Spring 2025 HSNC Meeting, Salisbury, NC

The Spring 2025 meeting of the Historical Society of North Carolina (HSNC) is scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2025, in historic downtown Salisbury, NC. The meeting will be held at the Rowan Museum, which is the former 1857 County Courthouse, located at 202 North Main Street.

3:00 pm: Arrival

• The meeting will convene around 3:00 PM at the Rowan Museum
• Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to tour the antebellum courthouse exhibits.
• Parking is available on Main and Council streets, as well as around the nearby present-day Courthouse.
• Carpooling is encouraged, especially for older members who might appreciate a ride.
• Those coming from the Triangle area can consider taking US 64 west to Lexington and then US 29 south to Salisbury for a scenic route, avoiding interstate traffic in the Triad.

4:00 pm: Afternoon Programs

“The Marshal Ney Story”: Dr. Gary Freeze, an HSNC member and retired Catawba College professor, will deliver a presentation connecting this two-hundred-year-old fabled account to Rowan County. He will discuss fascinating facts and traditions related to the story, noting that while most historians conclude Peter Stewart Ney (who died in Rowan County in 1846) was not the Marshal Ney of Napoleon’s Army, some “Neysayers” remain unconvinced.

“Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods”: Greg Jarrell, an author, minister, musician, and cultural organizer from Charlotte, will discuss his recently released 2024 book. His book provides a powerful account of the controversial urban renewal movement in 1960s Charlotte, highlighting the role of local white Protestant congregations and the lasting impact on the city. This movement also occurred in other North Carolina cities and towns.

5:30 pm: Business Session
A brief business session will be held.
The memoir for deceased member Dr. John L. Bell, Jr. (1933-2024) of Western Carolina University will be read.
The session will include general reports.
The Nominations Committee is “To be announced in April” and is accepting applications for memberships, as the active membership limit has increased from 100 to 120. They will also present a slate of officers for 2025 and one new Executive Council member.
The financial report will be presented by Treasurer Jason Tomberlin.

6:00 pm: Dinner
The meal will be served in the former courtroom and will be Southern-Style, including chicken and dumplings, ham, snaps, creamed corn, roasted red potatoes, and salad. Vegetarian options will be available. For dessert, seasonal strawberry shortcake will be served. The cost per meal is $15.00.  Reservations are required and must be made by emailing Secretary Michael Perdue at history6557@yahoo.com no later than March 25, 2025.  Payment can be made at the meeting to Treasurer Jason Tomberlin, but payment will still be expected if a reservation is cancelled or not honored.  Dues payments can also be combined with dinner payments.

7:00 pm: Evening Program

“Doc Watson: A Life in Music”: Musician, photographer, and author Eddie Huffman of Greensboro will be joined by musical guest Paul Brown to discuss Huffman’s recent book. The program will feature stories and a short musicale from the life and career of Arthel “Doc” Watson (1923-2012), the Watauga County native and Grammy award-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter who greatly impacted North Carolina culture and music.