NEWS

N.C.’s Gold Rush heritage topic of March 17 speech in North Wilkesboro

CHAPEL HILL -- Neil Fulghum, keeper of the North Carolina Collection Gallery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will speak about the nation’s first gold rush – in North Carolina, not California – at 6:30 p.m. March 17 in North Wilkesboro.

The free public talk will be at the Wilkes County Public Library, 215 10^th St. For more information, call (336) 838-2818.

The gold rush in the Old North State began early in the 19th century, when a Cabarrus County boy found a 17-pound gold nugget on his family’s farm. At first, the family didn't know the shiny stone was a treasure. But by 1830, North Carolina was home to no fewer than 56 gold mines, including one on that very farm.

Fulghum researches, arranges and explains exhibits in the display area of the North Carolina Collection, an extensive array of documents on the state at UNC's Wilson Library. He also has researched and designed exhibits at the N.C. Museum of History and the N.C. Division of Archives and History. He is president of the N.C. Museums Council.

The talk was arranged by Carolina Speakers at UNC, a statewide outreach program. Since 1993, the program has brought more than 90 faculty members to business, civic and community groups. The

speakers share their expertise on more than 150 topics, including 46 on North Carolina and the South.

For more information or to schedule a Carolina Speaker, contact Sandy Roberts at 919-962-1993 or sandy_roberts@unc.edu, or visit the Carolina Speakers web site at www.unc.edu/depts/uncspeak.

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Contact: Sandy Roberts, 919-962-1993