THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509060173
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY REBECCA A. MYERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
WILLIAM FLORA WAS a Portsmouth-born slave who fought in the Battle of Great Bridge during the Revolutionary War. He was part of the 2nd Virginia Regiment and became a war hero after helping to hold the line against the British.
After our country won its battle for independence, Flora was granted his freedom along with 30 acres of land and a mule. The former slave eventually opened a blacksmith shop and livery stable on Middle Street.
During next weekend's Umoja Festival, a re-enactor in period costume will portray Flora on a trolley tour through Olde Towne that will highlight the city's rich African-American heritage.
In fact, at least five other re-enactors will board the trolley at various points along the route to tell the stories of James Lafayette, Matilda Sissieretta Jones, Hiram Simmons and Mary Louveste:
James Lafayette, a slave born in Norfolk County, was a Revolutionary War spy who discovered when and where the Redcoats would strike at Yorktown. After the war was over, Lafayette received his freedom and was given land and a pension by the government for service to his country.
Matilda Sissieretta Jones was a Portsmouth-born opera singer who was invited to sing at the White House in 1892 by President Benjamin Harrison. She also gave a command performance in London for the then Prince of Wales and, later, King Edward VII.
Hiram Simmons was a composer and musician who wrote music for piano and voice and made choral arrangements. Two of his compositions were published in the Baptist Standard Hymn Book: ``Around the Great White Throne'' and ``Heavenly Father Bless Us Today.'' Simmons was the organist at Emanuel AME Church for more than 30 years. He died in 1938.
Mary Louveste was a Union patriot who smuggled plans of the ironclad CSS Virginia to Washington during the Civil War. She was granted a private audience with Gideon Welles, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, who told Louveste her information confirmed other reports he had received.
The trolley tour will also include the tale of a soldier with the United States Colored Troops, organized in 1863 by Union forces. One of the U.S. Colored Cavalry units was stationed in Portsmouth, though it is not known how many were from this city.
The narrated trolley tours will depart from Portside at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sept. 16-17.
Voncille Gilbreath, of the Portsmouth Tourist and Convention Bureau, said the trolley tour was tried on a smaller scale at last year's festival.
``It's being repeated again this year because it was so successful last year,'' she said.
The trolley will stop at designated points throughout the historic district, allowing re-enactors to board and give five-minute portrayals of the characters they represent. Once a re-enactor has completed his portrayal, he will disembark and the trolley will continue on with more narrated commentary.
Along the route, the trolley will stop for a guided tour of Emanuel AME Church on North Street, which still contains the original hand-hewn pews made by slaves.
In earlier days, Emanuel played a leading role in Portsmouth's African-American community. Residents of Lincolnsville, the first African-American settlement for freed slaves in Portsmouth, would pick up their mail at the church.
The trolley will stop also at The Art Atrium, one of the largest black history centers on the East Coast. A special exhibit containing documents and artifacts from Portsmouth's African-American past will be on display, as will photographs by Portsmouth photographer Edward Brown.
The trolley's final stop before returning to Portside will be at the 1846 Courthouse, home of the community arts center, where an exhibit by artist Ken Wright, called ``Primitive Heritage,'' will be on display. Wright's paintings reflect bold and dramatic influences of the West African culture.
``The Umoja Festival is a celebration of the African American culture, and the trolley tours definitely fit within that scope,'' said Gilbreath.
``I always say it's a fun way for kids to learn about their history, she said. ``Instead of taking them down to the library to tackle the books, this is a fun way to explore their history.'' MEMO: [For a related story, see page 6 of The Currents for this date.]
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
Larry E. Gilbreath will play the role of one of the African
Americans who fought in the American Revolution.
George E. Eason Jr., from far left, Thomas Sledge, Larry Gilbreath
and Cherilyn Chaney will be among the re-enactors who will present
their characters on the trolley tour.
by CNB