The Museum of the Albemarle, part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, will host three public programs scheduled in November.
The museum will host History for Lunch: The Role of Baptisteries in Byzantine Pilgrimage Sites of the Levant at noon on Nov. 4 in the museum’s Gaither Auditorium.
Dr. Robert W. Smith, the distinguished professor of history at Mid-Atlantic Christian University, will take participants from modern baptismal practices of congregations in eastern North Carolina to Byzantine baptisteries in the Holy Land. While modern Christians in the United States may undergo multiple baptisms, "rebaptism" was a capital offense under the Law Code of the Byzantine Empire. This presentation will propose an explanation for how the baptisteries of pilgrimage facilities functioned legally in the Levant. Smith has conducted archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Abila, Jordan, since 1984, including the city’s pilgrimage complex.
The museum will offer the History for Lunch program in-person and via Zoom. To attend the lecture virtually, register in advance to receive the meeting link. Registration is not required to attend the lecture in person.
The museum will continue its November programming with Tot Time: Decked with Wood at 10 a.m. on Nov. 12. Children ages 3 to 5, accompanied by an adult, will discover the art of crafting treasures from wood in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit Crafted from Wood. The free program also includes a related storytime and hands-on activity to decorate your own Christmas ornament. Advance registration is not required.
The museum will host History for Lunch: "Forgotten Patriots of the Albemarle" on Nov. 18 at noon.
Authors Bill and Chris Barber will discuss their newest book, “Forgotten Patriots of the Albemarle.” Their research includes more than 700 profiles of Patriots from the Edenton Military District for whom documentation is available to confirm their participation in the American Revolution. Others served in the North Carolina Provincial Congress or in other political positions, while a small number provided needed goods and services for the cause. In addition, the authors explore the unique challenges faced by the people of the Edenton Military District.
The museum will offer the free History for Lunch program in-person and via Zoom. To attend the lecture virtually, register in advance to receive the meeting link. Registration is not required to attend the lecture in person.
The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 South Water St. in Elizabeth City. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the museum or its programs, visit museumofthealbemarle.com or call (252) 335-1453.
About the Museum of the Albemarle
The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 S. Water Street in Elizabeth City, NC. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and state holidays. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.