Mount Airy was well-represented during the recent Tar Heel Junior Historian Association (THJHA) Annual Convention in Raleigh, including bringing home individual and group awards.
The day-long gathering at the North Carolina Museum of History featured dynamic learning experiences to help young people appreciate and understand North Carolina’s rich history.
The event also was a time to recognize junior historians for their impactful historical work on a wide array of projects.
Students and clubs from various areas of the state were recognized for outstanding exhibits submitted in Tar Heel Junior Historian Association contests.
All winning projects, which include artifacts, visual arts, photography and creative writing, will be displayed through Oct. 6 in the first-floor lobby of the museum.
Local honorees
Surry County’s 2024 Tar Heel Junior Historian Association winners represented Mount Airy Museum of Regional History.
They included James Caudill of Mount Airy, who won first place in an individual secondary division of the Exhibit and Visual Arts Contest.
That was for his submission focusing on North Carolina Granite Corp., the world’s largest open-faced granite quarry located at Flat Rock which was founded in 1889.
James’ sister, Madeline Caudill, won second place in the individual secondary division of the Exhibit and Visual Arts Contest for her submission, “Doing Their Part — Women in War.”
The local Jesse Franklin Pioneers group also took first place in the group elementary and intermediate divisions of the Exhibit and Visual Arts Contest.
This was for its submission, George Fawcett and the UFO Museum and Earnhardt Family Racing Legacy at Daytona.
The Jesse Franklin Pioneers added another first-place win in the group intermediate division of the Video Documentary Contest with their submission, “Home Town Homicides.”
That group received further recognition for its History in Action project focusing on The William Alfred Moore House, an antebellum structure on Moore Avenue.
Jennie Lowry, mother of James and Madeline Caudill, pointed out Thursday that their state history awards represent years of effort.
“James and Madeline have been involved with the Tarheel Junior Historians since fourth grade,” their mom explained.
“It has given them an opportunity to work one on one with history experts at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History on a weekly basis through the school year,” she added.
The two local youths especially enjoy the annual conference held at the state history museum in Raleigh, and competing with their individual and group projects.
“As someone who loves history, it’s so rewarding to see them researching and learning about our community and even our ancestors,” Lowry observed.
“I highly recommend the history group for students interested in history.”
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