Full list of events marking 125th anniversary of Wilmington's coup and massacre of 1898
Nov. 10 marks the 125th anniversary of what is arguably the darkest day in Wilmington's history: the coup and massacre of 1898.
On that day, a white supremacist mob organized by leading Wilmington residents with support from the state Democratic party unleashed a campaign of terror against the Black citizens of Wilmington. Estimates vary, but dozens, possibly as many as 300, were killed, and an untold number of others were forced to leave town under threat of death.
The massacre came on the heels of an election marked by voter intimidation, and directly after the coup, when a biracial, progressive coalition of officeholders who hadn't been up for election were forced to resign.
One of numerous mass attacks nationwide on Black by whites in the late 19th and early 20th century, the Wilmington massacre is recognized by historians as the only successful coup on American soil.
Until the 100th anniversary of 1898 was marked 25 years ago, the coup and massacre had been largely lost to history. Since then, progress has been made in acknowledging the event and identifying its lingering impact on the Black community. A memorial was installed on North Third Street in 2008 and, after being known as a "race riot" for many years, most now call the event what it was: a coup and massacre.
Fittingly for such a defining historical happening, Wilmington has a significant number of events to mark the 125th anniversary of 1898, from lectures and film screenings to concerts, memorials and more.
Here's a list of the events we know about, many of them organized by the 1898 Massacre & Coup D'etat Obervance Committee.
Nov. 1
Racial Equity and Trauma Training Series: Three-part training series by the New Hanover County Resiliency Task Force runs 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 1, 8 and 15. Email jvaneteskiba@gmail.com for details.
Nov. 2
'Victory Undone? African-American Civil War Veterans & the Wilmington Coup': Educator Kaitlin O’Connor presents this lecture sponsored by the New Hanover County Library at the library's Pleasure Island branch, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2.
Nov. 5
“I, Too" documentary screening: The Cape Fear Museum and St. Luke AME Church present this documentary by Dr. Carol Anderson, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies at Emory University Atlanta, which looks at past mass attacks on Blacks, including 1898, and how they connect to today. 2:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Cape Fear Museum.
Nov. 8
'The Planning and Events That Led to the Massacre of 1898': The city of Wilmington's Office of Equity & Inclusion presents this event, a teach-in of sorts, noon-1 p.m. Nov. 8 at 1898 Memorial Park on North Third Street.
'Real Talk: Descendants in Dialogue': The University of North Carolina Wilmington's 1898: Futures and Legacies Research Collective presents this talk with descendants of 1898 victims Alex Manly, Joshua Halsey and W. B. McKoy. Discussion will center on the massacre's legacy and how it relates to today. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 in Beckwith Recital Hall, Cultural Arts Building on the UNCW campus. Free.
Nov. 9
Wreath laying ceremony: The city of Wilmington and New Hanover County present this ceremony to honor the victims of 1898. 9 a.m. Nov. 9 at 1898 Memorial Park on North Third Street.
1898 clergy luncheon: Lunch sponsored by the New Hanover County Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the city of Wilmington will be held in the city's new offices at 929 N. Front St. 11:30 a.m. Nov. 9.
'1898 and the Spanish-American War': Speaker Rafael Toro, a retired veteran and educator, will lead this lecture sponsored by the Nixon Leadership Center, The Black Caucus and the 1898 Observance Commitee. Lecture will be held at Cape Fear Community College Union Station, room N-202. 6 p.m. Nov 9.
'Wilmington On Fire': Screening of the 2015 documentary about 1898 by Wilmington filmmaker Christopher Everett. Will include clips of the film's upcoming sequel, "Wilmington on Fire: Chapter II." Sponsored by the New Hanover County Library and DREAMS Center for Arts Education. 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at DREAMS, 901 Fanning St. Free, with registration required.
Nov. 10
Multi-faith blessing: UNCW's Restorative Justic Collaborative presents this event on the former site of The Daily Record, the Black-owned newspaper that was burned by a white mob on this day in 1898. 9:45 a.m. Nov. 10, 709 Church St.
'The Story of Joshua Halsey and Descendants': Tim Pinnick, a genealogist with the Wilmington African American Community Remembrance Project, will lead this discussion about how descendants of 1898 victim Josh Halsey were found using genealogy. Pinnick will also discuss his ongoing search for descendants impacted by the events of 1898. 3:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Saint Mark Episcopal Church, 600 Grace St.
'Black Press Rising from the Ashes of 1898': A tribute to Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, late editor and publisher of The Wilmington Journal. Frances Weller of WECT will be the mistress of ceremonies for a program that will include performances by violinist Christa Faison, the Williston Alumni Choir and a spoken word portion called Speak Ya Peace. 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at Thalian Hall.
'Monument' at the Cameron Art Museum: On Nov. 10, the museum will open a new exhibit, "Monument," inspired by the spirit of "Boundless," the sculpture honoring soldiers from the U.S. Colored Troops who fought in the Civil War. "Monument" includes work by multiple artists, including new work from "Boundless" sculptor Stephen Hayes.
Cameron Art Museum: How a Wilmington sculpture helped bring Black Civil War vet's extraordinary story to light
Nov. 11
USCT Descendants Homecoming Day: Descendants of U.S Colored Troops from around the country are coming to Wilmington for USCT Descendants Homecoming Day, which will include Civil War re-enactments, lectures, live music, family activities and the premiere of a new documentary on the USCT descendants. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Cameron Art Museum. Free.
'1898 Symposium and Essay Contest': Symposium addressing the ongoing impacts of 1898 has a big-name lineup of panelists, including Bishop William Barber (formerly of the N.C. NAACP), legendary Wilmington educator Bertha Todd (who helped lead the 100th anniversary commemoration in 1998) and others. Discussion will focus on ways to address the continuing harm caused by 1898. Winners of a student essay contest on 1898 will be recognized. 1-4 p.m. Nov. 11 at Williston Middle School, free. Reception follows.
Talk with LeRae Umfleet: Discussion with the author of "A Day of Blood: The 1898 Wilmington Race Riot." Sponsored by the New Hanover County Library, public radio WHQR and CFCC. 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at Thalian Hall.
'Project 1898' concert: The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents a concert that will include a new work commissioned to commemorate the 125th anniversary of 1898. Also on the program is Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto performed by Sphinx Competition winner Adé Williams. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at CFCC Wilson Center, tickets start at $25.
Nov. 12
'Fighting for Freedom': DREAMS' Dance Theatre program presents this performance inspired by the events of 1898. 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Cameron Art Museum.
'Our Work Continues': The New Hanover County Community Remembrance Project presents its 1898 soil jar display, with soil gathered from important 1898 sites. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. at the Cape Fear Museum.
Nov. 13
'1898 Black Wall Street': Discussion about how Black wealth was lost in 1898, as many were forced to abandon property and many Black-owned businesses were destroyed. Includes a screening of "The Red Cape," a short film dramatizing the events of 1898. 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Upperman African-American Cultural Center in the Fisher Student Union, UNCW campus. Free.
Nov. 28
'Killing Black Consciousness as a Long Project of White Nationalism: Wilmington 1898 to Now': Discussion led by Dr. Nishani Frazier, director of public history at N.C. State University. 5 p.m. Nov. 28 at Lumina Theatre in the Fisher Student Center, UNCW campus.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Events on 125th anniversary of 1898 Wilmington coup and massacre
