Bringing History to Life

A Civil War Family

In 2002 Brad Craver and his sons, Austin and Andrew, decided to take up a hobby that has kept them close as a family and has brought history to life for them. As amateur Civil War historians, the Cravers spend six or seven weekends each year participating in Civil War reenactments in North Carolina, Virginia and as far north as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

On the evening of September 14, 2009, Brad and his sons met with members of the Lewisville Historical Society under the oak trees at Shallowford Square. Their Civil War presentation included relics of that era — a sword, a pistol, and a rifle that was loaded and fired by both Austin and Andrew.

Dressed in full Civil War garb, the Cravers also brought with them items that a typical Civil War soldier might have carried in his haversack (backpack): a “housewife” (a sewing kit), military handbook, Christian tract, playing cards, bed cap, eating utensils and a supply of hardtack (hard biscuits).

Whenever the Cravers share with groups of various ages or are involved in Civil War reenactments, they typically represent two particular regiments: the Federal Army’s 83rd Pennsylvania Regiment and the Confederate States Army’s 24th Virginia Regiment. They’re part of the approximately 50,000 Civil War reenactors from nearly every state in the USA, as well as from other countries, including England and Belgium.

To see more PHOTOS and to hear the AUDIO RECORDING of the Cravers’ Civil War presentation, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on the Civil War

Graveyard Tour — Shiloh Lutheran Church

The Old Cemetery

The final stop of the 2009 Historic Graveyard Tour that was held on May 2, 2009 was The Old Cemetery at Shiloh Lutheran Church, the oldest congregation in Lewisville, and the oldest Lutheran Church in Forsyth County. Located a quarter mile east of Shiloh Lutheran Church — and tucked away in a peaceful nook in the woods — The Old Cemetery offers a bit of “revolutionary” history and local legend for all who walk that sacred ground. The site of the original church is located further into the woods, not too far from The Old Cemetery.

Preserving History

Hosting the last portion of the Historic Graveyard Tour was Terry Dull, a long-time member of Shiloh Lutheran Church. About eight years ago, Terry and his wife Bette began researching the history of the church and the old graveyard. They wanted to preserve the church’s rich history for future generations. In 2002 Terry and Bette published their findings in a 36-page booklet titled The Old Deutsch Meeting House Graveyard, just in time for the church’s 225th anniversary.

For more HISTORY, PHOTOS and AUDIO, please continue to the NEXT SECTION.
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Yesterday’s Journeys

Let’s Go!

Let’s take a trip together, shall we? We’ll journey back in time — as far back as 300 years ago — and get a glimpse of the various modes of transportation used in Piedmont North Carolina, beginning with the early settlers. And while we’re at it, we’ll stop by a few local historic sites.

In the 1700s and 1800s, traveling was downright hard and was often dangerous. With a little help from the folks who sponsored the 4th Annual Yadkin Valley History Fair & Conference on Saturday, August 8, 2009, we’ll learn about such challenges as making one’s way over the Indian trails, dirt roads and treacherous rivers of earlier times.

Please continue to the NEXT SECTION for more HISTORY, PHOTOS and AUDIO on early transportation in the Yadkin Valley/Piedmont area of North Carolina. CLICK for more on Yesterday’s Journeys

Historic Graveyard Tour — Lewisville UMC

More History Lessons

The fifth of six stops on the 2009 Historic Graveyard Tour that was held on May 2, 2009 brought us to Lewisville United Methodist Church.

In 2003 Ruth Reynolds Hartle wrote a series of articles on the history of Lewisville United Methodist Church that appeared in the church’s monthly newsletters, leading up to its 125th anniversary celebration in October 2003. (Ruth’s sources for the articles were the church archives and the book, The History of Lewisville United Methodist Church 1878–1988, written by her brother, the late G. Galloway Reynolds.)

While reading Ruth’s articles (which can be found online at Our Methodist Heritage), it became clear to me why Ruth was the spokesperson for this stop on the graveyard tour. Ruth is not only a long-time member of Lewisville United Methodist Church and the sister of Lewisville’s foremost historian, G. Galloway Reynolds, but her writings reflect that she, like her brother, cherishes history and seeks out the lessons it can teach us.

For more HISTORY, PHOTOS and AUDIO, please continue to the NEXT SECTION.
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