A Glimpse of History Catches a City Sleeping

Having lived in Greensboro for twenty-odd years now, I was surprised to learn that this year is the bicentennial year for the city. I can only think back over the past twenty years and look at how the city has changed to know that we have come a long, long way.

Walking through downtown as a club-goer in my younger days, you can feel the history on the streets. Elements of it still remain- the narrowness of the streets, the short brick and mortar instead of skyscraper concrete and glass, even the color of the brick itself gives off the smell of age as you walk by. Most people out that time of night don’t notice those things, but they are there, none the less. Things just aren’t built like that these days, not to last hundreds of years. I’m 27 years old, and cars my age are “vintage” already.

Do you remember when Bryan Blvd was still in planning? The house I lived in with my parents in Guilford Hills backed on to Bryan. I can remember being so upset when they started construction, they cut down my favorite climbing trees and the best apple tree I have ever seen. I respect the planners now, as an adult, otherwise getting to the airport would be difficult. It seems like the Loop has been in planning forever, and now it’s almost completed. Time flies, huh?

I graduated from Grimsley High School in 1999, the 100^th graduating class of the oldest high school in the city. Such a big deal was made over that, I am actually disappointed in the City of Greensboro in how little publicity I have seen for the city events that have been scheduled. It’s all fine and well to put up little signs on the side of the road with a web address, but to be honest, the message on the sign was so cryptic that I, and the majority of the people I have talked to about it, did not realize it was even regarding the bicentennial, and really, who is going to stop driving to write down a website address? My husband and I have kept a look out for ads on TV, and if you don’t watch the news, which I avoid (who wants 20 minutes of murders and arrests?) the ads are non-existent.

Even the events themselves are disappointing. This is a bicentennial, people! This is a big deal! Where are the special plans for FunFourth/4^th of July? Where is the Memorial Day weekend block party in downtown? Where is the big kickoff to summer? Where is the fun stuff? Do they honestly think that young adults, who make up a good chunk of the population considering the number of colleges here, are going to attend lectures voluntarily? I still shudder at the amount of lectures I attended in college. Besides, I can’t exactly take a 3 year old with me.

As it stands right now, there are two events scheduled that are child friendly, the Heritage Festival later this month and the Parade of Decades in May. Why not schedule a guest speaker at the Children’s Museum to explain to them what a bicentennial means? To tell stories that would interest a child about what the city was like 200 years ago? Where is the involvement in the schools in putting together time capsules? It’s not too late to add events like that. Or are we to assume that the only people that these “celebrations” are aimed at are the ones who have lived in the city for 200 years already and can sit through that many lectures? Really, is that the best you have to offer?

We are the fastest growing city in the state, especially in the Hispanic sector. Where is the history on how different minorities have helped make Greensboro what it is today? Or are we only black and white now? These celebrations are supposed to be showing the pride residents take in the heritage of this city, and a glimpse of the past. Greensboro has such a rich history, and to be leaving so much of it out, or simply inaccessible to those who shape the future is simply unacceptable. Apparently Greensboro’s “Bicentennial Commission” of 27 plus 3 co-chairs hoped that no one would notice if they gave a peek and kept on moving. Talk about being ruled by a committee…

“The Bicentennial is being planned and organized by volunteer committees that include: Arts and Cultural, Budget and Finance, Commemoration, Education, Fundraising, History, Neighborhoods, Torch Relay, Downtown Heritage Festival, World of Tomorrow, Parade of Decades, Publicity and Public Relations, and Faith Community.” – http://www.greensboro200.com

Seems like someone fell asleep on the job. On top of that, this committee has been in place since 2005, according to one of the chair-persons epitaph on the Greensboro200 website. This is the result of 3 years of planning?

To help out the committee, who seems incapable of putting a decent, comprehensive, readable website together (whomever decided that small type red on orange with pink highlights would be a good idea should be fired), I went to every website that I could find that was even remotely related to the bicentennial or it’s events, and I made a comprehensive list of everything I could find, as of right now. This is not to say that they won’t add other events later, but hey, I’m not psychic. I will add to this list as I find new events, so check back often.

Ongoing:

1. “It’s All About Greensboro” Lecture Series (March 16 - April 24, 2008) - Greensboro Historical Museum, (336) 373-2811 or www.greensborohistory.org.

2. “NC Portrait” Exhibition (March 21 - May 31, 2008) - Green Hill Center for NC Art, Greensboro Cultural Center, (336) 333-7460 or www.greenhillcenter.org.

3. Greensboro and the Underground Railroad Program (March 31 - April 5, 2008) - Guilford College, (336) 316-2852 or www.guilford.edu.

April 2008:

1. Elliot Engel lecture on short story writer O. Henry (April 1, 2008) - Dana Auditorium, Guilford College, (336) 316-2852 or www.guilford.edu.

2. Faith Community Pulpit Exchange (April 4-6) – Participating faith groups will welcome worship leaders from different faith groups to speak to their congregations. Locations vary.

3. Heritage Festival (weekend of April 11, 2008) - This downtown festival will include historical and multicultural activities such as heritage arts and crafts, vintage games, historical re-enactments, fine art exhibits, performances, music, and activities for children.

4. Celebrate!200 Dance Through the Decades (April 11, 2008) - Come dressed to impress in your favorite decade wear and be prepared to dance to music from a variety of decades. The dance will be held from 8 pm until midnight at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center. Tickets may be purchased at the Carolina Theatre, Greensboro Historical Museum, Ticketmaster and the Coliseum box office.

5. Organ and Choral Concert - Music for a Great Space celebrates Greensboro’s Bicentennial (April 18, 2008) - Christ United Methodist Church, 410 N. Holden Rd. Tickets: Carolina Theatre Box Office, (336) 333-2605 or www.musicforagreatspace.org.

6. “Greensboro: A Crossroads for Many Voices” Play (April 18-27, 2008) - Greensboro Historical Museum (336) 373-2043 or www.greensborohistory.org.

7. “Coming Home” Choral Concert by Bel Canto Company (April 19 and 21, 2008) Christ United Methodist Church, 410 N. Holden Rd., (336) 333-2220 or www.belcantocompany.com.

8. Neighborhood Celebrations (April 26-27, 2008) - Neighborhoods are encouraged to hold their own events, such as picnics in parks, activities in recreation centers, parades or walking tours.

9. Poetry Reading with Nikki Giovanni (April 27, 2008) - Carolina Theatre, (336) 373-3636 or www.poetrygso.org.

10. African-American Spiritual Arrangements Choral Concert (April 28, 2008) - Carolina Theatre, (336) 273-3237 or www.srsg99.com.

May 2008

1. “Beethoven, Brahms and a Birthday Celebration” Concert by Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, (May 1 and 3, 2008) - War Memorial Auditorium, Greensboro Coliseum Complex, (336) 335-5456, ext. 222, www.greensborosymphony.org.

2. Faith Community Pew Exchange (May 2-4, 2008) - People of various faiths will have the opportunity to visit participating houses of worship to learn about other faiths. Locations Vary.

3. Westerwood Neighborhood History & Architecture Walking Tour (May 7, 2008) - Walk begins at Double Oaks Bed & Breakfast, 204 N. Mendenhall St. Parking: First Baptist Church, 1000 W. Friendly Ave., (336) 202-1108.

4. World of Tomorrow Science and Technology Expo (May 7-11, 2008) - This project will involve the business and industry sector of Greensboro and will also incorporate research and technology at local universities. It will include multi-media exhibits, demonstrations and interactive opportunities that focus on futuristic expectations for our city and beyond. Presented by AT&T.

5. “Periphery” Play by Community Theatre of Greensboro (May 14-17, 2008) - Greensboro Historical Museum, (336) 333-SHOW (7469).

6. Aycock Neighborhood Events and Archaeological Dig (May 17, 2008) - Sternberger Park, corner of Fifth Avenue and Dewey street, www.historicaycock.org.

7. Parade of Decades (May 17, 2008) - This 11 am parade will celebrate 200 years of Greensboro’s history and look to its future. Elements will include marching bands, neighborhood groups, historical characters, and much more.

8. Archaeological Dig at Blandwood (Tentative dates: May 19 - June 7, 2008) - A cooperative project with UNCG, this archaeological survey of Blandwood, a National Historic Landmark in downtown Greensboro, will offer the unique opportunity to research the culture of early Guilford County life.

June 2008

1. Caldwell Historic Park Archeological Survey (June - August 2008) - David Caldwell Historic Park, Tannenbaum Historic Park, (336) 286-8565, www.greensboro-nc.gov or http://david_caldwell.gborocollege.edu.

July 2008

Nothing

August 2008

1. Bicentennial Retrospect: Six Decades of Creative Thinking by Eva Hamlin Miller (August 24 - October 3, 2008) - African American Atelier, (336) 333-6885 or www.africanamericanatelier.org.

September 2008

Nothing

October 2008

1. Explore Greensboro! Tour - Blandwood Mansion, (336) 272-5003 or www.blandwood.org.

November 2008

Nothing

December 2008

Nothing