Newspapers / The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.) / July 2, 1993, edition 1 / Page 11
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Abner Sessoms blazed historic trail The News-Herald, Friday. July 2,1993 The Gallery Theatre Audiences in Ahoskie and the Roanoke-Chowan area have en joyed locally produced plays, musicals and dance competitions at The Gallery Theatre on Main Street. Gallery Theatre enjoys 27th year By Lottie Lassiter The Gallery Theatre director Tt seems only like a short lime ago when a handful of individual saw the potential for something wonderful in an old movie house and created The Gallery Theatre, which is now enjoying its 27ih year. What was once a proud movie theatre that showed fine films and hosted outstanding vaudeville acts, was now an empty shell devoid of laughter, tears and drama that had entertained many residents of the Roanoke-Chowan community for decades. The worn seats, floor and stage as >vell as the lobby were stark testi monials to the people who put their everyday lives behind them for an afternoon or evening of pure plea sure and fantasy. -The Women’s Division of the /^oskic Chamber of Commerce saw beyond the dust, decay and dete- ri'pration. What those women saw was a legitimate theatre and civic auditorium that would not only host visiting artists but provide a iiaining arena for aspiring area ihespians and artists. After negotiating and signing a lease, the dream-makers held a membership, selling "stick" in a new non-profit organization, and TTie Gallery Thcaue was bom. Stock sold in theatre "Individuals purchased shares of stock for $25 each, thus making them lifetime members in the or ganization. In this manner the community became an integral part of the own ership and not an outsider looking on this unique cultural center in the Roanoke-Chowan area. i Following several months of ex tensive clean-up and a few structural improvements to the building, vol unteers then turned their sights to another labor of love — producing plays, sponsoring art exhibits (many times with the work of local artists) and other cultural events. i During this time, there was a succession of dedicated officers and Ijoard members who kept activities moving through good as well as bad economic limes. As funds be- Ahoskie had state's first black cop Abner Sessoms, the first black policeman not only in Ahoskie but also in North Carolina, was bom in Powellsville and was one of nine children. This is his story that he told the R.L. Vann School's Junior Histori ans in a 1982 interview; I was raised on a farm went to Powellsville School, which is now C.G. While. I think we went six or seven months a year to school. We had about four grades and two teachers. People went about like they wanted to go. If parents didn't make you go, you wouldn't go. We had to get our own wood to warm the school. We had a certain lime during the day we would go out and cut wood and bring it up to the school house for the next day. After 1 left the farm, I worked for the peanut company for years. Next I spent time working in Philadel phia, New York and Boston. When I came back to the Ahoskie area, I worked at the Elks Hall and then Reynolds' Funeral Home. At the time I also had opened a cafe here and had that for about gest and he gave my name. Others three years. I then opened a pool must have agreed. On the council at room and operated that for about seven years. Hired in 1946 I was hired by the town of the time were Mr. John Garrett, Mr. Copeland and Mr. Basnight among others. That night I was down at my ♦♦ ♦ It is with pleasure we extend our Congratulations, Ahoskie on your Centennial. Sumner Business Machines 130 East Main Ahoskie 332-8084 7 was treated fine when I was hired on the force. I did not apply to become a policeman; in fact, I didn't have any idea of being one.' Abner Sessoms in a 1982 interview Ahoskie as a policeman in 1946 when I was running the pool room. I worked for the department for 25 years and retired in 1970. I was treated fine when I was hired on the force. I did not apply to become a policeman; in fact, I did n't have any idea of being one. I didn’t even know that they were go ing to hire a black policeman, but Rev. Patterson and Rev. Hart had been working on it. So the night the question finally came up. Rev. Hart was asked who he would sug- pool room. The chief came down and told me they wanted me at the police station. I asked why and the chief said they had decided to hire a black policeman tonight and they wanted me. 1 said 1 couldn't do it because I was running my pool room. He told me that 1 ought to come up there and take it because it might be my last chance. I wasn’t loo interested but I went and talked to them about it. They told me they would start me at $0 a month. At the time I was already making $25 a day in clear money. They encouraged me to take it, say ing I could probably keep both jobs. 1 did keep the poolroom for a while, because the building had been leased to me for three years. Another fellow ran it for me. I really didn’t have anything to do with it, and on Saturday night he would bring me my part of the money. Almost forced Into job 1 really had never given any thought to being a policeman. To tell you the truth, they almost forced me to accept it. They told me when the news leaked out that there would be black people against me and white people against me. They said if I accepted it that night, it would be settled and they wouldn’t undo it. 1 decided to try it and I got along very well. They cooperated with me — the judges, magistrates, sheriffs department and the high way patrol. We were just one fam ily, and they treated me nice. (See SESSOMS, Page 15A) came available, small improve ments were made. Then, exciting things began to happen for The Gallery Theatre Inc. Theatre building bought In 1980, opportunity knocked for what turned out to be a bonanza for the organization — the building that already gained a new lease on life was for sale. The officers and board of directors took their needs to the public again and, with the support of the Town of Ahoskie, raised funds to purchase the build ing. Two years later, Jan. 1, 1982, The purpose of the theatre is to promote and advance cultural interest in living theatre, art, music and crafts. the building officially became the property of The Gallery Theatre Inc. With renewed enthusiasm and vigor, The Gallery began to restore the building. This effort was as sisted handsomely in 1983 by a grant from the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts. This grant was used to develop a master plan of renovation and subsequent grants were utilized for implementation. The lobbies were completely ren ovated, air-conditioning and heating systems were installed, a permanent sign was erected, and new stage wiring and an electrical sign board were added to the operational facili ties of the theatre. These improvements occurred in 1987-88 and were financed with grants and support, again from the atre patrons and other community contributors. A strong resurgence in volun- teerism occurred in October 1985. It was the long-standing backbone of The Gallery. This came from the organization of Stagecraft and its active representation on the board of directors. The members of this (See GALLERY, Page 19A) A Historic Past.., A Progressive Future The Hertford County Commissioners Seated: Vernice B. Howard, Chairperson; Standing, left to right: Ray Farmer, Dupont Davis, Robert Holloman and Mike Basnight The Hertford County Board of Commissioners is con stantly working to provide a better way of life for the citizens through quality education, health services, law enforce ment, social and human services, animal control, solid waste, etc. CongratulationSf Ahoskie for 100 years of achievements toward the growth of Hertford County HERTFORD COUNTY (919) 358-7805
The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.)
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July 2, 1993, edition 1
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