Carolina Comments: 19th century Oberlin & Treasures from the Nile

RECENT READING: BLACK WOMEN PIONEERS AT OBERLIN

The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller

Author Miller (ourstate.com)

In her latest historical novel, The Ladies Hall, Vanessa Miller chronicles the college years of three Black women who enrolled at Oberlin College in 1880.  Oberlin was one of the earliest colleges to accept Black students along with women.  Most women students then did the two-year program, but these women signed on for the 4-year “gentlemen’s course” which ended with a bachelor’s degree.  

Both Mary Church and Ida Hall came from wealthy backgrounds, while Anna Cooper was a widow and a schoolteacher from Raleigh who had been born into slavery.  They were the only Black women in their class and were frequently dismissed as less than, taunted, and just shunned in some situations.  Initially, Mary and Anna’s wildly different backgrounds meant that they had little common ground and seemed to be at cross purposes.  Over time, they, along with ida, became strong friends.  

The novel focuses on Mary and Anna, but all three were ambitious and determined and strived not only for personal excellence, but to somehow demonstrate that they should be treated fairly and seen as equals to the white students.  It’s an invigorating account of struggle and achievement against great odds. The epilogue and an afterword showcase their many individual accomplishments toward greater equality and recognition. 

 The title, The Ladies Hall, refers to the dormitory for women where two of them lived.  Mary Church died in 1954 at the age of 90 or 91, while Anna Cooper lived to be 105 and died in 1964!  Cooper earned her PhD and was a lifelong educator and activist for equal rights.

For more about Vanessa Miller’s works, check out this article in the North Carolina state magazine.  (~JWFarrington)

NOTEWORTHY EXHIBIT

Lion, Wall inlay on a Tomb

Ancient Nubia (North Carolina Museum of Art)

Last week, I happened to be at the North Carolina Museum of Art on preview day for this new exhibit, Ancient Nubia.  I had never heard of Nubia before, but this historic civilization was located in the S curve of the Nile River, sort of between Egypt and Sudan.  Developed and curated by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, it includes artifacts and other materials from early 20th century expeditions and excavations from the tombs of the Kingdom of Kush.   

Here are a few more images.  

Ram statuette of sandstone, 500-300 BCE

One of the most important gods of that time was Amun, who appeared as a ram; some Kushite temples at that time were dedicated to Amun.

A viceroy and his wife, ca. 1184-1153 BCE
Large alabastron jug, 743-712 BCE
Entrance, Tomb of King Tanwetamani

Being able to walk into the recreation of a king’s tomb and experience the quiet and its art-decorated walls was a highlight of the exhibit for me. The exhibit runs until early January 2027 and is definitely worth a visit.

Note: Unattributed photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)

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Carolina Comments: Reading, Eating, Watching

COMPELLING 9-11 NOVEL

Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult

Picoult (tvinsider.com)

Anyone who has read a novel by Jodi Picoult knows that this author likes to tackle big issues, generally societal or medical ones.  Her latest book, Hollow Bones, is no exception and packs a big punch.  It is compelling, tough to read at points, and yet remarkably humane.  There is much I could say about it, but it is risky to give too much away, so I will stick to more general info to avoid spoilers.

In the present day, Molly Fitzgerald is the young head of the Emergency Preparedness Department for the state of Rhode Island.  She lost her mother, Eloise, on 9-11, but is happily married to Jesse, a police detective 15 years her senior.  Devoted to her job, Molly is surprised by an unplanned pregnancy which brings up memories and reflections on her childhood.  Her father and her mother’s best friend Evie raised her.

Picoult skillfully resurrects the events of September 11 in a story that deals with grief, loss, lies, friendship, love in several guises, and how one moves forward.  The novel is related in separate sections by Molly, Jesse, and Eloise, going back and forth in time.  The characters are richly drawn and complex, and while one might question the aptness or neatness of a detail here and there, it all hangs together and is ultimately a satisfying read.  I’m finding that these characters have stayed with me and likely will for some time.  Highly recommended!

LUNCH OUT

Shinmai Kumo (Cary)

Shinmai Kumo is a relatively new Japanese Italian restaurant and the second location in Cary.  Yes, that’s Japanese cuisine with an Italian twist.  It sounds strange, but it works, and the food is good to very good.  

The Chief Penguin and I were there with a group.  We sampled a wide range of dishes. There was miso soup (excellent, he said) and miso soup with clams; a curly noodle dish with chicken, cabbage and carrots; a flatbread with avocado and eel; smoked salmon carbonara; tagliatelle with tonkatsu pork in tomato meat sauce, and Japanese vegetable croquettes.  

In addition, the menu includes some tempting-sounding salads and sandwiches.  Lots to choose from with friendly service. Several of us were already contemplating a return visit!

SERIES UPDATE

East of Eden (Netflix)

Charles, Adam, & Cathy (joblo.com)

I was hasty in my earlier comments on this new production of East of Eden.  We have now watched five of the seven episodes, and overall, it’s powerful and very well done.  The characters are boldly drawn, sometimes searingly so. 

Adam Trask leaves the family farm to his half brother Charles and heads to California with his reluctant wife Cathy in tow.  With no real plans, he develops a friendship with Sam Hamilton, an older man.  After Cathy leaves, Sam continues to be helpful, while occasionally delivering blunt advice to Adam.  Bereft and aimless, Adam is mostly not present to his twin boys Cal and Aron.  He relies on and just expects Lee, his hired man of many talents, to feed and care for them while also running the household.  What the future holds for this mixed-up family group is yet to be revealed.  Recommended!

Bethlehem: Town & Gown et al

MORAVIANS –TUCKED IN

As one wanders the quiet streets of historic north Bethlehem, the Central Moravian Church and the residences for the sisters and brethren are a presence prominently on view.  Go down to the Colonial Industrial Quarter behind Hotel Bethlehem, and you will discover a somewhat hidden creekside park.

Monocacy Creek

Take a narrow alleyway off Main Street, and you may find yourself tucked in midst the buildings of Moravian University.  (In our day, it was Moravian College with its main north campus a mile away.)

Building on downtown Moravian University campus

Here we explored the downtown Priscilla Payne Hurd (south) Campus and learned some things we did not know.  First off, Moravian University was founded in 1742 (very soon after Bethlehem itself) and claims to be the first college to educate women.  It’s also a part of the recently designated World Heritage Moravian Church Settlements.  

The Chief Penguin and I knew Prill Hurd, an active local philanthropist, and for me an occasional lunch date at the country club.  She was smart, gracious, forceful when needed, but didn’t suffer fools.  I always enjoyed her company.  

Choir offices nestled behind Main Street

Also set back behind Main Street is the office of the Bach Choir. Bethlehem’s Bach Choir is noted and venerable and annually presented a series of spring concerts in the Lehigh church. Recently, the choir was the subject of an article in the Financial Times which stated that despite differing views, the singers leave their politics at the door.

LEHIGH ON THE MOUNTAIN

Lehigh campus in the distance from downtown

Lehigh University was founded in 1865 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Asa Packer.  

Standing with Asa Packer in front of Alumni Hall

Across the Lehigh River from Moravian Bethlehem, Lehigh sits on the side of a mountain.  Living here, it helps to be part mountain goat as the terrain is steep and everywhere, there are steps and stairs to climb.

Staircase adjacent to Lehigh’s business school

Last week, the Chief Penguin and I cheered on the football team and walked a lot of the campus.  When we arrived in 1998, town and gown were not close or well-integrated.  Physically, an empty macadam parking circle and drop-off area were between Lehigh and the Southside business district.  Like a moat separating the two, he declared, and as president, he worked to change that.  Over the next couple years, Campus Square was constructed.  

It’s a residence hall for students, but equally important, a retail center with the campus bookstore and several restaurants including the beloved local ice cream shop, The Cup.  The Chief Penguin also initiated regular breakfasts with the mayor and invited the members of city council to the President’s House.  Gradually, the breech between gown and town lessened.  

In a reflection of the times, the bookstore is now the Lehigh Store

In 2015, Campus Square was renamed and dedicated as Farrington Square in honor of the president and me. This visit, we were in Farrington Square during the weekly farmer’s market.  Students lined up for coffee and sweet treats, while townspeople checked out the local produce. Nearby tables offered a place to sit.

We also toured the current exhibits at the Lehigh University Art Galleries, “This Land: Reimagining the United States of America on its 250th Anniversary,” and an impressive study by a Lehigh student about the color and chemistry of ceramic bowls and vases in the collection.  

On our last night, we had dinner at the President’s House with the current president and his wife.  We were warmly welcomed, and it was a treat to see again the beautiful spaces we inhabited for 8 years.  Memories of events and good times flooded back.

WATCHING

East of Eden (Netflix)

Charles cutting Adam’s hair (ew.com)

John Steinbeck’s novel, East of Eden, was published in 1952, and a movie version made in 1955 starred James Dean as Cal and Raymond Massey as their father.  This new 7-part East of Eden series is based on the book, but it gives the manipulative Cathy a bigger role.  It’s a story of the Trask family, half-brothers Charles and Adam and their descendants, inspired by the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. 

We have watched the first two episodes of the series.  I never read the book, but I’m finding the series dark and brutal and am waiting to see how it all plays out.  We will continue watching so, I’ll hold back on a recommendation for now. 

Note: Unattributed photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)

More Bethlehem: Steel Mill to Casino

STEELSTACKS

Bethlehem Steel, with roots in two earlier companies, was founded in 1899 and only ceased production here in 1995.  The company had plants and subsidiaries around the world. Bethlehem Steel produced the steel for the Empire State Building and its west coast subsidiary manufactured the steel and did most of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge .

Around 31,000 people worked here in this Lehigh Valley plant at its peak in the mid 1950s. When the day shift ended, traffic back-ups on Southside Bethlehem streets were the norm.  Lehigh University timed some events and classes to avoid the traffic.

Since the company’s beginnings, blast furnaces and hulking structures have dominated Bethlehem’s skyline near the river.  During production, the smell of sulfur (like rotten eggs) filled the air along with coal smoke; soot and red iron ore dust often settled on cars and swimming pools. Fortunately, when the Chief Penguin and I arrived in 1998, the air was clear!

In the early 2000s, locals and developers were interested in making something of the remains of this extensive site and first created SteelStacks.  This 10-acre site is a cultural and event space offering concerts and shows and is home to ArtsQuest (performing arts center, cinema, restaurant) an ice rink, an outdoor amphitheater, and the Hoover Mason Trestle (a public skywalk). Also on the site is the long-planned National Museum of Industrial History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian which opened in 2016. 

In 2015, the CP and I walked the impressive Hoover Mason Trestle for a lesson in steel production. (See images above and below.)

When we lived in Bethlehem, ArtsQuest was just the Banana Factory on West 3rd Street with programs and studio space for local artists. That building is now gone, and a new 5-story one, the ArtsQuest Creative Factory, is under construction and slated to open by early 2027.

ONWARD TO A CASINO

At about the same time (early 2000s), developers proposed the addition of a casino with restaurants, shops, and a hotel.  Some locals were opposed to having a gambling venue here, not that far from the university.  Others in the community saw the economic benefits of this project in creating jobs and attracting visitors.  The Chief Penguin, then the Lehigh University president, was urged by some to publicly oppose the casino.  He did not. 

In 2009, Sands Casino opened in Bethlehem and its hotel in 2011.  In 2019, another corporation bought the casino and re-branded it as Wind Creek Bethlehem which is its name today.

The only casino I had ever been in was a small one on a cruise ship.  We walked through it on our way to a dining venue.  Given all the development that had taken place at SteelStacks, it seemed appropriate that we satisfy our curiosity and check out the casino complex. 

Lunch at Wind Creek

I made a reservation at Urban Table for lunch and off we went to find Wind Creek.  Lots of cars were in the parking lot, and it was not clear where to find the restaurant.  We entered the events building, took the escalator up, and were greeted by a raft of outlet stores.  Seeing no signs, I called the restaurant and got directions.  Continue through the stores, get to the casino entrance, turn left, and watch for Urban Table signs.  We found it! 

We had a delightful waiter from New Jersey, who likes and studies foreign languages, and a tasty lunch.  I enjoyed a delicious thick tomato bisque with croutons, and the CP had corn and crab chowder to start. We shared a Caesar salad and an order of beef empanadas.  The food exceeded our expectations. 

Casino entrance

We had no intention of entering the casino. But, from behind the low barrier, we could see how many people were there (quite a few) and note bright screen after bright screen and several rows of slot machines. It’s an expansive space and dark, lit mainly by the screens and colored lights above and around.

Slots and screens
Casino screens galore
Around the casino

After taking a few photos, we departed, driving through SteelStacks on our way back to historic Main Street. Curiosity satisfied. No need to return to gamble.

Note: Photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)