All posts by NHIA

Civil War History Talk 8/18/22

TALK BY ERNEST A DOLLAR, JR.

HEARTS TORN ASUNDER: TRAUMA IN THE CIVIL WAR’S FINAL CAMPAIGN IN NORTH CAROLINA

Thursday, August 18, 7-8:30 pm

New Hope Improvement Association 4114 Whitfield Rd, Chapel Hill; next door to the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Dollar, the Director of the City of Raleigh Museum and Pope House Museum and Civil War scholar will talk about the last couple of weeks before the surrender of Gen. Johnston to Gen. Sherman at the home of James and Nancy Bennet. He will speak about the impact of the end of the war, especially after Lee’s surrender to Grant. As war weariness spread among the troops, the generals and leader of both the Union and Confederate troops were hard pressed to maintain discipline. There were wholesale desertions, increasing drunkenness, accompanied by looting and arson. The troops were spread between Raleigh and Hillsborough including Chapel Hill. Cornelia Philips Spenser describes women dressed in mourning vails trying to find food for their families in fear of soldiers, both Confederate and Union. Slave narratives collected in  the 1930s provide a glimpse into the hoped for freedom along with uncertainty about the future.  This is not the history found in usual books that fail to describe the execution of slaves by Confederate soldiers if they expressed a desire for freedom, and the indiscriminate killing of Blacks by Union soldiers. Come spend a fascinating hour learning about history that did not make it into history books or the “Lost Cause” of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Refreshments will be served. There  should be time for informal discussion with the author.

Christmas Benefit for PruittHealth

Last year, the New Hope Improvement Association members and community provided holiday gift bags filled with specific requests for each of the 90 residents at PruittHealth on Mt. Sinai Road. In addition to gifts of slippers, blankets and robes, we were able to give some residents watches, earbuds, and a gold cross necklace. We were also able to provide grocery gift cards for staff members. We are hoping to make this another special Christmas for the residents and staff at PruittHealth.

Please be a part of this wonderful benefit and donate through our website at https://newhopeimprovement.square.site or mail a check to NHIA, PO Box 16013, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-6013. Please put PruittHealth Benefit in the memo.


Thank you so much for supporting this Christmas Benefit.

“Last year I wasn’t expecting anything and I was so happy to receive my bag and to know I was not forgotten.” – PruittHealth Resident

2021 New Hope Turkey Run Cancelled

Due to the ongoing Pandemic, Duke Forest is limiting the size of groups visiting the Forest and they will not allow something the size of the Turkey Run at this time.  We have already printed the Tshirts which are long sleeved and a great color combination.  We don’t ever have dates on  the Tshirts so we’ll be able to use them next year!  We do plan on having the Turkey Run next year – November 12,2022 – so stay in shape.  And stay safe!  The Tshirt sponsors should be supported for donating funds for what turned out to be next year’s shirts and they are listed below.

            9th Street Active Feet, in Durham

            Family Fare Stores, all over the Triangle

            Carolina Godiva Track Club

            New Hope Animal Hospital, between Durham and Chapel Hill

Thanks everyone and see you next November.