At the National Memorial of Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, 805 steel rectangles hang from the central plaza’s ceiling. Each the size and shape of a coffin. Each marking a different county in the United States where a lynching took place between the years of 1870 and 1950.

The memorial, the work of the Equal Justice Initiative, opened last April, and represents part of the most significant effort to address a terrible but often-avoided aspect of American history in the years following the Civil War: a wave of what the EJI calls “racial terror lynching’s” across the country.

And Orange County is no different. It has a slab in Montgomery too, commemorating the lynching of Manly McCauley in late October of 1898. McCauley was reportedly lynched at what is now the intersection of Old Highway 86 and Homestead Road.

Now, the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition, co-chaired by local NAACP vice president James Williams and Orange County Commissioner Renee Price, is working with the EJI to bring remembrance of lynching’s dark national and local history to Orange County.

This week, the remembrance coalition kicked off their efforts at a reception at the United Church of Chapel Hill. Ultimately, they want to bring Orange County’s marker in Montgomery to a resting spot in the local area. The EJI provides duplicate steel memorials to counties that engage in remembrance projects like the one the OCCRC is undertaking here.

James Williams spoke to WCHL’s Aaron Keck in December about their recent efforts to recognize the past here in Orange County. He said that history is not so far away, and it still has lessons and ties to the world we live in today.

“Now, we’re dealing with voter suppression today,” he said. “A lot of racial terror and lynchings came about as a result of that very thing. Trying to prevent black people from have access to the ballot and suppressing their constitutional right to vote. So, those legacies still have yet to be reckoned with.”

The remembrance coalition’s next event is February 2, where they will be holding a symposium at Hillsborough’s Passmore Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the legacy of lynching. There will be panel of historians and local students of history. Jacki Shelton Green, North Carolina Poet Laureate and Orange County native, will perform as well.

More details on that event, and information on the remembrance coalition, can be found by contacting Renee Price 919-619-1139 or reneeprice2012@gmail.com, or JamesWilliams at 919-819-0364 or attwill9@gmail.com.

Related Stories
‹
Local NAACP Branch To Celebrate 75th Anniversary in October
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro branch of the NAACP will celebrate its 75th anniversary in October. The branch is planning several events during that month to commemorate its founding, and announced a tentative schedule on Tuesday. On October 8, the branch will host an Umoja (the Swahili word for “unity”) Read-In, which will “celebrate the culture, cuisine […]
Orange County Commissioners Pass Anti-Hate Resolution, '400 Years' Remembrance
Hundreds Gather in Hillsborough to Support Confederate Flag
Several hundred confederate flag supporters gathered in downtown Hillsborough Saturday for a ‘Southern Heritage Ride and Rally.’ It was pitched as an educational event to learn more about the history of the flag and other Confederate memorials. WCHL’s Jess Clark was there, listen below:   Last Thursday, on the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights […]
Conversations We Need to Have: Orange County Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack
Orange County's Chief Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, August 11. They discussed recent work his office has been engaged in.
Orange, Chatham Counties Receive Expansion Funding from Great Trails State Program
Among the 37 trail development and restoration projects in the Piedmont region are trails in Orange and Chatham counties.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests, Charges Alleged Construction Material Thieves
After sharing photos of suspects in a theft investigation, the Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged them on Wednesday.
Orange County: Ongoing Flood Recovery Efforts + Uproar Festival Underway
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell for an interview Wednesday, August 6.
Latest Declaration by Gov. Stein Opens More Relief Opportunities for Orange County Flood Victims
Nearly a full month removed from Tropical Depression Chantal's significant rain and subsequent flooding, victims in Orange County and other impacted regions have a new way to seek individual relief.
Orange County Arts Community Set for Uproar Festival Despite Recent Flood Damage
Orange County's Uproar Festival of Public Art returns on Aug. 1 – and it comes as the arts community recovers from catastrophic flooding.
Orange County: Josh Stein Visits the County, Medicine Pop-Up, Repair Cafe
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, July 23, discussing county news and events. She talked about Gov. Josh Stein's visit to Orange County to survey damage from Tropical Depression Chantal. She discussed a recent medicine pop-up event, and upcoming repair cafe, the county's participation at the National Association of Counties conference, and more.
›