May Day at the Museum

May 5^th, 2012 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

While there are no records indicating when the May Day and Maypole tradition was first embraced by Mebane, we’ve ample documentation that it was a popular annual tradition for school-aged children throughout the first half of the 20^th century. Mebane’s grand May Day celebrations ended sometime in the mid-1960’s, leaving behind programs, photos, costumes, and memories that spoke of another time.

The Mebane Historical Museum is reviving this tradition with May Day at the Museum on May 5^th, 2012 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. This free, fun-filled, family friendly day will feature games and activities that children of Mebane enjoyed in years gone by. Maypoles will be erected and local school children will participate in the ancient choreographed art of wrapping the Maypole with ribbons.

Northern and central European May Day celebrations pre-date Christianity and have morphed and evolved into joyous seasonal community celebrations that are still found readily today. North Carolina historians speculate that when the German populations of Pennsylvania and the Shenandoah Valley moved south into the Haw River region, they brought the tradition with them. May Day merriments are still found all across the United States, though mostly in European centric communities.

The Mebane Methodist church played an important role in 20^th century versions as the church’s kindergarten classes performed costumed programs prior to wrapping the pole. Mebane High School students crowned May Day Kings and Queens at annual spring dances and festively attired teens festooned Maypoles with ribbons. West End Elementary, formally known as the Mebane Negro/Colored School, suspended formal learning for May Day activities, which included wrapping the Maypole. The Museum is delighted to be reviving such a cherished tradition by presenting it to the community.

May Day at the Museum will take place at the Mebane Historical Museum on Saturday, May 5^th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., rain or shine. Free for the whole family, this event has something for all ages. For more information call 919-563-5054

First ever, a pictorial history of Mebane, NC.

New from Arcadia Press

Images of America: Mebane is a visual journey through the history of a town that has long been regarded by its citizens as “the biggest little town on earth.” From its modest beginnings in 1809 as a stagecoach stop. Inn and post office, it has recently developed into one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina. Mebane has a long connection to the railroad, a legacy as one of the major tobacco markets in the state, and a history as a major manufacturing and shopping center. Over many decades, ordinary people and forward-looking leaders fostered the town’s growth by establishing businesses, industries, good schools, a public library, various recreation facilities and other opportunities and services. The construction of Interstates 85 and 40 brought many changes while linking Mebane more closely to the outside world and making it even more attractive place to work and live.

Mebane native and retired college history instructor J. Ronald Oakley used many photographs from the Mebane Historical Museum and local citizens in creating Images of America: Mebane. Oakley is president of the Mebane Historical Society and author of three books and numerous articles.

Now available for $21.99 + tax at the Mebane Historical Museum during regular hours of operation.

Also available by mailing a check in the amount of $23.47 to:
   Mebane Historical Society
   PO Box 1541
   Mebane, NC. 27302

Click the "PayPal" image to purchase online.
$21.99 + tax / ($2.00 shipping for on-line orders )

Meet the Author Tea & Book Signing
Sunday, March 4, 2012   2–4 p.m.
Mebane Historical Museum
Lower level Milton McDade Meeting room