Wayne County history on display at museum
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on August 24, 2011 1:46 PM
Velda Howell remembers heading to Central Lunch in the 1960s and 1970s where her mother, Alice Smith, worked as a waitress like it was yesterday.
She recalls the salad she would often order, the specials on the menu and the taste of cool iced tea at the diner where Goldsboro's elite gathered for lunch to talk about the happenings around town and the world.
Her memories include the cooks and the regulars and all of the hustle and bustle around the shop on Center Street, and now, thanks to the Wayne County Museum, her memories can live forever through the museum's new Memory Lane exhibit.
A temporary exhibit running through late October, Memory Lane chronicles the booming times of Goldsboro between the 1880s and 1950s and has special memory walls for those who have stories to tell of days gone by in the city, like Mrs. Howell's.
Museum Director Terry Williams said the Memory Lane exhibit, which was largely the brainchild of Assistant Director Chris Lawson, has allowed the museum to bring out some of its collection that has been kept in storage.
"Easily 90 percent of this is usually not on display," Ms. Williams said, adding that the exhibit features artifacts and photos from the history of municipalities across the county, including Pikeville and Mount Olive.
Old newspaper clippings show the contemporary report of items from Wayne County's history and other artifacts, including vintage clothing and cameras give visitors a window into what life in Wayne County was like in the past.
Those itching for even more Wayne County history can look forward to the exhibit's accompaning lecture series, which will feature speakers detailing the county's history.
For a list of speakers, contact the museum at 734-5023 or look in the local news calendar in the News-Argus.
The Wayne County Museum is at the corner of Mulberry and William streets and is open Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. or by appointment.