High Point Museum commemorates Black History Month

"February is Black History Month, or National African American History Month. It is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. 

The High Point Museum will be hosting a couple of documentary screenings and have two different exhibits on display. One of the exhibits, Pieces of the Past: The Art of Gwendolyn Jones Magee, will be open until February 21. This exhibition brings noted quilter and High Point native Gwendolyn Jones Magee’s art to her hometown and explores the history she created through her art. It features six quilts. Magee’s art brings history to life through detailed threadwork, vibrant fabrics and countless hours of research and design. This exhibit was curated by the UNCG History Department’s Museum Studies Class of 2015. Guided tours are available for adult, family and student groups, contact the Museum for reservations.

In conjunction with that exhibit, the Museum will show the full length “documentary “Gwen Magee: Threads of History." It was created in 2011 by Anne Cremieux and Geraldine Chouard. Magee passed away just days after the footage was captured. The documentary gives insight into the artist and how she thought, felt and created her quilts. The screenings will be Saturdays, February 14 and 21 at 10:30 am at the Museum.

The other exhibit is a collection from Raymond Payne, Rabbit Quarter Ministries. It includes a variety of African American artifacts showcasing significant parts of history. It will be display throughout February.

“There are many African American stories in High Point’s history, and these are just a few we are highlighting during this year’s celebration of Black History Month,” Edith Brady, Museum Director, said.

The High Point Museum has a variety of African American items and photos on display including a reproduction of John Coltrane’s 1937 fifth grade school report for Negro History Month; stained glass window and pulpit from First Baptist Church on Washington Street; and items from desegregation.

The High Point Historical Society released its second book in a series of five that focuses on African American history in High Point. Entitled “Our Roots, Our Branches, Our Fruits of Knowledge – Black Schools of High Point & Surrounding Area 1868-1968,” it is authored by local author and historian, Glenn Chavis. The book is available in the Museum Store for $20.95 plus tax.

The High Point Museum also has two online exhibits – Melzetta Williams: A Teacher’s Recollections and A Pathway to Opportunity – focusing on African American experiences in High Point.

The High Point Museum, located at 1859 E. Lexington Ave., is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm and the Historical Park is open Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. For more information, call 885-1859 or visit our website www.highpointmuseum.org.

The High Point Museum is dedicated to sharing Greater High Point’s history, providing perspective for current issues, and strengthening the sense of community. Our work is guided by our core values of connection, diversity, fun, and innovation."

- A Press Release

Senator James T. Broyhill to speak at High Point University

SEN. JAMES T. BROYHILL

By Teresa Loflin

“An Insider’s Look at the U.S. Capitol” is the subject of a special presentation by Senator James T. Broyhill who was a member of Congress for 24 years serving in the House of Representatives and the Senate during the administrations of five presidents. This entertaining program of “stories you have seldom heard before” will be a patriotic event featuring the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard in their 18^th century uniforms and Susan Griffin Fisher, Miss North Carolina 1974, singing the National Anthem. The date is Constitution Day, Wednesday, September 17, at 7 pm and will be held in Phillips Hall at High Point University.

Senator Broyhill is a native of Lenoir, NC where he attended public schools. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Senator was employed in a number of executive positions with the Broyhill Furniture Factories. He also held community responsibilities with the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Recreation Commission of Lenoir.

At a fundraising dinner in Greensboro in 1986, President Reagan described Broyhill “as a man who is motivated by principle, but who also has a gift for the maneuvers whereby principle is translated into effective legislation… which is one way of saying Jim really knows how to work the Hill. He knows how to get things done and he gets things done for North Carolina.”

After his 24 years of service in the Congress, Senator Broyhill served the state of North Carolina as Chairman of the Board of Economic Development, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Co-chairman North Carolina Welfare to Work Business Council, and the Economic Development Committee of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Senator Broyhill served on the Board of Trustees and the Board of the Appalachian State University Foundation in Boone.  He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree in 2010 for a lifetime of public service, for contributions to the state, higher education, and to Appalachian. An Entrance Plaza is named for him at that University. He was inducted into the North Carolina Republican Party Hall of Fame, and the Lenoir Post Office bears his name. He currently resides in Winston-Salem with his wife Louise.

Everyone is invited to this free event jointly sponsored by the High Point Museum Guild, the Alexander Martin Chapter NSDAR, Bienenstock Furniture Library, and High Point University. Please enter the campus at Montlieu and North College Drive, proceed to the gate at University Ave, park behind the Commerce Building for shuttle service to Phillips Hall.

The Museum Guild welcomes new members to join and support the High Point Museum. Annual dues are $25 which helps to fund wonderful programs which are free except for the field trips as well as other Museum projects and exhibits.

High Point Museum Partners with Smithsonian for a Nationwide Singing of the National Anthem to Celebrate Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial

"Americans will “Raise it Up!” on Flag Day, Saturday, June 14, and come together to participate in potentially the largest unified event in American history, turning the national anthem into “the song that was heard around the world.” High Point Museum is proud to be a national partner and serve as an official location for “Raise it Up! Anthem for America,” a global celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner and the lyrics penned in 1814 by Francis Scott Key after the victorious Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Led by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the vision is for Americans across the country and around the world to stop at the same time at 4 pm and sing the national anthem.  

Gail Spink, an accomplished vocalist with a music degree from the University of Connecticut, will lead the community sing-a-long at the High Point Museum around the flagpole. She has been the featured soloist at numerous churches and wedding venues and has been performing for more than 30 years. Spink also has been a member of various contemporary bands, most recently you may find her singing with The Tyler Millard Band out of Oak Ridge.

The High Point Museum staff will give small flags along with the lyrics to all participants and donations will be accepted to help with the conservation efforts associated with the Star-Spangled Banner.  

The Smithsonian will host a sing-a-long event in Washington, D.C., on its National Mall terrace, which will culminate in a “moment of national unity” at 4 pm when Americans across the country will stop to sing their anthem. More information about the nation-wide event is available at www.anthemforamerica.si.edu.     

The National Museum of American History is home to the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the national anthem. Made in the summer of 1813 by Mary Pickersgill (1776—1857), a professional flagmaker, the flag was originally 30 feet by 42 feet with 15 red-and-white wool stripes and 15 cotton stars on the blue canton. After the war, the flag was privately owned for many years until Eben Appleton lent it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1907 and converted the loan to a gift in 1912. Beginning in 1998, the Star-Spangled Banner underwent extensive conservation treatment. It is now on display in a custom-built environmentally controlled chamber at the museum.  

About the National Museum of American History

Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the museum explores the infinite richness and complexity of American history and helps people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. It is currently renovating its west exhibition wing, developing galleries on business, democracy and culture. For more information, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu.

About the High Point Museum

The High Point Museum, located at 1859 E. Lexington Ave., is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm and the Historical Park is open Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. For more information, call 885-1859 or visit our website www.highpointmuseum.org.

The High Point Museum is dedicated to sharing Greater High Point’s history, providing perspective for current issues, and strengthening the sense of community. Our work is guided by our core values of connection, diversity, fun, and innovation."

A Press Release