|
Paul Green Memorial Highway |
||||
|
Evaluations of Accomplishments |
STORY OF THE QUILT SQUARE, PAUL GREEN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, BY
CEDAR GROVE EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS CLUB FOR HARNETT COUNTY HISTORICAL
QUILT, 1989 Paul Green Memorial Highway When
the sixteen Extension Homemakers Clubs, in fall of 1989, were choosing
or, selecting the most outstanding historical building subject, or
replica in their location for their quilt square, it was a fact that
some clubs had more prospects for choice than did others. The
Cedar Grove Extension Homemakers Club, located in a section North of the
Cape Fear River near the America's Health Care Center, but across U. S.
Highway #421 South, felt there wasn't one single historical building
surrounding them for a choice. They could select their church, Cedar
Grove A.M.E. Zion, but it wasn't old enough to be a landmark, and
certainly was not one as old
as the Campbell House farther down the highway, one the Friendly Club of
Buies Creek might choose for their contribution. Suddenly,
the word landmark rang in their ears! Why a landmark could be visible
and not visible; if not visible, but of great importance, it was
generally marked by a metal marker, erected either by private interests,
a historical register, or by a highway to identify a place, a person, or
persons. Yes,
there was one, or two, near them, both standing when the quilt project
began, but they recently had been removed to permit highway expansion.
Each commemorated, perhaps, Harnett's most outstanding literary
personality, Paul Eliot Green, who, in his youth lived very nearby. They
would choose a replica of this highway marker, "Paul Green Memorial
Highway", reproduce it in the same colors for the top of their
quilt square, and add a tribute and below: "Honors: Harnett Farm
Boy, 1894 -1981, Author, "The Lost Colony", Creator Symphonic
Drama, :World Famous Playwright". This
was it, their one and only square with many a stitch! Hilda Williams, a
club member, agreed to embroider half of the inscription if Evelyn
.Byrd, Quilt Coordinator, would embroider the other half. It was
mutually agreeable, and the club's one square was embroidered and
appliquéd in the highway marker colors, green and white. .A.
framed color print of this square was presented to James R. Spence,
author and native of Harnett County, now a resident of Winter Park,
Florida, on March 22, 1991, at the County Library. Spence spoke at the
first ever observance in the world of Paul Green's birthday, (March 17,
1894), sponsored by Friends of the Harnett County Library. As
a matter of record, there is also a marker on the same highway, on the
Green farm adjoining the highway, which was placed there by Paul Green's
sister, Mary Green Johnson Mrs. Alton Johnson) that reads: Paul Eliot
Green, 1894 -1981. Birthplace of the dramatist, novelist, teacher and
humanitarian is situated 2.1 miles north. Awarded Pulitzer Prize, 1927.
Originator of the Symphonic Drama, of which he wrote 16, including
"The Lost Colony". Lifelong champion of racial equality, and
implacable foe of militarism and capital punishment. Was North
Carolina's Dramatist Laureate. Written by: Evelyn
Byrd For: Cedar Grove Extension Homemakers Club Sources of
Information: Markers on U. S. Highway #421 South Program: Friends
of Harnett County Library March 21, 1992 Quilt Square: Row
1, Number 5 Embroidery by
Hilda Williams and Evelyn Byrd Hilda Williams of Cedar Grove Extension Homemakers Club Evelyn Byrd of Summerville Extension Homemakers Club |
