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Wednesday, January 9, 2019 “The Story of the Ghent Community”
Presented by John Leys
Casino and Circus and Trolley, Oh My! One of New Bern’s proud historic districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Ghent neighborhood has a lively and vibrant past. The Historical Society’s former Historian, John Leys, will take us back to the days when the neighborhood was developed from the Rhem family plantation and grew with the introduction of the trolley. You'll learn interesting details about architectural styles, notable neighborhood residents, and the significant influence of the Ghent community in New Bern. Leys' will share stories of the Casino with sports events, dances, rides and concessions, and reminisce about the fun the children had with the coming of the circus.
Annual Ed Bearss Presentation
“The Raising of the Ironclad USS Cairo”
Sunday, January 13 from 2 – 3:30 pm
NC History Center, 529 South Front Street
Reception following the program
"How not to raise an ironclad." Those are the words of nationally renowned historian Ed Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service, to describe the challenging salvage and recovery effort of the Union ironclad gunboat USS Cairo (pronounced “KAY-row”). On Dec. 12, 1862, naval history was made when the Cairo was sunk in twelve short minutes in Mississippi’s Yazoo River, the first armored vessel sunk by a remotely detonated mine. The gunboat lay largely forgotten for 98 years until a group led by Bearss discovered the hulk resting on the bottom of the river and led the recovery effort.
To reserve your seat, a suggested donation of $10 is requested. Light reception follows the program.