Spring/Summer Thank You(s) in Order Visitors to your Ayden History Museum may not realize how fortunate we are to have our Town offices as supportive and generous as they are, Whether working on needed repairs, adding mulch to the flower beds, providing much needed heating and air, printing, giving us space for our growing exhibits, or just giving an "attaboy,” we are grateful for this continuing support. ‘Thank you, Town of Ayden! ‘One of our most faithful and behind-the-scenes ‘workers is Dale Cockrell. Painting, scraping, moving, assembling, suggesting, lifting, accessing items, and even going into the creepy basement to store or retrieve...these are just some of the ways Dale has added to the success of your museum. Thank you, Dale! Artistic, aesthetic, amazing ideas simply pour out of Phil Barth's mind. When a project is in its early stages, ‘wo of three people will meet with Phil to discuss what is needed and how to go about achieving the look that is wanted. Ideas start rolling from his brain in a steady stream, He says someone needs to take notes on the ‘workable ideas, because he won't necessarily remember them all. And what great ideas he has! Some might be a little too grand for our litle museum, but all you have to do is walk through each of the exhibits to see how skillfully he enhances each area, It is a joy to watch him brainstorm ideas for a new project. Thank you, Phil! Countless hours, sleepless nights, digging for specific information, interviewing sources, being interviewed, checking and rechecking the validity of material, meeting with Town employees, encouraging and ‘monitoring the creation of each exhibit, making herself available to anyone who wants a special tour of the ‘museum at any time...Andrea Norris is the sole reason the museum even exists. When she takes on a task, she gives it 200 percent, Thank you, Andrea! Ayden Historical & Arts Society May 2021, y Volume 1V, Issue 1 = Open Again! ‘Now that pandemic restrictions are somewhat loosened, the AH&AS Museum has again begun a regularly scheduled Open House on the fourth Sunday of each month, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Docents will be in each of the exhibit areas to explain and answer questions, Whatever the CDC Covid guidelines are at each time, we will adhere to them. Thanks to recent articles in The Daily Reflector and The Standard, we have been contacted and visited by folks who otherwise would not have known about us. ‘Their positive response has been most appreciated. Both newspapers are posting a monthly reminder in Community Events, We hope to see you at the museum! * * * Recent Aquisitions ‘Among the latest items aquired by the museum is a doll that has piqued the curiosity of one of the docents. Is it an antique or a copy, is it marked in any way, how old is it, is it from an old and well known French manufacturer? With some careful removal (and replacement) of a clothing item on the doll, there may be an answer to all the above questions...time will tell. She is keeping her secrets, for now, under her stitched-on red satin gown. Check the next newsletter for "undercover" discoveries. We have also received a 1931 desktop embosser from the First National Bank of Ayden, a post card sent from the Hotel Tripp in Ayden in 1904, two 5" circular reflectors from the J.P.Sumrell Cotton Gin in ‘Ayden, and two bookeases currently in use in the acquisitions room, We are currently on the lookout for ‘one or two of the window flags from WWI that indicated numbers of family in service.Changes in Appearance ‘There have been some cosmetic changes in the arrangement of fundraiser bricks outside the museum. After discovering the growth of mold on bricks next to the building, those two or three rows were relocated and the spaces left were filled with plain pavers, Even though a minor change, it has geatly improved the look of the area. And speaking of bricks...n order will soon be sent off, making this a great time to place your request for a brick to honor or remember someone special to you. Some beautification in the restroom has also taken place...lttle touches to improve its overall appearance. (The guys will say, "I don’t see any difference...a bathroom is a bathroom!" But ladies know!) + # «@ BBQ At long last, the Ayden BBQ History space is beginning to take shape. Painting is done, flooring is done, research is done, timeline is written, photographs have been approved, donations have begun! The space will trace the history of our two local BBQ restaurants, from their beginnings with one joint ancestor, through all, ‘the changes along the way to today's establishments. The exhibit is to be completed in its entirety before this year’s Collard Festival. The museum will be open to the public during the two days of the Festival. We are grateful to Sam Jones and to Larry and Shirley Dennis for their help in getting this done right! Ayden Fire Story In 1902, two-thirds of Ayden's businesses on both sides of the railroad tracks were destroyed by fire. In January of 1906, five stores bumned. In 1913, the Raleigh News & Observer reported that fires destroyed the Rose Hotel, Pressing Club, Dr. H. Johnson's office, FWB and Ayden Advance Printing House, and Dr. Frizelle's office. There was no fire department during those times, and the ‘wooden structure blazes were fought by fire brigade. As to be expected, most were rebuilt with brick. Did You Know... --that at one time all roads leading into Ayden were met by gates owned by the town? Laws enacted one hhundred years ago sound peculiar to us, but with a little digging we find that they reflect the conditions of the day. Cattle, hogs, and other livestock from outlying farms roamed five throughout the town. Citizen complaints forced the town board to take action; and in 1907, act they did! Suitable fencing to keep out livestock was erected around the town, with gates placed at every entrance into town. Robert Harris remembered that as a boy, he had to hop down from a horse-drawn wagon to open the gate at the entrance coming from Venters Crossroads, and then close it again before coming on into town. In addition to that town action, hog pens were forbidden within one hundred feet of a dwelling, and a stock pound was erected to contain any roaming livestock that left its owner's property. Your gallon of fresh milk could be on the hoof in your backyard, but she had to stay there! eo # High Praise in 1904 A September 20, 1904 article in the Raleigh News & Observer stated: "I can think of no town in eastern North Carolina for its size and what it has undergone from fire that has made more rapid progress than Ayden within the last two years In 1902, a devastating fire destroyed frame buildings on both sides of the railroad. Within the last twelve months, the population of Ayden has inereased from about 750 to over 1000. The town's business consists of: 12-15 general stores (7 built inthe last 12 months), 4 millinery stores, 1 drug store, 3 or 4 grocery stores, 2 doctor's offices, 3 hotels, 3 livery siables, 2 barber shops, 1 FWB Seminary, 1 bank, 4 churches. All town residences and businesses are electrified." * * * Editor: Pago Worthington Publisher: Toww op Ayden Website: aydenhistoricalandartssociety.com