From his early days as a Carolina mining entrepreneur, through his
command of America's landmark 1838-1842 around-the-world scientific Exploring Expedition,
to his famous Civil War actions in the Union Navy, to his return to
Gaston County during Reconstruction, Wilkes was involved in significant events of American diplomatic, military and economic history.
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His life contributed to and broadly reflects the growth of the natural sciences, the economy of the southern piedmont, and the rise of the American nation to world prominence.
The museums' exhibit galleries will be accompanied by a series of special programs and performances for local school children, regional audiences, and international visitors.
World
Premiere Concert
A world premiere of an
original composition created for this exhibit was held on February 15th
at the Gaston Day School. The Gaston Symphonic Band performed period music, as well as a special composition
written for the Wilkes Exhibit by composer Jerre Tanner, who
lives in Hawaii. The Gaston Symphonic Band also will play the
concert in Davidson at a date to be determined -- after being
postponed by Spring rains.
The concert and music composition
program is a partnership of American Composers Forum and the
National Endowment for the Arts, with additional funds provided
by the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, Rockefeller
Foundation and from Marshall Field's Project Imagine with
support from the Target Foundation.
Lecture Series
There will be a series on lectures throughout 2003 by
outstanding historians, scholars and others relating to the
Wilkes exhibit. This lecture series is sponsored by the North
Carolina Humanities Council. Admission is free to each lecture.
There are pre-lecture dinners by reservation only. See each
lecture additional information.
Tuesday May 27
Titian Ramsey Peale
and the Social History for American Landscape Art
Lili Bezner, Ph.D., Professor of Art History at UNC-Charlotte
will present this lecture about the main artist accompanying the
Wilkes Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. The Lecture Series is
sponsored by the North Carolina Humanities Council. Admission
Free. The Schiele at 7:30 p.m. Pre-lecture dinner by reservation
only. Call museum at 704-922-7681 for details.
Saturday, June 21 High Seas
to High Shoals Lecture Series*
Discovering Charles Wilkes in the Carolinas and in Washington,
DC.
Gaston County Museum Director Barbara Brose is the guest
lecturer in this series sponsored by the North Carolina
Humanities Council. Admission Free. 11:30 am at the Gaston
County Museum. Pre-lecture light brunch, call 704-922-7681to
make reservations.
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