Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/653613
MARCH 16-22, 2016 UCW 19 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Fayetteville and the surrounding areas have played a unique role in the nation's history, and one of the best places to learn about it is at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum. The museum is housed in a renovated 1890 Railroad Depot. It is a two-story building the focuses on local history from pre- history through to the 20th century. Some of the favorite exhibits are the model train museum and a recreated Station Agent's Office. One of the most exciting aspects of the museum is the changing exhibits. "The first one started in mid January when we opened an exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of Fayetteville's involvement in the punitive expedition of 1916," Bruce Daws the museum director explained. "Poncho Villa, Mexican Revolutionary, attacked Columbus, New Mexico, resulting in military action by the United States. The National Guard was mobilized, including the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company. The Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry was deployed to the border and did not return home until the eve of World War I. Just as they came home in 1917 they were deployed in the 1st World War. This exhibit will be up till end of the year." Another exciting new change is the Black History exhibit. This celebration of diversity changes every year. Daws described the new exhibit by saying, "A new Black History exhibit entitled 'The Life and Times of Edward (1863-1943) and Sallie (1866-1943) Evans' will be featured in the upstairs gallery. They were both premier educators, church, civic and community leaders who touched the lives of thousands and are remembered for improving the quality of life in Fayetteville. This exhibit will remain in the museum until February 2017." Unlike the previously mentioned exhibits, another project in the works at the museum is an overhaul of the East Room. It will be dedicated to Cape Fear River History. There will also be a small section on a blockade-runner. "On February 26, 2016, a new exhibit opened on the Confederate Blockade Runner Modern Greece, which ran aground attempting to run the Union blockade near Fort Fisher in 1862." said Daws. "This exhibit features many artifacts recovered from the Modern Greece, which are on loan from Underwater Archaeology, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Cargo from Blockade Runners would make their way up the Cape Fear River, and in turn products from Fayetteville would be taken down the river to Wilmington, and shipped to European markets after running the Union blockade." Just as with today, death was an inescapable part of life for those in the Victorian era. Even though death is a common thread, the traditions surrounding death have changed tremendously. Another new exhibit will explore these differences. "An exhibit on "Death, Dying and Victorian Mourning" will open in an upstairs gallery on May 6, 2016. This exhibit is a collaboration with the Museum of the Cape Fear, which will also open a similar exhibit on the same day. The exhibit will feature many artifacts associated with the topic of death and dying and mourning. Also during the calendar year 2016, our downstairs East Gallery will receive a face lift with new exhibits related to Fayetteville and the Cape Fear River" Located next to the museum is another exciting adventure into the past awaiting. The museum annex focuses on Fayetteville's connection with automobiles, airplanes, farm life, history of the fire department and the early history of Fort Bragg and Pope Army Air Field. Highlights of the museum annex include a recreation 1920's gas station, vintage cars and an 1880s Silsby Steam Pump Engine. The Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum is located at 325 Franklin St. For more information call 910.433.1457. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays. Tuesday through Saturday the standard hours are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Local History on Display by ERINN CRIDER The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum houses several exciting and interesting exhibits showcasing local history. ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200