It’s a Palazzo! The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local history Museum really know how to celebrate. As a part of the Fayetteville’s 250th Anniversary Celebration they have an extraordinary line up of educational activities. They have left no stone unturned. From July to October numerous activities have been planned to exhibit the wonderful and vast history of Fayetteville. From the Market House to the churches, from historic buildings to the flowing river, even to the men and women of our military who fought to uphold our freedom; the museum has it all covered in their tours and programs. The scheduled events are an eye opener to the wonderful community of Fayetteville.

There is a longing in each of us to know our history. It somehow helps us to find our place in the world. From the young child that asks “how did I get here?” and “where do babies come from?” to the adolescent that wonders if they truly matter and the young adult who is “trying to find myself,” there is a part of us that longs to know the past that produced the present. Connecting with the struggles and successes of our ancestors helps us to connect with the greatness that we each have inside us. It also helps us to imagine how our own contributions will affect society for those who will follow behind us.

Fayetteville’s history is a combination of all those who have lived and sacrifi ced long before our time. Among these great individuals are the contributions of many African-American’s. Although the month of February is often set aside to celebrate the impact and contributions these individuals have made, the Transportation and History Museum has once again taken the time to recognize their heritage on the Africa-American Heritage tour scheduled to take place on Aug. 13. According to Heidi Bleazey, museum specialist, “The city has offered numerous African-American themed tours and programs over the years and incorporated African-American heritage into many of the various themed tours and exhibits conducted through the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum. This is the fi rst one led by Charles Anderson and the fi rst one packaged in this format for the 250th Celebration.” Charles Anderson is a professor at Central Texas College on Fort Bragg.

This three hour tour will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., exploring the downtown area while noting the contributions of African Americans. Scheduled stops on the tour include: Brookside Cemetery, E.E. Smith’s home, the Orange Street School and the home of the Chesnutt sisters. The Chestnutt sisters were educators in Cumberland County and are the sisters of Charles Waddell Chesnutt, noted African-American author for whom the Fayetteville State University Charles W. Chesnutt Special Library & Archives is named.

More than African-American heritage, this tour is the heritage of our beloved city, the place we call home today. It was woven together by all of our ancestors. Each piece of unique history connects us all.

To find out more about this tour or other tours offered by the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local history Museum contact 433-1457, 1458, or 1944.

Photo: Charles W. Chestnutt