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2005-2006
The Trailblazers, Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount, Inc.
Elm City
February
 On February 23, 2006, Monika Fleming, college instructor and local historian spoke to the “Trailblazers,” Tar Heel Jr. Historians at Braswell Library. Ms. Fleming is the author of several books about local Rocky Mount and Tarboro history. So, as you would expect, she had many interesting stories to share about the establishment of our local communities, some of the prominent figures in its development and how our local history is significant in the light of NC history.
We met with Ms. Susan Myers, Registrar for Sites at the Office of State Archaeology in Raleigh on February 28. This office contains records of all archaeological sites in NC. After assigning a number for each site, it is noted on a topographical map. We were able to officially record our findings with this office. It is interesting to learn about this process.
On February 28th, the Trailblazers met with Dr. Billy Oliver, Research Center Manager, Office of State Archaeology. Staff from the media department at the Department of Cultural Resources also taped part of our tour for a future podcast. Graduate students in anthropology from local universities most often utilize the facility for thesis research related to the prehistory of NC. Staff sort, catalog, and study each artifact from sites across NC in the lab area. The research lab houses all the significant archaeological finds including one very interesting one from eastern NC. The archaeologist showed us artifacts from Ft. Neoheroka, a Tuscarora fort in Greene County, near Snow Hill. This was the site of the final decisive battle that ended the Tuscarora Wars of 1711-1715 in eastern NC.
The photo below shows a statue of the Saratown women which stands in front of the NC Museum of History. Dr. Oliver and his staff excavated the site where the skeletal remains of this Native American woman were discovered and with the help of a team of researchers reconstructed a model of what they think the woman looked like. Before heading home, we briefly toured the THJH exhibits from last year's convention. Our exhibit on George Eastman's lodge in Halifax County will be placed in Braswell Library.
Submitted by: Jim Hartsell, adviser
(3-21-06)
Parkton Junior Historians
Parkton, N.C.
January
Parkton School has a new club - The Parkton Junior Historians. This club was formed for 4th graders studying NC history and is a charter of the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association (THJHA) which has been encouraging the study of local and state history by North Carolina's young people since 1953. The purpose of the club is to allow students to more fully explore North Carolina’s rich and colorful history. Tar Heel Junior Historians make significant contributions to their communities, and in doing so, they learn about themselves. Many of North Carolina's junior historians have received national recognition for their outstanding achievements.
Parkton Junior Historians members: Gabby Kifer, Alexandra Lowery, Michael Williams, Danielle Smith, Samuel Barnes, Moesha Evans, Vanessa Patterson, Chandler Procter, Shardell Purdie, Jeffrey Stanton, Kimberlyn Pate, and Marianna Jones. Club officers: President - Amanda Kresal; Vice President - Benjamin Mustard; Secretary/Treasurer - Kendrick Nelson; Historian - Walter Sansbury; Advisers – Fourth Grade Teachers Mrs. Janice Gardner and Ms. Tammy Saxton.
Hornets’ Nest History Detectives, Charlotte Museum of History
Charlotte
The Hornet's Nest History Detectives met at the Charlotte Museum of History on Tuesday, February 28 at 10 am. After a short business meeting, Candice Moffitt, Director of Education gave a short program on the importance of cemetery documentation. The students and chaperones then took a field trip to Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church where Backcountry Patriot Hezekiah Alexander is buried alongside many other prominent early Charlotteans. After visiting the Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church cemetery, one of the oldest in Charlotte, the group traveled to the James K. Polk Memorial. Scott Warren, Site Manager, delighted the group with a skill-building workshop discussing the proper techniques used in cemetery documentation and preservation. Mr. Warren provided useful handouts and gave students a tour of the cemetery on the property.
The Hornet's Nest History Detectives Tar Heel Jr. Historian club consists of homeschooled middle and high school students in the Charlotte-Metro area. The club is administered by the education staff at the Charlotte Museum of History as outreach to the homeschool community.
Submitted by: Candice Moffitt, adviser
(3-13-06)
The Trailblazers, Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount, Inc.
Elm City
December
The Tar Heel Junior Historian "Trailblazers" attended the Christmas Candlelight Tour of Governor Charles B. Aycock Birthplace on December 6.
We saw how Christmas was celebrated in the 1870s in rural eastern NC in our tour of the Aycock State Historic Site. The house was decorated in simple, traditional greenery. Costumed interpreters discussed some interesting stories about early Christmas traditions during the candlelight tour. We enjoyed hot apple cider and gingerbread and saw how this family would have cooked all of their meals over the fireplace. The table was adorned with many traditional Southern favorites that would have been cooked for the holidays. An acappella choir, The Primitive Baptist Singers, sang traditional carols and hymns. Members of our club participated in the shadow puppet Christmas play presented in the one room schoolhouse. This was an enjoyable evening.
January
The Tar Heel Jr. Historians had the opportunity to participate in a historical presentation on January 19, 2006 at Braswell Memorial Library in Rocky Mount. Through the display of an amazing collection of flags, the presenter discussed the various changes in the American flag over the course of history.
A collection of coinage was also displayed and discussed in relation to key moments in American history. This was a most interesting presentation and an effective use of artifacts to teach NC history.
We are eagerly anticipating our February THJH meeting. Local historian, college instructor and author, Monika Fleming will be making a presentation about NC history to our THJH group.
Submitted by Jim Hartsell, adviser
(2-26-06)
The Trailblazers, Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount, Inc.
Elm City
The Tar Heel Junior Historians met at Braswell Library on October 12th with 25 attending. Jim Hartsell gave a power Point presentation about "The History and Geography of the NC Mountains." We also played a quiz game testing our knowledge. The group also discussed plans for the year.
On October 27th, the THJH group enjoyed a very interesting afternoon tour of the Country Doctor Museum in Bailey. The museum, housed in three buildings, include an old apothecary and displays of many medical artifacts. The museum is owned and administered by the library of East Carolina University's College of Medicine.
Our tour guides discussed many of the typical (but to us now, most unusual- and painful) medical procedures from days gone by. It made us thankful for the medical care now available to us.
This tour provided the Trailblazers with a better understanding of the life of the country doctor and of the nature of rural medical care in NC's history.
Submitted by Jim Hartsell, adviser
(11-11-05)
The Blue Farm Kids for History, Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills
Aberdeen
The Blue Farm Kids for History sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills, had a great two week summer camp. "Doodle" is defined as "to engage in aimless or foolish activity." For most teenagers, doodling is popular pasttime for summer. This was not the case for the kids from the boys and girls club who spent two weeks at the Malcolm Blue Farm.
Getting out and away from the air conditioner, television, roller blades, and game rooms, the boys and girls looked for other forms of entertainment. In the sandy soil at the Malcolm Blue Farm, they made a surprising discovery that for a very small bug, doodling is a way of life. Martha Searingen, camp director, pointed out the doodle bug holes in the sand. She gently stuck a stick into the small hole while chanting: "Doodle Bug, Doodle Bug, your house is on fire! Come out Doodle Bug! Come out Doodle Bug!" By this time, the unharmed, but highly agitated doodle bug would make its appearance. The boys and girls were fascinated.
Ant lions, more commonly known as doodle bugs, dig holes and patiently hide out at the bottom, waiting for an ant to fall in. The ant is quickly devoured and the doodle bug cleans its trap and waits again. The doodle bug, when it reaches the end of its larva stage, moves deeper into the sand to build its cocoon. At the adult stage, the ant lion resembles a small dragon fly. The kids became devoted doodle bugs watchers. Whenever they had a break they could be found checking on the doodle bugs' progress.
The beauty of Malcolm Blue is that it is truly reminiscent of another era. It is hard not to be charmed by the simplicity of bygone days. Martha encouraged her group to travel in time by keeping journals as well as partaking in some old arts not yet forgotten. From potting to the Civil War, and from quilting to making gourd Martin houses, the kids were well versed in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth century daily life with hands on experience.
Their attitudes improved as the days passed. It was still hot but fewer complained and it was still work but everyone did their part. They not only cooked a pioneer meal from scratch complete with turnip greens, sweet potatoes, fried catfish, butter beans, cucumbers, hot water cornbread, homemade ketchup, apple crisps and fresh squeezed lemonade, but they also ate it with gusto.
The camp rounded off the two weeks with an old fashioned ice cream social and before momentum was lost, the club was asked to write thank you notes to all the volunteers. As they doodled out their thanks and said their goodbyes, they were none the wiser that they were leaving with a better appreciation of history, work, art, nature, biology, nutrition, and etiquette that had been disguised as fun. It turns out that doodling at the Malcolm Blue adds up to a whole lot of work!
Currently we meet one afternoon each week. Some of the junior historians will participate as costume interpreters at our Holiday Open House on December 10, and 11. They are so excited about the costumes and attending a training class.
Submitted by Ellen Marcus and Martha Swaringen
(10-25-05)
2004-2005 Club News Archives
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