Lectures, Reading, and Discussion

New Bern History: A Lecture and Discussion Series

The Lifetime Learning Center is pleased to announce the continuation of the New Bern History lecture series. Our goal is to engage the broader community and expand the understanding of, and the engagement in, the fascinating history of New Bern and the region. The series is presented by Craven Community College Lifetime Learning Center and Tryon Palace, in partnership with the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the New Bern Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The presentations will take place on Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. in the Cullman Performance Hall at the North Carolina History Center, 529 S. Front Street, downtown New Bern. The programs will be offered free to the public and all with an interest are welcome to join us. Donations will be accepted at the door to support the program. If you are planning to attend, we ask that you please register for the program.

2025 Schedule of Events

January 29 - The Preservation and Care of Historic Documents - Speaker: Sarah Koonts, Director, State Archives of North Carolina, NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources - RSVP

February 12 - History and Tradition of Fife & Drum - Speaker: Shane Mason, Historical Interpretation and Programs Coordinator, Tryon Palace - RSVP

February 26 - The Regulator Movement - Speaker: Carole Watterson Troxler, Professor Emeritus of History, Elon University - RSVP

Created Equal: From Bondage to Freedom in James City

Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 3 p.m.
Orringer Auditorium
Sponsored by the Craven CC Lifetime Learning Center
Presented by the James City Historical Society (JCHS)
A Free Event – The Public is invited to attend
No reservation is required.

Dr. Strayhorn will discuss the James City Historical Society’s project entitled Created Equal: From Bondage to Freedom in James City with focus on the history and legacy of the James City community and its connection with the ideals of our nation’s founding. Strayhorn will also highlight two digital projects and his role in designing the projects and how they can be used to help educate and inspire the community and broader world. 

Dr. Joshua Strayhorn received his Ph.D. from Duke University and is a historian of the 19th and 20th century United States. His research interests include African American history, specifically Emancipation, Reconstruction, and migration. His book manuscript, tentatively titled, Freedom’s Promise: Black Mobility, Migration, and Freedom Dreams in Eastern North Carolina, 1861-1898 examines race, religion, and migration in post-emancipation North Carolina, asking what were the political, economic, social, religious factors that contributed to black migration. Dr. Strayhorn’s work has been supported by a number of organizations including the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, the North Carolinian Society, and the Mellon Foundation. Currently, Dr. Strayhorn is a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow with the National Park Service.

The James City Historical Society honors the oldest community founded by formerly enslaved people in North Carolina. During the Civil War, more than 10,000 refugees from slavery came to Union-occupied New Bern seeking freedom. By 1865, almost 3,000 formerly enslaved people lived in the Trent River Settlement opposite New Bern in Craven County.  Renamed James City, its residents created a proud history of fighting for self-determination. Today the JCHS is the caretaker of two historical treasures: the Far Cemetery and the Circa 1850 Slave Quarters.

This presentation is made possible in part by a grant from America 250 NC, an initiative by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.