If you took part in our Ghosts of Christmas Past Willow Dale Cemetery Walk Fundraiser on Saturday night, not only did you enjoy an evening stroll through the candlelit cemetery, you also met and learned the stories of this years cast of notable Willow Dale “residents”. Our 2023 group included Annie Dove Denmark, Kenneth C Royall, Charles Norwood, T.A. Loving, Anne Land O’Berry, Gurney Pope Hood, Civil War Mayor Privett, and “Speed” Riggs. Each had a fascinating life story to share. Join us next year to see who the featured 2024 walk individuals will be!
Annie Land O’BerryKenneth RoyallCharles NorwoodFamous auctioneer Speed RiggsT.A. LovingAnnie Dove DenmarkGurney Pope Hood
You may have noticed that the museum has been evolving and changing in lots of new and exciting ways in the last 5 years. This year has been especially exciting in terms of new museum programming, new events, and new community outreach.. Those positive changes are continuing this year and we are currently undergoing a project to improve our visitor experience and appearance. The old and very worn tile flooring in our back gallery and restrooms is being replaced this week with new wood-tone vinyl flooring. The space looks so much bigger now, and the new floor will provide a more level and durable surface. We have limited access to our back gallery this week, but it will all be worth it when this project is completed!
This exhibit remembers the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991 when the United States led the most diverse coalition of nations in recent history in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Shield to oust Iraqi forces that had invaded the Middle East nation of Kuwait. The government of the State of Kuwait funded this exhibit to honor the 75,000 men and women, and their units stationed in North Carolina, who served and sacrificed to liberate Kuwait. Those soldiers honored include the bases of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, U.S. Army Fort Liberty (Bragg), and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
In conjunction with the Grange exhibit, the Wayne County Museum invites you to another agricultural town called Avonlea as they perform a radio play of the childhood classic Anne of Green Gables.
It tells the story of stern Marilla and her warm-hearted brother Matthew who hope to adopt a boy to work on their farm. But the orphanage sends young, befreckled Anne by mistake, and their lives will never be the same. Her warmth and wit affect everyone around her – even, eventually, the cold Marilla. We follow Anne through her rebellious years, her transformation into a young woman, and her romantic pairing with Gilbert. This play has been charming audiences around the world.
But we need several actors to bring this story to life.
Auditions at the Wayne County Museum on November 7 at 7:00. Sides will be available at auditions, along with audition sheets. If you cannot make the date, we will also accept video auditions. Please contact Heath Radford at hradford.jesst@gmail.com if interested or there are any audition questions.
Today, Saturday, September 30th, is the last opportunity to view the “Through the Lens” photography exhibit, then the museum will be closed the following week for 4 days from October 3rd-6th for new exhibit’s installation. The new special exhibition “Home of the Grange” will open next Saturday, October 7th
The Wayne County Museum is honored to host a traveling historical exhibit by artist Shayne Davidson, entitled “17 Men.” The exhibit will be on display until October, and contains 17 portraits of men who served in the 25th United States Colored Troops. The exhibit ties in with both our current photography exhibit, and the latest Civil War Trails, Inc. marker downtown, honoring the 135th USCT. The portraits are colored drawings of the soldiers of the 25th USCT. The artist has painstakingly hand-drawn and researched each soldier from the company, and their bios hang below each portrait. Approximately 180,000 African Americans were part of Union forces during the Civil War, with most serving in the United States Colored Troops.
The museum staff is addicted to this Southern favorite that originated in 1917. It’s unique cherry flavor was created as a way to conserve rationed sugar during WWI. It pairs perfectly with BBQ, so we will be serving it at our upcoming Scott’s BBQ Sauce Tasting on Saturday, August 5th. Come sample two NC legends at the same time!
This wonderful WWI photo was recently donated to the museum by Scott Berkeley’s family. The photo is of Scott B Berkeley, Mayor of Goldsboro from 1938 until his death in 1964. Due to Mayor Berkeley’s efforts , the SJAFB that was deactivated post-war, was reopened in 1953. This lovely antique photo will now be on view in our “Behind the Lens” photography exhibit.
Goldsboro had a minor league baseball team in the early 1900s.The Goldsboro Goldbugs were a community farm team based in Goldsboro in the 1910s and 1920s. Founded by the owner of the A.T. Griffin Manufacturing Company, the team was also called the Manufacturers. The Goldsboro Goldbugs were both an Eastern Carolina League (1929) and Coastal Plain League (1937–1941, 1946–1949) team. This baseball from 1948 was signed by the team manager Bill Herring, and player Jack Hussey. Hussey was the team’s first baseman and was considered the local “Babe Ruth” of Goldsboro. *Donated by Mr. Dillon Wooten
