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2021 Brick Sales are Now Closed

2021 Brick Sales are Now Closed

We are pleased to announce that we sold 150 bricks this year thanks to the efforts of the Brick team: Mary Ellen Watts Poole and Dawn Drabble.  As you might expect, many of the bricks commemorated loved ones who had passed away. But others marked major life events like weddings, anniversaries, home purchases, new jobs and retirement. A few commemorated individuals from Southport’s historic past like Anna Clemmons, a Southport suffragist who worked for the rights of Black women to vote, and Anna Davis, the first woman in Brunswick County to register to vote. And some bricks simply celebrated the joy that comes with living in Southport.   

We look forward to sharing all of these bricks with you this Spring when they are installed near Fort Johnston. We will be hosting a celebration in May – we look forward to seeing you then!

Bob Surridge named to Advisory Board for North Carolina Federation of Historical Societies

Bob Surridge named to Advisory Board for North Carolina Federation of Historical Societies

Robert W.  Surridge, D. Ed., has been selected to serve on the Advisory Board of the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies. Surridge has been the President of the Southport Historical Society (SHS) since August 2019.
During much of the past two years, the Society’s two museum spaces:  Fort Johnston Museum and Visitor Center, and the Old Brunswick County Jail were closed to the public due to Covid-19. 
Under Surridge’s leadership, the Society pivoted to online educational programs. Fifty community volunteers have presented 80 full-length 1-hour educational programs and short historical videos. 
Also due to Covid-19, SHS has also been unable to hold its largest fundraiser, the Christmas Home Tour, for the past two years. Surridge compensated by increasing the focus on Commemorative Brick Sales, grants, and individual donations.
The result is that during Surridge’s term the society has grown from 240 to nearly 400 members and the organization is well-positioned for the future. It’s certain that Dr. Surridge will be a valuable asset to the statewide Federation’s Advisory Board as well. 
2021 Albert Ray Newsome Award

2021 Albert Ray Newsome Award

Southport Historical Society was honored to be awarded the 2021 Albert Ray Newsom Award for Excellence in Local History from the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies. This award was presented in recognition of the extensive online programming that we did during the pandemic. 

Of course, it was only  made possible by the 50 presenters from the community who volunteered their time, talent, and expertise to share with the community. So thank you all for your participation. 

Carol Bailey, Adrienne Berney, Desiree Bridge, Jennie Bryan, Stuart Callari, Patt Carney, Nancy Christianson, Charles Christianson, Annette Clemmons, Norma Eckard, Paul Fisher, Liz Fuller, Bill Furpless, Cathy Furpless, Travis Gilbert, McAllie Givens, Caren Gordon, Alexis Gore Graves, Joyce Grazetti, La Verna Hargrave, Ginger Harper, Tommy Harrelson, Katherine Huffham, Shirley Johnston, Donnie Joyner, John Keifer, Pat Kirkman, Evelyn Lee, Barbara Lemos, Scott Len, Joe Loughlin, Kathy Joyner Maland, Claire McNaught, Libby Walton Merritt, Debbie Mollycheck, Aywanna Moore, Juli Newton, Alexander Patterson, Bruce Pennington, Mary Ellen Watts Poole, Mike Powell, Elizabeth Pratt, Linda Pukenas, Rick Pukenas, Syrianah Reyna, Caroline Richardson, Mike Royal, Nathan Saunders, Cindy Sellers, Steve Simon, Karen Sphar, Musette Steck, Bob Surridge, Maria Swenson, Lena Tobler, Mary Washington, Wendell Watson, Trudy Young.

(We tried to remember everyone – but if we left your name out – please let us know!!)