presentations &
special programs
The New Bern Historical Society brings local history to life with a variety of interesting educational programs. Whether you're a newcomer or a New Bern native, there's so much to learn about our fascinating local heritage! Our special programs feature guest speakers, genealogy presentations, historical book signings, and more.
The annual Dr. Richard K. Lore Lecture features regionally and nationally-known speakers of historic note, followed by a light reception. Not just for history buffs!
The annual Civil War Program brings engaging guest speakers to share all the things they didn't teach you in history class. All proceeds directly benefit the preservation of Battlefield Park.
Black Soldiers in the Civil War
Presented by Jerilyn Lee, USCT Historian
November 3, 2024 at Orringer Auditorium, Craven Community College.
Presentation begins at 2pm.
Reservations open September 30th
Did you know that approximately 198,000 men served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War? And another 20,000 served in the U.S. Navy? And did you know that six of those regiments came from North Carolina?
Come and hear their stories from USCT historian Jerilyn Lee. She will share over 100 pictures of USCT soldiers, NCO’s, officers, cavalrymen and U.S. sailors who served during the Civil War.
Black History is American History – come and hear it!
Jerilyn Lee is a native of Chicago, Illinois and currently resides in Mount Olive, North Carolina.
She is an honor graduate of St. Thomas Apostle High School in Chicago, and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Mount Olive with a B.S. in Business Administration. She also holds a Masters’ Degree from the University of Maryland in Organizational Management.
Jerilyn currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Mount Olive and the Business Advisory Board for Wayne Community College. She is a 2019 recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the highest award for service in the State of North Carolina, conferred expressly by the Governor.
Jerilyn is active with the Civil War community as a historian and speaker, and as creator of the Facebook page “Stories of the United States Colored Troops” with a following of 7,000+ members. She is married to Kenneth Lee, and they have three children, three grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
