pondered  the  significance  of  the  space,  the  amount  of  work,  and  the  level  of  involvement  it  took  to  bring  us  to  that  place.

Our  commigee  chairs  presented  quarterly  reports.  Here  are  a  few  excerpts  from  the  Minutes  of  the  mee5ng,  prepared  by  Secretary  Kigy  Williams.

●  “Besides  their  carefully  researched  and  essen5al  contribu5ons  to  the  new  rooms  at  Wright  Tavern  and  their  con5nuing  research  into  various  areas  of  African  American  History  in  Rockingham  County,  the  African  American  CommiVee  is  making  plans  to  do  family  genealogy  training  and  will  con5nue  their  collec5on  of  oral  histories.”  

●  The  ExecuWve  CommiVee  “distributed  a  current  financial  overview  but  moved  that  we  approve  con5nued  work  on  the  2012  budget  un5l  February  when  the  complete  2012  budget  will  be  ready…The  mo5on  passed…    [They]  presented  the  slate  of  2012  Officers  as  recommended  by  the  Nomina5ng  Commigee  [to  replace  those  officers  whose  term  expires  December  31st]…  The  Board  approved  the  slate  of  officers.”    A  proposal  for  a  Board  Retreat  in  mid-­‐January  was  presented  and  approved.

●“The  Programs  CommiVee  has  produced  several  programs  this  fall,  and  besides  being  worthy  in  their  own  right,  these  have  

created  bonds  between  RCHSMA  and  the  greater  community…  [the  commigee  is  excited]  about  their  developing  partnership  with  the  County  Schools,”  as  well.  

●  “The  PresentaWon  CommiVee  is  going  full  steam  ahead  and  has  set  up  a  5meline  for  work  to  complete  the  support  exhibits  for  Journey  Stories.”  Agendees  were  reminded  that  “during  the  weeks  Journey  Stories  is  actually  running,  MARC  will  need  many  volunteers.”

●  “The  PreservaWon  CommiVee  is  currently  planning  the  space,  workflow,  equipment  needs  and  opera5onal  system  for  the  MARC  Archives.”

●  “The  Publicity  and  Membership  CommiVee  reported  on  their  growing  efforts  with  the  Newsleger,  social  media,  flyers,  challenge  grant  legers,  membership  forms,  marke5ng  material,  media  contact  list,  etc.    Our  lists  of  contacts,  memberships  and  donors  are  growing  steadily!  “  

2010-­‐2011  Officers

President John Burton

Vice-President Marguerite Holt

Treasurer Ira Tilley

Secretary Kitty Williams

2012-­‐2013  Officers

President Marguerite Holt

Vice-President Joyce Anderson

Treasurer Graham Pervier

Secretary Jean Bullins19th  century  Christmas  image,  courtesy  of  saturdayeveningpost.com

Page 7: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE7

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

MARC Office Moves Into The Humphrey Law Office

Executive Director Kim Proctor announced that the office of the Rockingham County Historical Society Museum and Archives has moved into the Ira Humphrey Law Office, located on the west side of Wright Tavern. The structure is a prime example of the small law offices located in many of North Carolina’s county seats during the early twentieth century.

Ira R. Humphrey (1878-1955), a native of the New Bethel Township in Rockingham County, received his law degree in 1901 and began his law practice in Wentworth. Being single, he resided for some time at Wright Tavern. By February 1905, he completed the law office building. During the years 1903-1905, he also served in the N.C. State Legislature.

In 1907, Mr. Humphrey married Dora Price. The couple had five children, who are all deceased. In 1910 or 1911, he moved his family and law practice to Reidsville, where the family resided for the remainder of their lives. He was appointed Judge of the Reidsville Recorder’s Court in 1912, and served 21 years in that position. He continued to practice law until a few years before his death.

The Wentworth Post Office was located in the Humphrey Law Office from ca. 1949 until 1981 when it was moved into two rooms of Wright Tavern. In 1987, Hilda Dodson Paschal donated the law office building to the Historical Society, and the structure was moved from its original site on the west side of the courthouse to its present location on the Wright Tavern property. The building served as the office and storage facility of the Society from 1990 until 2010. The building has been renovated and now houses the office of Kim Proctor and her assistant, Meg Manuel.

Submitted by Bob Carter, County Historian

The Lillian M. Coleman Challenge Grant Thermometer Continues

to Rise!

The Challenge Grant Letter Writing Campaign has been a big success. It looks like we will hit our goal of $25,000 to receive the matching funds that will pay our staff in 2012.

Every dollar above the goal will be used to build the MARC. So please, keep giving generously! Your contributions are greatly needed and truly appreciated!

RCHSMA In Action

Page 8: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE8

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

Shared History: The Modernistic Club

Sharing  History:  Madison’s  Modernis3c  Club

Every town-- and every community—has its visionaries and its activists. When they merge, they can produce an impressive result.

In mid-October, 1939, Mrs. Elnomia Scales Graves and several other African-American ladies organized the Modernistic Club. Undeterred by the obstacles of segregation, they felt a need to sponsor civic events and to assist citizens in gaining access to educational opportunities by providing awards and scholarships. One such award, the Arion Award, was given to promising musicians enrolled at Charles Drew School. Additionally, the Modernistic Club keenly felt a responsibility to watch over and protect the elderly and infirm.

The members -- then, as now, limited to 12 -- were well-established citizens of Madison. They were staunch church goers, homemakers and teachers. Annual highlights sponsored by the club included holiday celebrations and parties for adults, picnics and fashion shows, an Easter egg hunt for children and picnics in summer. There were events to honor teachers, some of whom were boarding with residents of Madison during the school term. The Modernistic Club also promoted the sale of Victory Bond certificates during the Second World War.

For decades, the club’s activities were reported in the Colored News columns of the Madison Messenger; gradually the coverage became part of the general news. Many of the Club’s events, as well as years of civic events in the black community, were recorded by Betsy Ann Franklin and are in the B. A. Franklin collection at Rockingham Community College.

A major project for the Modernistic Club was the McRae Library. Prior to its establishment, books for the black community were collected and loaned from the homes of Mrs. Matilda Galloway and Mrs. Mary J. Franklin. The Club collected contributions for furniture and shelving and housed the library in the Freetown section of Madison. For a while, the site also included a doctor’s office. The McRae Library collection was eventually merged into the Rockingham County Library System. At the dedication, Miss Betsy A. Franklin and Mrs. Mabel G. Dalton represented the Modernistic Club.

Seventy-two years after its beginning, the Modernistic Club’s determination to continue the noble tradition of its founding members remains unwavering.

Submitted by Fletcher Dalton

We encourage readers to submit ideas for future Shared History articles. This section is intended to document and celebrate the historical significance of Rockingham County events, places and organizations. Help us preserve information that might otherwise be forgotten by calling or emailing RCHSMA to suggest a topic.

Page 9: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE9

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

RCHSMA People

Congratula3ons  Are  In  Order

Congratulations to RCHSMA Board member and historian, Charles Rodenbough, who has just published his new historical novel, Stealing Andrew Jackson's Head. His “Technical Consultant” for the project was his 14-year-old grandson, Ryan Ray Rodenbough.

The book is a biography of Captain Samuel W. Dewey who, in the 19th century, was considered "one of the most picturesque characters in American history." One of his more notorious feats was sawing off the head of a figurehead of President Andrew Jackson on the newly repaired USS Constitution.

The story is told by a 94-year-old man, Dewey, to a 12-year-old boy (a reflection of Charles and his grandson). The exploits take Dewey to China, the Middle East and South America, where his strange tales originate. The book is available from Amazon.com or from the author, [email protected].

DO  YOU  KNOW  THIS  MAN?  Answer from Page 5.

The smiling man on page 5 is Jimmy Waynick.

Jimmy Waynick is a free spirit who loves life. His mind holds the happiest memories and he shares them generously. It is a pleasure to listen to him.

One afternoon, Mr. Waynick recorded an oral interview with our Executive Director, Kim Proctor; his friend, Rebecca Cipriani; and his son, Fletcher Waynick. It was a wonderful afternoon.

The recording of the interview is archived with us. Feel free to drop by the Wright Tavern office and listen to that interview.

Page 10: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE10

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

Research PointersResearch Pointers: “Getting Documents from the State of Virginia”

What is the mailing address and telephone number?

Office of Vital RecordsP.O. Box 1000Richmond, VA 23218-1000804-662-6200

What is the cost of a vital record?

The Code of Virginia requires a cost of $12 per certificate/search. There is no refund if the certificate is not found. If no record is found for a birth certificate request, a “No Record” letter will be issued.

Make checks or money orders payable to: The State Health Department. Do not send cash through the mail.

What Records are Available?

Births and Deaths: 1853-1896 and June 1912 to presentMarriage Records: 1853 to presentDivorce Records: 1918 to present

Death, marriage, and divorce records are available 50 years after the event.

Who can obtain copies of these records?

Vital records are available to immediate family members only (parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandparents with valid ID).

How long will it be before I receive requested documents?

Please allow 2-4 weeks delivery for all marriage records, death records, divorce records, and non-automated birth records.

How do you correct information on a certificate?

There are several provisions in the Virginia Statutes whereby changes may be made on a vital record. You are encouraged to write the Office of Vital Statistics with correction requests and they will advise on an individual basis. Submit your requests Attn: Special Services Dept.

Courtesy  of  the  State  of  Virginia  web-­‐site  and  “Piedmont  Lineages:  The  Quarterly  Journal  of  the  Virginia-­‐North  Carolina  Piedmont  Genealogical  Society”,  November  2011  issue.

If  you’re  looking  for  help  doing  local  family  research,  consider  visi5ng  the  Family  History  Center  

4751  NC  HWY  14,  Eden,  NCPhone:  336-­‐623-­‐7154,  

Hours:  W  9am-­‐12pm  &  1pm-­‐4pm  &  6pm-­‐8pm.

Page 11: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS! PAGE11

Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives,  P.  O.  Box  84,  Wentworth,  NC  27375  

www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  |  (336)  394-­‐4965  |  [email protected]

Letter from the Director

Wow!  We’ve  had  an  evenpul  year,  haven’t  we?  So  much  has  been  accomplished;  so  many  good  rela5onships  have  developed.  Thank  you  all  for  your  support  and  par5cipa5on.  As  you’ve  learned  by  now,  I  could  speak  endlessly  on  these  subjects.  But  I  won’t.  Space  limita5ons  and  a  5melier  topic  prohibit.  

Regardless  of  your  faith  and  the  events  you  commemorate,  this  holiday  season  holds  significant  meaning  for  most  of  us.    I  celebrate  the  birth  of  Jesus  Christ.  Christmas  reminds  me  of  God’s  generosity,  the  sacrifice  Christ  made  and  the  sanctuary  and  protec5on  I  find  under  his  wing.    Merry  Christmas,  may  the  love  of  Christ  sustain  you.

Those  of  the  Jewish  faith  will  celebrate  Hanukah.  This  holiday  commemorates  a  5me  when  their  leader,  Judah,  reclaimed  the  temple  in  Jerusalem  from  the  Persian  king,  A5okhos  IV,  and  

rededicated  the  altar  in  165  B.C.E.    The  Jewish  faith  required  that  a  Menorah  burn  in  the  temple  throughout  the  night,  but  there  was  only  one  day’s  supply  of  oil  on  hand.  Miraculously,  it  lasted  the  eight  days  it  took  to  acquire  more.    Happy  Hanukah,  may  the  light  of  the  Menorah  burn  on.

Many  African  Americans  par5cipate  in  Kwanzaa  celebra5ons.  Kwanzaa  is  a  5me  to  celebrate  the  African  American  community,  family,  shared  cultural  heritage,  and  unity.  It  originated  during  the  Civil  Rights  Movement  of  the  1960s.  Happy  Kwanzaa,  may  the  spirit  of  the  season  stay  with  you  throughout  the  year.

To  all,  I  wish  you  and  your  family  peace  and  joy.  

► One Way Trip (Immigration): Saura Indians; Great Wagon Road; Tobacco in Rockingham County

► Pushing Boundaries: Sauratown Plantation - A trip from Antigua to Rockingham County; The Road that Led to Somewhere - a journey on the Underground Railroad began in Rockingham County; The Bateau and River Trade

►The Great Desert to the West: To be announced

►Railroads Span the Nation: Railroads in Rockingham County

►Accelerated Mobility: Journeys in the Car; Journeys Close to Home - Bikes, Trikes, Motorcycles, and Sleds; The History of Aviation in Rockingham County; Trucking and a Changing Infrastructure

►Our Expanded World: Local Vacation Stories; Trucking and a Changing Infrastructure

In addition, we’ll be featuring the Carol M. Highsmith Photography Exhibit, a highly acclaimed photographer and a native of Rockingham County (see the Library of Congress exhibit for a sneak preview).

Journey Stories Exhibit List(The Smithsonian Institution exhibits are BOLD;

Local Exhibits that compliment the SI exhibits are not.)

Kim Proctor, Executive Director

Page 12: December 2011 MARC News

MARC NEWS

December 2011

FROM :ROCKINGHAM  COUNTY  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  MUSEUM  &  ARCHIVESP.  O.  BOX  84WENTWORTH,  NC  27375

Vol. 1, No. 4

MAIL TO:

On Your MARC, Get Set- GO!

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAIDWENTWORTH, N.C.PERMIT NO. 2

MARC  Your  Calendar!December  11:    Christmas  at  Wright  Tavern  and  a  tour  of  High  Rock  FarmDecember  25:  Merry  Christmas,  Happy  Hanukah,  Happy  Kwanzaa  to  us  all!February  16:  Rockingham  County  Historical  Society  Museum  &  Archives’  Board  of  Directors’  Mee5ng  at  the  MARC,  Wentworth,  6:30  pm.March  2,  3,  9,  10:  LiRle  Women,  the  Musical  presented  by  the  Theatre  Guild  of  Rockingham  County,  Rockingham  Community  College,  7:30  pm.March  4,  11:  LiRle  Women,  the  Musical  presented  by  the  Theatre  Guild  of  Rockingham  County,  Rockingham  Community  College,  2:30  pm.

Watch  the  web-­‐site  at  www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com  

for  addi5ons  and  updates,  call  Wright  Tavern,  or  visit  any    Thursday  or  Friday,  10am-­‐4pm,  

for  more  details.

Return Service Requested

Contact  Us  at  (336)  394-­‐4965  or  by  email  at  [email protected]

Visit  us  on  the  web  at  www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com