“Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory” Civil War Exhibit at Fontana Regional Library

RALEIGH – Heroic tales and valiant feats are depicted in images that reflect North Carolina’s dedication to the war in the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory:Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit” (www.nccivilwar150.com). Fontana Regional Library in Macon is hosting the exhibit through May 29, sharing images and stories that capture the history and people of the Civil War (1861-1865).

“The Civil War was the first war widely covered with photography. TheFreedom, Sacrifice, Memory exhibit provides images of historic figures, artifacts, and documents that brought the reality of the war from the battlefront to the home front, then and now,” explains Deputy Secretary Dr. Jeffrey Crow of the N. C. Department of Cultural Resources.

The exhibit will display 24 images from the State Archives (www.archives.ncdcr.gov), the N.C. Museum of History (www.ncmuseumofhistory.org) and State Historic Sites (www.nchistoricsites.org). Between April 2011 and May 2013, 50 libraries will showcase “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory” offering visuals that present gallant women, African American triumph and the perseverance of Confederate soldiers. A notebook will accompany the exhibit with further information and seeking viewer comments.

One of the images is a photograph of Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow, who was an imprisoned along with her daughter. Greenhow was released after a few months, and later died after a blockade runner she was aboard ran aground. While attempting escape in a small rowboat that capsized, she was weighed down by gold she was attempting to smuggle to Southern forces and drown in the surf.

The unique exhibit will share the history from regions of North Carolina, including the western mountains, to educate viewers about the hardships North Carolinians faced during this pivotal time in United States history.

For information on the exhibit call (828) 488-2382. For tour information visitwww.nccivilwar150.com or call (919) 807-7389. The N.C. Museum of History, State Archives, and State Historic Sites are divisions of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.