23rd Annual African American Celebration

“Bertie County African Americans in the 36th Infantry Colored Troops in the Civil War”

Free and Open to the Public

Almost all Civil War published information focuses on specific battles or famous military leaders. North Carolina and Bertie County stories are about division and reconciliation, freedom and institutional oppression, opportunity and economic devastation.  Therefore, we are inviting historians and relatives of Bertie County African American Civil War soldiers to share stories about their lives during and after the Civil War.

There will be a display of Civil War artifacts by Victor Thompson

9:30 am – 10:00 am
REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

10:00 am – 11:00 am
“Stories of Bertie County African Americans Military Contributions”

Dr. James K Bryant provides background information of Bertie County former slaves and their families. He examines their initial recruitment and chronicles their military contributions throughout the war. His focus on these soldiers, their families, and the larger community under slavery provides a glimpse into their transition from slavery to freedom with the Union army becoming an agent for social change. Bryant was an Associate Professor of History at Shenandoah University where he spent 10 years, serving both as History Department Chair and Executive Director of the University’s History and Tourism Center. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in History Education from Hampton University, a Master’s degree in History from the University of Vermont, and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Rochester. Prior to his tenure at Shenandoah University, Jim had a 9-year association with the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park and the National Park Service both as a seasonal interpreter and later as a permanent Park Ranger (Interpretation).

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

WRIGHT CHERRY

Elbert Roberts Bishop will discuss his research on Wright Cherry and how he and his comrades fared after the end of the Civil War, and their struggles to secure their pensions. Elbert is a graduate of Morgan State University (A.B. 1967), the Harvard Law School (J.D., 1970) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.C.P., 1971). He has been an attorney, management consultant and investigator for over forty years

GEORGE ALLEN MEBANE AND SANDERLIN BROTHERS

Mary Helen Thompson will discuss her findings on some of her relatives who participate in the Civil Wars and their lives after the Civil War ended. Ms. Thompson lives in Washington, DC and is retired after a long career in government, political and public affairs.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
 
LUNCH & OPEN DISCUSSION

SPECIAL FEATURE: FESTIVAL OF SOUPS BUFFET

11:00 am – 4:00 pm
We will have 15 soups, a variety of breads plus delicious desserts and tea
$ 15.00 per person for adults
$8.00 for children 12 and under
Eat in or take out
For additional information please call 252-794-3140 or email us at info@hopeplantation.org

Click here for a copy of our Flyer:  23rd Annual African American Celebration Flyer