Old Independence Regional Museum has rescheduled the Home School Day entitled “Lasting Legacy” for Monday, March 16, 2015.  This day will spotlight some of the stories of slaves, soldiers, freemen, farmers, ministers, and business owners that lived in the Old Independence region.  This program is designed for mid-level students but is open to any age/grade level.  The cost for the program is $5 per student; registration is limited to the first 50 registrants and is required by Monday, March 9, 2015.

Students will become familiar with the story of Adam and Violet Lewis.  Adam was a native of Independence County and a freeman.  He was employed as a blacksmith by Edwin Burr during the early 1860s.   Violet Lewis was enslaved and the property of Charles Moore.  Because Violet, being enslaved, could not formally make a contract, Charles Moore “rented” her to be the wife of Adam Lewis for $68 per year.  From the home she made with Adam Lewis, Violet operated a bake shop, which was a favorite gathering place for some of the young ladies from prominent Batesville families.  Students will be able to sample baked goods from recipes of the time period, similar to what Violet may have sold in her bake shop.

Students will also learn about Caroline Tracy Dye a former slave who became a successful business woman in Jackson County.  She was probably best known as a “seer” throughout the mid-south, and blues musician W.C. Handy mentioned her in his songs, “St. Louis Blues” and “Sundown Blues.”

Other stories featured will include:  Richard Gravelly, a slave who became one of the first members of the first regiment of Arkansas Colored Troops and a stonemason, and Charles Case, the first black minister registered in Batesville and Independence County Coroner.

In addition, the Underground Railroad and its movement through Arkansas will be highlighted.  Students will hear the story of an 11 year old boy who traveled on the Underground Railroad through Arkansas.

Again, the cost for this program is $5.00 per participant and space is limited to 50 participants, so be sure to register before March 9, 2015.

Old Independence serves a 12-county area:  Baxter, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Marion, Poinsett, Sharp, Stone, White, and Woodruff.  Parts of these present-day counties comprised the original Independence County in 1820s Arkansas territory.

This humanities program is made possible by local support from Independence County and the City of Batesville, as well as by Challenge Grant Endowment funding from the National Endowment of the Humanities.   Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.