Joyner Library displays Bath Tricentennial exhibit

East Carolina University’s Joyner Library is offering a chance to learn about North Carolina’s oldest town, Bath, which this month celebrates its tricentennial.
The Bath Tricentennial Exhibit observes the town’s 300-year history with maps, documents, photographs and posters, drawn from Joyner Library’s Special Collections and North Carolina Collection departments. Visitors will also have a chance to learn about Bath’s colonial heritage, various anniversary celebrations and items relating to contemporary Bath.

Seven display cases provide various themes. One case illustrates how life in Bath has changed since its inception in 1705. Another contains materials showing the impact Blackbeard and the pirates had on the town. Other cases contain materials illustrating the history of Bath’s churches and religious communities. Materials concerning Bath’s architectural history and private homes are also spotlighted.

“Our primary goal in presenting this exhibit is to support Bath’s Tricentennial celebrations and to cooperate with the Historic Bath Steering Committee in making those celebrations meaningful and educational to the ECU and Eastern North Carolina communities,” said Jonathan Dembo, head of ECU’s Special Collections and exhibit curator. “Our secondary goal is to demonstrate ECU’s and Joyner Library’s commitment to preserve eastern North Carolina history and to make those historical collections available to as wide an audience as possible.”

In addition to Dembo, graduate student Adrienne Rea conducted research for the exhibit. Rea also helped with the exhibit’s design and installation.

The exhibit runs through Aug. 31 and is open to the public Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An exhibit brochure and checklist is available to all visitors. The Special Collections Department is located on the 4th floor of Joyner Library.