Coming up at Bennett Place State Historic Site, an evening to reflect on a pivotal chapter in American history—the end of the Civil War and slavery in North Carolina—is the luminary program "The Promise of Peace: Slavery's End in North Carolina." According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the free public event will take place on September 20 from 7-9:30 p.m. Each of the 1,324 luminaries set to adorn the site represents 250 individuals once enslaved in the state, commemorating the 331,059 enslaved souls who bore witness to freedom's dawn with the war’s end.
Historians from across State Historic Sites will give testimonies dedicated to the enslaved people's journeys toward liberty during the program. Originally slated for April but delayed due to weather, the event has been rescheduled, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the stories while musician Shana Tucker serenades the night with instrumental music. Offering more context, the event highlights how slavery's dissolution took shape, with enslaved persons seeking refuge with U.S. forces or negotiating with their enslavers to avoid separation from their families or forced labor. Although the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln was declared on Sept. 22, 1862, it wasn't until the Confederate surrender at Bennett Place and the military enforcement thereafter that the chains of slavery were truly shattered.
Know also the soil at Bennett Place, where General Sherman and General Johnston came to terms, sent shockwaves through the Confederate ranks, leading to the largest surrender of its time. Now, the reconstructed farmsteads serve as a testament to the lives of common Southern farmers, with the Bennett Place State Historic Site located at 4409 Bennett Memorial Rd., Durham, NC.
Under the purview of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the preservation and celebration of the state's art, history, and natural beauty are paramount. Possessing stewardship over an impressive array of venues, the department’s reach extends to historic sites, museums, parks, and more, including Bennett Place State Historic Site. Each site serves as a guardian of North Carolina's rich legacy, offering residents and visitors alike a chance to borrow wisdom from yesterday, carrying its weighty promise into our collective tomorrow. Donations are encouraged during the luminary event but are not required, with weather updates available on Bennett Place or North Carolina State Historic Sites’ social media and events website.
