15-02-2025
Explore Wilmington's 1898 history at free screening, discussion in Elizabeth City
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) – On Tuesday, Feb. 25, educators and community members in Elizabeth City have a unique opportunity to uncover a crucial but often overlooked chapter of American history.
The is hosting a free screening of American Coup: Wilmington 1898, a documentary that reveals the dark story of the only successful coup d'etat in U.S. history.
The screening, set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the museum's Gaither Auditorium, is part of a statewide initiative led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, PBS North Carolina, and Working Films to bring attention to the 1898 Wilmington massacre.
This pivotal chapter of North Carolina's history tells the story of a violent, racially charged insurrection that overthrew Wilmington's democratically-elected, multi-racial government. White supremacists used terror to erase Black political and economic power, resulting in murders and forced exile. chronicles the lives affected by the tragedy and the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth.
'American Coup: Wilmington 1898 is a cautionary tale about a breakdown of a cornerstone of our democracy: fair and free elections,' said Rachel Raney, PBS North Carolina's director of national productions and co-executive producer of the film. 'When we started researching these events in Wilmington, we quickly discovered that many North Carolinians are not aware of this important history, in part because it was intentionally buried. The more we learned, the more it became clear that all Americans need to know what happened.'
Following the screening, a panel discussion with historians from Elizabeth City State University, including Dr. Glen Bowman, Dr. Latif Tarik, Dr. Tomiko Ballentyne, and historian LeRae Umfleet, will offer a deeper look into the film's historical context.
Kim Jones, North Carolina's 2024 Teacher of the Year, will also share educational resources to help teachers incorporate the story of Wilmington 1898 into their lessons, including a virtual 'Community of Practice' for ongoing support.
The event begins at 5 p.m. with refreshments, followed by the screening and discussion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the event, documentary, and educational resources, visit the event's official page.
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