Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Wake Wednesday - Wake Forest Christmas c. 1875

I have shared this before, but I just love this account of Christmas in Wake Forest in 1875.

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Visit the Wake Forest Museum Blog for the full story of Christmas from the students point of view. It was too difficult for some to travel home at that time and they left to their own devices for merry making! Local residents took them in for the holidays. In addition to the traditional Christmas activities, the students spent their time at Tackey Parties and Night Suppers. Travel back in time here!


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Thursday, November 24, 2022

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Celebration and Tradition in North Carolina

Thanksgiving as we know it was not celebrated in North Carolin until 1849. Read about the history and evolution of the traditions at this article from NCDNCR.

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WCGS sends best wishes. May you have a bountiful and peaceful Thanksgiving where ever you are.


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Thursday, November 17, 2022

Thankful Thursday - Caswell's Day of Thanksgiving - November 28, 1777

I found this interesting tidbit of history on the UNC Libraries' NC Miscellany blog.

The post outlines the details of Richard Caswell's Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation  published in the North Carolina Gazette on Nov.14,1799. Now at that time, Caswell was more thankful for a victory over Generals Burgoyne and Gates and their British forces than he was for turkey and stuffing. Read the original post with a link to Caswell's original proclamation in his own words. 

Thanksgiving In North Carolina, 1777

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Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Wake Wednesday - Guest Post from George Thomas - More Wake Migration

George Thomas is working his magic again with records and maps. Enjoy another Wake centric post as he tracks the westward migration of early Wake settlers. This time to parts in Cabarrus and Stanly counties. Read George's post here - A RIDE DOWN PINE BLUFF IN CABARRUS COUNTY

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Attention researchers for these families - 

Reed 

Keiser 

Howell 

Teeter 

Barker 

Byrd 

 

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Thursday, November 10, 2022

Thankful Thursday - Traditions that have stood the test of time

Did you know that an ad hoc farmers market auction sprang up at the fall tobacco auction in Durham in 1939? Enjoy more Thanksgiving trivia and traditions in this article posted from Our State Magazine.

A North Carolina Thanksgiving, Revisited - Our State Magazine


PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, LC-USF33-030733-M4








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Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Wake Wednesday - Cemetery hiding in plain sight

Abandoned cemeteries are everywhere and they leave traces if you know where to look. 

Have you ever noticed this one resting in plain view in downtown Raleigh?

An unassuming crumbling stone wall is the beacon proclaiming this corner lot of Booker and Hill streets as someone's final resting place dating back to the early 1800s. According to historians it may date back to the 1830 and be a part of the "Welcome" property of Henry Seawell (1774-1835). 

Read the full story from Heather Leah at WRAL5

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Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Fold 3 Free Weekend - 10 - 13 November: Recognizing 75th Anniversary of First Veterans Day

See Fold 3 Blog post for Details. https://blog.fold3.com/75th-anniversary-of-the-first-veterans-day-celebration-and-free-access-to-fold3

Ends 13Nov. 2022 at 11:59pm MT.


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Invitation from NC State Capitol: Virtual presentation of the Naming to Knowing presentation

The live event was held in October, if you missed it or want to revisit it, this is your opportunity. The Capitol will share the presentation virtually via Zoom. If interested please RSVP via the Eventbrite link below.

From the NC State Capitol:

The NC State Capitol is hosting a series of public listening sessions to unveil their new website focusing on the stories of enslaved people.

 

About this event

This website, entitled "From Naming to Knowing: Uncovering Slavery at the North Carolina State Capitol" names over 130 enslaved workers who built and maintained the Capitol building in the 1800s. Most of the men worked on the Capitol's construction in the 1830s, either as laborers at the construction site or as quarry hands at the nearby State Quarry. The Capitol is dedicated to naming these individuals and telling their stories through this new publicly accessible website.

 The public is invited to attend a listening session, learn about the website, and offer feedback to Capitol staff. The Capitol staff seek to share this work and the stories of these individuals and be as responsive to the community as possible. The public can attend

IN-PERSON SESSIONS at the Capitol 

Thursday, October 20th from 6-7:30pm or

Saturday, November 12th from 11am-12:30pm

 VIRTUAL SESSION  

Monday, November 14th from 6-7:30pm by clicking https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16030644848.

Visitors can attend all or one session. 

These sessions are free to attend and open to all, but guests are asked to RSVP here at Eventbrite. Your RSVP will ensure that you receive further information about attendance, including reminders and the zoom link for the virtual session.

Best,

Natalie Rodriguez

Tour Coordinator/ Education Specialist 

North Carolina State Capitol

NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources


Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Wake Wednesday - Turn of the Century view of Fayetteville Street

Raleigh - 1891

I am really enjoying this very quaint view of Fayetteville Street in 1891 that I found at NCPedia. The Mahler building features prominently, exactly center in the photo.

It looks like Henry Mahler, an immigrant from Prussia, made quite the name and place for himself in Raleigh as a jeweler and engraver. The NCPedia article on him is filled with detail. If you are researching Henry Mahler or his descendants, you will want to check it out.



 

I believe the two brick buildings in this photo still stand and the two story wooden J. C. S. Lumsden & Sons building was replaced after 1896 with a 3 story brick building.
 
See the Google street view here. Notice  the arch window features on the middle brick building are a perfect match for the H. Mahler building.  Modern day Mahler building. The building at the extreme right of this photo is now a UNC Health Care facility. The molding trim at the top and window trim make a strong case that it is the same building.

Do you have any old photos of street scenes around Wake County that can be compared to their present day location? I would love to see  how much changed and how much stayed the same!


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