Still & Barrel: Craft Spirits in the Old North State: Book Review

In Still & Barrel: Craft Spirits in the Old North State, author John Francis Trump offers readers a grand tour of the distilleries which cover the state of North Carolina. Throughout the pages of the book, the author provides a description of each distillery, the owner names/contact information, and the distillery website and operating hours if known. John Trump explains that the book is not an exhaustive list of all the distilleries in North Carolina, but rather a glimpse of the more popular distilleries across the state. In the long run, the author is trying to help readers gain a further understanding of and learn the overall history of the craft spirit/alcohol industry in North Carolina

Up From These Hills: Memories of a Cherokee Boyhood

During the Great Depression years, many enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tried to eke out a living any way they could. Specifically, Leonard Lambert, the author of Up From These Hills, took the opportunity to get an education in the public schools and later at North Carolina State College. Although times were difficult, many Cherokee tried to maintain their cultural identity and help out their families any way they could

Footsteps of the Cherokees: A Guide to the Eastern Homelands of the Cherokee Nation

Like most Native American tribes in American history, the Cherokee Indians attempted to co-exist with settlers moving westward. Through a series of land treaties; however, the Cherokee soon found themselves having to cede sizable portions of their territory and were forced to participate in a forced march called the Trail of Tears where many of them died because of inclement weather and starvation. Some of the historic sites along their journey are now parks and national trails for all to visit

27 Views of Wilmington: The Port City in Prose & Poetry

In 27 Views of Wilmington: The Port City in Prose & Poetry, readers are given a glimpse into the history, culture, and noteworthy facts about this coastal North Carolina city through both prose and poetry selections. Many of the contributors to the book are either local UNC-Wilmington faculty members in the Creative Writing Program or well-known authors like Celia Rivenbark, who contributes the introduction to the book. After reading the book, it is easy to see why Wilmington remains a popular tourist attraction in the state which draws visitors back on a yearly basis. The presence of both poetry and prose works in the book lends some interesting material which will keep the reader entertained and wanting to know or learn more about the Wilmington, North Carolina area

Celebrating Local History through Photographs and Papers: Highlights of a Special Collection

Is it possible to capture local history through different means? The Special Collections areas at the UNC-Pembroke Mary Livermore Library and Joyner Library at East Carolina University accomplish this purpose effectively. At UNCP, the Elmer Hunt Photograph Collection, the Lumbee River Fund, and the Charlie Rose Collection all contribute to our collective understanding of local history, particularly in regard to the Lumbee Indians. Similarly, the University Archives, the Verona Joyner Langford North Carolina Collection, and the University Archives at East Carolina bring the local history, culture, and heritage of Pitt County into the clearer focus. Ultimately, all of the aforementioned historical resources function as essential elements in the establishment of Special Collections which truly represent the local areas. This presentation will introduce some of the outstanding materials in the Special Collections Divisions of two historic universities: East Carolina University and UNC Pembroke. The presenter(s) will bring details of the libraries’ holdings to the audience via PowerPoint presentations, overviews of websites, and discussion of latest projects

Landmarks of Hyde County, North Carolina: The Mainland & Ocracoke Island

Landmarks of Hyde County, North Carolina: The Mainland & Ocracoke Island introduces readers to both the history of Hyde County as well as offers a depiction of the more prevalent types of historical architecture in the region. Authors Claudia R. Brown and Diane E. Lea provide readers with an inventory of buildings in the Hyde County section of North Carolina, including churches, historic homes, and lighthouses. Ample photographs of each landmark as well as a brief description are provided

Book Review: The Lumbee Indians: An American Struggle

In the book, The Lumbee Indians: An American Struggle, author Malinda Maynor Lowery introduces readers to some of the significant events and people who have shaped the history of the Lumbee Indian tribe in North Carolina. From their earliest days of existence, Lumbee Indians have endeavored to preserve their distinct culture while striving to achieve the same advantages enjoyed by their white neighbors. Unlike the Cherokee Indians, the Lumbee Indians only have state recognition, but federal recognition has always been an elusive goal. Throughout the pages of the book, specific struggles facing the Lumbee Indian tribe over time are depicted

Cherokee Basketry: From the Hands of Our Elders

Over the centuries, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have developed basket weaving as a craft which will help preserve their culture for future generations to enjoy. The baskets which are made primarily from rivercane on site at the Cherokee reservation in western North Carolina are used to store materials or to help transport needed supplies from the marketplace to the home. For the most part, basket making is a skill passed down through the generations from mothers to daughters

The Tuscarora War: Indians, Settlers, and the Fight for the Carolina Colonies

On September 22, 1711, several bands of Native American tribes, including the Tuscarora, Core, Neuse, and others, attacked European settler settlements in North Carolina, thereby beginning a series of events known as the Tuscarora War. In part, this event may have been caused by a sense of mistrust between the Native American tribes living in North Carolina during the eighteenth century and their European counterparts. Ultimately, through a series of military campaigns, the Europeans were able to gain the advantage and put down successfully the rebellion. Also, the Tuscarora and their allies fought amongst themselves or succumbed to diseases like smallpox for which they had no immunity

Destitute Patriots: Bertie County in the War of 1812

As the War of 1812 commenced, residents in Bertie County, North Carolina wondered if the battles between the U.S. Army and British forces would spread to the Tar Heel State. Due to a lack of battles in North Carolina, military recruits were in “no big hurry” to join the U.S. Army or the small detachments of North Carolina militia units. Once the Bertie County recruits did decide to serve, they were classified as “destitute” since there was no financial compensation for their services until 1816, two years after the conclusion of the war