Confederate Memorial

Monday marked Confederate Memorial Day in both North and South Carolina. May 10 commemorates Stonewall Jackson's death in 1863 and the capture of Jefferson Davis in 1865. Five other states also officially observe Confederate Memorial Day: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. Common events on this date include services and ceremonies to place flags and wreaths on Confederate graves and memorials. This wreath was added by the UDC to the memorial on the courthouse square in downtown Newton.

The holiday is usually surrounded by controversy. What do readers think? Is Confederate Memorial Day necessary? Did you know about the ceremony?

WWII Interview Updates

The staff at the Catawba County Historical Association has been having a wonderful time interviewing local WWII veterans and their families. The stories we have the opportunity to hear have been just incredible. Their experiences and sacrifices are a debt that can never be repaid. It's an honor to be able to record their stories they've shared.

Often the most surprising aspects of the interviews are the artifacts, or as one veteran put it, the "trinkets," that they have kept over the years. Sometimes they arrive in grocery bags or shoe boxes, but what they contain are priceless glimpses into the past during a world-altering war. From souvenirs to insignia, we've seen a huge variety of pieces that the men and women have treasured. We'd like to post of few of things we've seen so far. Hope you enjoy as much as we have!