News and Special Events
Tuscarora Mural to be Dedicated on April 25th at 11 AM in Downtown Smithfield
Book Signing and Brunswick Stew Tasting
The Johnston County Museum will host a book-signing by Smithfield native Annie Cheatham during the Ham and Yam Festival on Saturday, May 2, between 11 am and 1 pm.
Cheatham, who now lives in Massachusetts, will be on hand to sign copies of her new memoir, entitled The Baby’s Gotta Have Somethin’: Glimpses of a Southern Childhood. It is a collection of coming-of-age stories from the 1940s into the early 60s when Smithfield was primarily a tobacco market town. “My town had a vibrant main street,” she recalls. “Prosperity was in the air, and the town had an attitude about itself, a boosterism that we children duplicated in our games and activities.”
One of Cheatham’s favorite memories centers around a big Brunswick stew fundraiser for the Smithfield Garden Club in 1954, her godfather Norman Smithwick, and an elderly Black man named Zeke, who lived with and worked for the Smithwick family. The stew, as she points out in the chapter title, included "a little of this, and a little of that"—including possum.
In celebration of that chapter in the book, the Johnston County Museum will have samples of Brunswick Stew (sans possum) from various local restaurants for tasting. Tasters will be encouraged to vote for their favorite.
The Johnston County Museum is located at 329 E. Market Street in downtown Smithfield. Museum hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. The event is open to the public. For more information, call the Johnston County Heritage Center, 919-934-2836, or the Johnston County Museum, 919-938-5912.
America 250: About Johnston County’s Journey in the American Story
Visit the America 250 website.
In 2026, the United States will mark a monumental milestone: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This semi-quincentennial, known as America 250, is more than just a celebration of our nation's birth in 1776; it is a multi-year commemoration of 250 years of American history, culture, and innovation.
It is a time to reflect on the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—ideals that were radical in their time and continue to inspire and unite us today. America 250 encourages all Americans to look back at our shared past, celebrate our present achievements, and look forward to a promising future.
The Tar Heel State’s Revolutionary Role
North Carolina played a vital and courageous role in the American Revolution. We were the first colony to explicitly instruct our delegates to vote for independence through the Halifax Resolves on April 12, 1776, a full two months before the national Declaration was signed. From the foothills to the coast, North Carolinians were active in both political debate and military action.
Johnston County: At the Crossroads of Liberty
While there were no major battles fought within Johnston County during the Revolutionary War, our county was a critical political, logistical, and human crossroads for the Patriot cause. Formed in 1746 and named for Royal overnor Gabriel Johnston, our county’s identity was reshaped by the turbulent years leading to independence.
A Political Hub
The county courthouse in Smithfield, established at Smith’s Ferry on the Neuse River, became a vital meeting place. In October 1775, independent North Carolina’s Provincial Council—the temporary executive body governing the colony—held its first meeting there, coordinating early military strategy. The town of Smithfield was officially chartered shortly after, in 1777. The N.C. General Assembly also recognized our central location, meeting in Smithfield multiple times during the war, including in May 1779.
Notable Johnstonians of the Era
The story of our county is told through the people who lived here.
Colonel John Hinton (and his son, Major John Hinton, Jr.) were prominent planters and military officers who served with great distinction. While John Hinton, Jr.’s home, Clay-Hill-on-the-Neuse, was originally in Johnston County, it became part of Wake County in 1771 when it was formed. The younger Hinton fought bravely with the Wake militia at the pivotal Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in 1776.
Archibald Artis was a free "mulatto" and free-born Patriot who served in the Wilmington District militia during the war. He is a powerful example of the diverse group of individuals who risked their lives for the promise of liberty.
The Liberty Tree
In a living tribute to the spirit of the Revolution, Johnston County will plant a "liberty tree" on the grounds of JCC's Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility in Four Oaks. This tree will serve as a permanent marker of our 250th commemoration and our enduring commitment to the environment and future generations.
Celebrate With Us: Our America 250 Commemoration
The official Johnston County America 250 Committee, chaired by Allison Elsee, has curated a diverse year of programming for residents and visitors. We invite you to join us in honoring our past and celebrating our community. Find the events on the America 250 website homepage.
Todd Johnson Named 2025 Main Street Champion for Smithfield
Screening of "American Coup: Wilmington, 1898" explores history of massacre and insurrection
The Black History Committee of the Johnston County Heritage Commission, in partnership with PBS North Carolina and Working Films, invite community members to a free screening of American Coup: Wilmington 1898.
The film shares the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina's largest city, Wilmington, in 1898. The screening is part of a statewide effort to share the story of the massacre, its place in US history, and its lasting impact.
A screening of the early portion of American Coup: Wilmington 1898 and a panel discussion will run from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on February 26 at the Smithfield Performing Arts Center, Downtown Smithfield’s former movie theater, at 141 S. Third Street. A follow-up screening and discussion will take place the following Thursday, March 5, 7 pm, in the Johnston County Museum, located at 329 E. Market Street. Light refreshments will be served at both events.
American Coup: Wilmington 1898 documents the story of the only successful coup d’état in the history of the US. Stoking fears of “Negro Rule,” self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington’s democratically-elected, multi-racial government. Black residents were murdered and thousands were banished. The story of what happened in Wilmington was suppressed for decades until descendants and scholars began to investigate. Today, many of those descendants — Black and White — seek the truth about this intentionally buried history.
“American Coup: Wilmington 1898 is a cautionary tale about a breakdown of a cornerstone of our democracy: fair and free elections,” says Rachel Raney, PBS North Carolina’s Director of National Productions and co-executive producer of the film. “When we started researching these events in Wilmington, we quickly discovered that many North Carolinians are not aware of this important history, in part because it was intentionally buried. The more we learned, the more it became clear that all Americans need to know what happened.”
There are several Johnston County connections to the story. Alexander Manly (1866-1944), an African American newspaper editor who was a primary target of coup organizers, was a Raleigh native who grew up near Selma. His brother John lived near Kenly, and his nephew Henry Manly was custodian at Meadow and Kenly schools prior to World War II.
Another local connection is Dr. Crystal Sanders, an Emory University professor who grew up in Clayton, is one
of several scholars narrating the story. “We are honored to have Earl Ijames, Curator of African American History at the North Carolina Museum of History, along with Eugenia Ijames and Dr. Christopher Wyckoff from the Johnston County Career and Technical Leadership Academy, to lead our discussion after the screening,” said Denise Joyner, who will serve as moderator.
More details about the documentary and educational resources can be found at https://www.pbsnc.org/watch/american-coup-wilmington-1898.
Contact:
Todd Johnson, 919-934-2836, heritagecenter@johnstonnc.gov
Alexander Manly
Alexander Manly's news office, recently destroyed
Historic Preservation Seminars at Johnston County Museum
Preservation Johnston County, Inc., is sponsoring two historic preservation seminars this month in the Johnston County Museum, located at 329 E. Market Street, Smithfield. On Tuesday, January 20, at 7 pm, Jeff Adolphsen from the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office will speak about topics such as historic rehabilitation tax credits, how to determine if a building is historic, how to apply for historic designation, and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation of historic buildings.
Adolphsen is a native of Maryland and has worked with the state preservation office since 1990. He is restoration specialist for the Southeast region of the state, including Johnston County. He authored the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Landscape Management Plan and is responsible for providing technical assistance and support to individuals involved in rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties.
On Thursday, January 29, also at 7 pm, Cathleen Turner from Preservation NC will be on hand to talk about the work of her organization in protecting historic properties through legal covenants and easements. PNC has also rescued endangered historic properties by purchasing them and finding purchasers willing and able to invest in rehabilitating them.
Turner is Director of Preservation North Carolina’s Piedmont Regional Office where she promotes and advocates for the preservation of historic structures and sites across 31 counties. Her work has focused on the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, cultural heritage tourism, historic site management, planning and policy.
Preservation Johnston County, a nonprofit organization, was formed in 2023. Its Board of Directors is made up of individuals from across the county who are passionate about preserving and protecting Johnston County’s treasured historic buildings, sites, and abandoned cemeteries.
The seminars, made possible by a grant from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Board Chairman Todd Johnson at 919-720-8605 or todd.johnson@johnstonnc.gov.
Jeff Adolphsen
Cathleen Turner
Johnston County Literary and Historical Journal Published
The Johnston County Heritage Center recently published a second edition of the Johnston County Literary and Historical Journal. The book includes contributions by 22 writers. It is on sale in the Johnston County Museum for $30.
View the press release: Johnston County Literary and Historical Journal Published
Videos of Special Events
Videos of our most recent Ghost Walks, Black History program, Patrons' Gala, and Historical Marker unveiling ceremonies are available for viewing on the Heritage Center Video Library page, the Heritage Center YouTube channel or the Johnston County YouTube channel.
Donations are needed and greatly appreciated to offset costs of putting on these events. You may give online by clicking "DONATE" at the bottom of any page or here: Make a Donation via Paypal.
Annual Reports
Newsletters were replaced with the Annual Reports in 2023
Pre-2023 Newsletters
Newsletters through 2022 are in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) and can be downloaded using the links below.
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Page last updated: April 15, 2026
