The Walker Family
r-James, John & Bernice
Front St-Wilmington-1933
l-Bernice & Earl and "The Goat"
c-Mary Lucille Walker-Age 3
r-James, John & Bernice
Front St-Wilmington-1933
l-Bernice & Earl and "The Goat"
c-Mary Lucille Walker-Age 3
February 25, 2008
MEMBERS WHO HAVE PASSED ON THAT WERE NOT ON OUR LIST LAST YEAR ARE:
DOUG BRIDGES, AMANDA FLOWERS, THOMAS GAY, VICTORIA BROWN, SHIRLEY STANLEY SMITH, AND BETTY BLANTON SMITH.
Update: February 25, 2008- OPHELIA CHERRY, LAWRENCE "CORKY" WOODCOCK and JESSIE GARRIS
Posted by:JENNINGS BLANTON
MEMBERS WHO HAVE PASSED ON THAT WERE NOT ON OUR LIST LAST YEAR ARE:
DOUG BRIDGES, AMANDA FLOWERS, THOMAS GAY, VICTORIA BROWN, SHIRLEY STANLEY SMITH, AND BETTY BLANTON SMITH.
Update: February 25, 2008- OPHELIA CHERRY, LAWRENCE "CORKY" WOODCOCK and JESSIE GARRIS
Posted by:JENNINGS BLANTON
February 25, 2008
For all members of the Delgado/Spofford Mills Association:
The 11th "Mill Hill" Annual Reunion (date unknown at this time-stay posted) The "Mill Hill Times" newsletter will be mailed on
or about May 15, 2008
NEW SUBJECT:
The bronze cast plaque mention in a posting on November 30, 2006 has been received and has been placed on the wall at the
entrance of the Mill Office Building. A sign has also been placed at the cemetery,
Posted by Jennings Blanton
For all members of the Delgado/Spofford Mills Association:
The 11th "Mill Hill" Annual Reunion (date unknown at this time-stay posted) The "Mill Hill Times" newsletter will be mailed on
or about May 15, 2008
NEW SUBJECT:
The bronze cast plaque mention in a posting on November 30, 2006 has been received and has been placed on the wall at the
entrance of the Mill Office Building. A sign has also been placed at the cemetery,
Posted by Jennings Blanton
October 4, 2007
Notice:
The 2006 edition of the Bobbin & Shuttle Magazine has been published and contains articles pertaining to our beloved "Mill
Hill." Also the 2007 edition contains an article regarding our 10th Reunion. Each member will be delighted with the articles
"The Old Dye Ditch" and Ten Years of "Welcome Home" which includes some pictures. To obtain copies ($5.00 cost which
includes mailing) contact The Textile Heritage Center, PO. Box 667, Cooleemee, NC 27014; tel. (336) 284-6040
Notice:
The 2006 edition of the Bobbin & Shuttle Magazine has been published and contains articles pertaining to our beloved "Mill
Hill." Also the 2007 edition contains an article regarding our 10th Reunion. Each member will be delighted with the articles
"The Old Dye Ditch" and Ten Years of "Welcome Home" which includes some pictures. To obtain copies ($5.00 cost which
includes mailing) contact The Textile Heritage Center, PO. Box 667, Cooleemee, NC 27014; tel. (336) 284-6040
July 26. 2006
The article appearing in the Wilmington Star News on July 12, 2006 is shown below.
The article appearing in the Wilmington Star News on July 12, 2006 is shown below.
Delgado School
Built 1914
Built 1914
Notice # 2:
RE: Cemetery & Dye Ditch. A pretty blue & white sign has been placed at the cemetery specifying that it is the Delgado Mills
Cemetery and is New Hanover County property. Further there will be no dumping of trash or waste and violators will be
prosecuted. At this time no decision was made regarding a new sign for the cemetery or the Dye Ditch. The condition of the
cemetery was very good and the best that it has been in many years. The Dye Ditch is completely covered with undergrowth.
RE: Cemetery & Dye Ditch. A pretty blue & white sign has been placed at the cemetery specifying that it is the Delgado Mills
Cemetery and is New Hanover County property. Further there will be no dumping of trash or waste and violators will be
prosecuted. At this time no decision was made regarding a new sign for the cemetery or the Dye Ditch. The condition of the
cemetery was very good and the best that it has been in many years. The Dye Ditch is completely covered with undergrowth.
News: Click Contact us and send news of interest to all members, IE. Deaths, good family
news, "Mill Hill" happenings, etc. Fill out info including comments & Submit.
news, "Mill Hill" happenings, etc. Fill out info including comments & Submit.
October 4, 2007
Delgado/Spofford Mills Association completed its 10th Annual Reunion on July 8, 2007 with more than 200 attendees present
for the occasion. A discussion was conducted in regards to electing new officers & directors, due to the advancing age of those
who have volunteered continuously for the past 10 years. There was no resolution to the situation, however several people
volunteered to help, but not necessarily to hold a specific position. Charles Bridges agreed to continue his activities pertaining
to the Elk's Lodge and other logistics. Jim & Ann Page agreed to get out a newsletter, and Jennings agreed to continue with
the administration of Name, Addresses, and other Secretarial duties to include Treasurer, perhaps an editorial in the newsletter,
etc. Alyric Ray agreed to help as did Ken Davis. We are looking for someone to grab the bull by the horn and take the
leadership.
In the meantime we will try to keep things going somehow in order that our Association doesn't falter.
The 11th Annual Reunion will be held in Wilmington, NC in June or July 2008. (Stay posted for exact date.
Delgado/Spofford Mills Association completed its 10th Annual Reunion on July 8, 2007 with more than 200 attendees present
for the occasion. A discussion was conducted in regards to electing new officers & directors, due to the advancing age of those
who have volunteered continuously for the past 10 years. There was no resolution to the situation, however several people
volunteered to help, but not necessarily to hold a specific position. Charles Bridges agreed to continue his activities pertaining
to the Elk's Lodge and other logistics. Jim & Ann Page agreed to get out a newsletter, and Jennings agreed to continue with
the administration of Name, Addresses, and other Secretarial duties to include Treasurer, perhaps an editorial in the newsletter,
etc. Alyric Ray agreed to help as did Ken Davis. We are looking for someone to grab the bull by the horn and take the
leadership.
In the meantime we will try to keep things going somehow in order that our Association doesn't falter.
The 11th Annual Reunion will be held in Wilmington, NC in June or July 2008. (Stay posted for exact date.
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Delgado/Spofford Mills Association, Wilmington, North Carolina
| July 3, 2007 Letter from Governor Mike Easley Received by Delgado/Spofford Mills Association,Congratulating Us for 10th Anniversary Reunion. Letter previously received from Mayor Bill Saffo |
| October 1, 2007 Notice The News page of our website is being updated effective February 25, 2008 Articles of special interest will be maintained for a few more months, however, due to lack of web capacity, and in order to stay current with the "NEWS" this policy will be adopted. Please do not be offended if articles of special interest to you are removed-just send us some more of your news, photos etc. Jennings Blanton, Webmaster |
October 1, 2007
On October 1, 2007 the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners issued a "Proclamation" designating the First Week of
October as "Textile Heritage Week." Jennings Blanton was requested to come and receive the "Proclamation" on behalf of
the Delgado/Spofford Mills Association. Later the exact copy of the "Proclamation" will be shown on our web site, when my
scanner is working. The Commissioners permitted Jennings to give a 5 minute presentation which was broadcast live on
Channel 13 and its area of coverage. About 25 members of our Association attended the meeting. This is the wording of the
"Proclamation".
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TEXTILE HERITAGE WEEK
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the South's Textile Industry was traditionally an essential foundation for much of our region's culture and
prosperity, and was an integral part of North Carolina's economic and social fabric in the 20th century; and
Whereas, the people of New Hanover County cherish and honor the memory of our own Delgado/Spofford Mill Textile
ancestors, whose contributions to our community were vital to the growth and stability of this area; and
WHEREAS, we seek to honor the ingenuity and labor of thousands of men, women and children who opened the cotton
bales, carded the fiber, spun the yarn, wove the cloth, shipped it to the far corners of the world and maintained the mill
village communities, while at the same time weaving a distinct cultural fabric which has embossed its influence in all aspects
of our social life including the arts, music, religion, civics, business and politics in our region; and
Whereas, we wish to publicly acknowledge, honor and commemorate those whose old fashioned "hard work" values
continue through their establishment of the Delgado/Spoffird Mills Association (www.delgadospoffordmills.com), whose
members recently celebrated their 10th reunion in August and were honored by Governor Mike Easley, in a letter of well
wishes for their continued effort as a group to keep the memory and history of such an intriguing piece of New Hanover
County alive for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners that October 1-7, 2007 be
recognized as "Textile Heritage Week" in New Hanover County, and that our citizens are called upon to celebrate the rich
history of the textile industry in North Carolina and the efforts of the Delgado/Spofford Mills Association, to help educate
and enlighten all of us on their history and contributions to our area.
ADOPTED the 1st day of October 2007
(Signed-William A. Caster)
William A. Caster, Chairman
Attest:
(Signed) Sheila L. Schult,
Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
(There were a few typographical errors in the original which I will try to get the Clerk to correct.
The above has the errors corrected.
On October 1, 2007 the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners issued a "Proclamation" designating the First Week of
October as "Textile Heritage Week." Jennings Blanton was requested to come and receive the "Proclamation" on behalf of
the Delgado/Spofford Mills Association. Later the exact copy of the "Proclamation" will be shown on our web site, when my
scanner is working. The Commissioners permitted Jennings to give a 5 minute presentation which was broadcast live on
Channel 13 and its area of coverage. About 25 members of our Association attended the meeting. This is the wording of the
"Proclamation".
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TEXTILE HERITAGE WEEK
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the South's Textile Industry was traditionally an essential foundation for much of our region's culture and
prosperity, and was an integral part of North Carolina's economic and social fabric in the 20th century; and
Whereas, the people of New Hanover County cherish and honor the memory of our own Delgado/Spofford Mill Textile
ancestors, whose contributions to our community were vital to the growth and stability of this area; and
WHEREAS, we seek to honor the ingenuity and labor of thousands of men, women and children who opened the cotton
bales, carded the fiber, spun the yarn, wove the cloth, shipped it to the far corners of the world and maintained the mill
village communities, while at the same time weaving a distinct cultural fabric which has embossed its influence in all aspects
of our social life including the arts, music, religion, civics, business and politics in our region; and
Whereas, we wish to publicly acknowledge, honor and commemorate those whose old fashioned "hard work" values
continue through their establishment of the Delgado/Spoffird Mills Association (www.delgadospoffordmills.com), whose
members recently celebrated their 10th reunion in August and were honored by Governor Mike Easley, in a letter of well
wishes for their continued effort as a group to keep the memory and history of such an intriguing piece of New Hanover
County alive for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners that October 1-7, 2007 be
recognized as "Textile Heritage Week" in New Hanover County, and that our citizens are called upon to celebrate the rich
history of the textile industry in North Carolina and the efforts of the Delgado/Spofford Mills Association, to help educate
and enlighten all of us on their history and contributions to our area.
ADOPTED the 1st day of October 2007
(Signed-William A. Caster)
William A. Caster, Chairman
Attest:
(Signed) Sheila L. Schult,
Sheila L. Schult, Clerk to the Board
(There were a few typographical errors in the original which I will try to get the Clerk to correct.
The above has the errors corrected.
Click on Photos
to enlarge
to enlarge
March 3, 2008
The Department of History of the University of North
Carolina-Wilmington and its graduate students have produced
an exhibit currently titled "Rethreading an Industry", consisting
of nine sections with the main emphasis on Garment Workers,
Mass Production, and Collective Action, 1890-1920.
The exhibit will be installed in the Public History Graduate
Student Gallery in the Randall Library at UNCW from April 2008
to February 2009. All members of the Delgado/Spofford Mills
Association and their guest are invited to view the exhibit
during this time period, and especially so during our annual
reunion on June 28, 2008.
From a tenant farmers cotton field to garment manufacturing in
sweat shops in New York with long working hours and
miserable living conditions, protest and labor activism,
especially by women and feminist groups, the exhibit will
contain many photographs and artifacts. Our parents and
grandparents could relate to the long hours and low pay as
they came out of the fields and into the cotton mills in the early
1900s. Remember our Delgado/Spofford Mills commenced
operation when the 1st whistle blew in 1900, and woke up
everyone from the "Mill Hill" to Front and Market Street.
Please advertise the exhibit to all of your family and friends,
and congratulate the young students who have worked hard
producing an exhibit which is close to our hearts when you visit.
Posted by William J. Blanton, Member of the exhibits Advisory
Committee
The Department of History of the University of North
Carolina-Wilmington and its graduate students have produced
an exhibit currently titled "Rethreading an Industry", consisting
of nine sections with the main emphasis on Garment Workers,
Mass Production, and Collective Action, 1890-1920.
The exhibit will be installed in the Public History Graduate
Student Gallery in the Randall Library at UNCW from April 2008
to February 2009. All members of the Delgado/Spofford Mills
Association and their guest are invited to view the exhibit
during this time period, and especially so during our annual
reunion on June 28, 2008.
From a tenant farmers cotton field to garment manufacturing in
sweat shops in New York with long working hours and
miserable living conditions, protest and labor activism,
especially by women and feminist groups, the exhibit will
contain many photographs and artifacts. Our parents and
grandparents could relate to the long hours and low pay as
they came out of the fields and into the cotton mills in the early
1900s. Remember our Delgado/Spofford Mills commenced
operation when the 1st whistle blew in 1900, and woke up
everyone from the "Mill Hill" to Front and Market Street.
Please advertise the exhibit to all of your family and friends,
and congratulate the young students who have worked hard
producing an exhibit which is close to our hearts when you visit.
Posted by William J. Blanton, Member of the exhibits Advisory
Committee