For its educational program that brings history to life for students in New Hanover County Schools.
About the Award
Each year, Preservation North Carolina presents the Gertrude S. Carraway Awards of Merit to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting historic preservation.
The awards have been given since 1975 and are named for the late Dr. Gertrude Carraway of New Bern, a leader in the successful effort to reconstruct the state's colonial capitol, Tryon Palace, in New Bern.
Tar Heels Go Walking is an exciting partnership between the Historic Wilmington Foundation and the New Hanover County Schools. Beginning last September, Historic Wilmington began collaboration with the schools to bring more history, historic preservation, architecture and cultural awareness into the lives of third graders.
The Foundation worked with Travis Mathews, the school system’s lead teacher for social studies and foreign languages, and Julia Yannetti, a graduate student in UNCW’s Public History program, to create the Tar Heel’s guided tour.
The Tar Heels’ four-hour field trip includes visits and presentations at the Fire Department, the historic County Courthouse, and Thalian Hall. Also, the students tour the downtown public library and get an introduction to the children’s library as well as hear a story from a librarian. The final visit is a walk through the lobby of the U.S. Post Office.
The guides carry 12-by-18-inch laminated photograph boards to illustrate historic views of the city during the tour. The result is that third graders gain knowledge and garner a whole new appreciation for their city to share with their friends and family.
Historic Wilmington Foundation Executive Director George Edwards first approached the school’s instructional services staff two years ago with the idea of collaborating with the school system to introduce elementary age students to historic preservation and the built environment.
The response from children, teachers, school administrators and parents who have taken the tour has been overwhelming.
