This June, Winston-Salem came together for ten extraordinary days honoring the life and legacy of Peter Oliver—craftsman, farmer, father, and eventually freedman. From reflective walks and powerful performances to scholarly insight and heartfelt storytelling, each event deepened our collective understanding of Oliver’s enduring impact—locally and nationally.
The tribute began with a deeply moving Family Remembrance Walk through Old Salem. Speakers included descendants and historians, notably Teddy Reeves, Curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Together, participants traced Oliver’s life across historic landmarks, ending in a reception that sparked shared stories and new connections.
The events continued with the Peter Oliver Symposium, which featured a keynote talk by Dr. Jon Sensbach, professor at the University of Florida, whose 1990s research laid the groundwork for today’s understanding of Oliver’s life. Other historians and panelists that participated in the symposium include Martha Hartley from Old Salem Museums &; Gardens; Mike Wakeford, MUSE Winston-Salem; Michelle Hopkins Lawrence, Salem Academy; Geoffrey Hughes, Archaeologist; Earl Ijames, North Carolina Museum of History; Sabrina Garity, Moravian Archives for the Southern Province, and George Jones a descendant of Peter Oliver.
Two evening events added emotional and artistic depth: the “Songs of Freedom” program at Home Moravian Church celebrated the hymns and spirituals from Oliver’s time period in Salem, and the Wake Forest University student film premiere, “The Life and Legacy of Peter Oliver,” brought his story to life through archival footage, expert commentary, and voices of his descendants.
The historic sites of Old Salem and Bethabara played a meaningful role in the celebration, offering guided walks and lectures that brought Peter Oliver’s story to life by showing us the places he lived and documents that recorded his life. Their contributions added rich depth and historical grounding to the week’s remembrance.
A heartfelt thank you to our community partners and everyone who collaborated with Creative Corridors to bring these ten days of remembrance—and the anniversary of Peter Oliver signing for his freedom on June 13th—vividly to life.
Coverage of the Events
WFDD:
https://www.wfdd.org/story/225-years-after-signing-his-freedom-documents-peter-oliver-celebrated-juneteenth-week-winston
Winston-Salem Journal
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mKXRu2_YCQsYMYvuUVdaX4mCwNeoLPS-/view?usp=sharing
WXII:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX4di8qm8xU
You Tube Video of Hymnals and Spirtuals Event
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzEQJT40uqc&feature=youtu.be