Hughes' Visit
The Core of Events
At the core of Hughes’ Negro History Week events in Wilson, NC was Librarian Elizabeth Jenkins of the Wilson County Negro Library. Jenkins invited Hughes and provided him with an itinerary of events around Wilson’s historically Black sector, such as St. Alphonsus and Darden High School. While inspiring Black students with the world-renowned Black poet, Jenkins also took the opportunity to create a fundraiser out of his Darden High performance. In the Wilson Daily Times' February 12, 1949 “Langston Hughes Speaks In Wilson” article, it states:
“Mrs. R. J. Johnson gave a brief history of the library saying 1,890 books circulated in the last quarter of 1948 and there were 155 new registrations. She said the problem was servicing the county people and the bookmobile was what the library was working toward. She commended Mrs. E. S. Jenkins, librarian and Miss Matteele Floyd, assistant librarian for the work they are doing.”
The Library Reception
When Hughes visited the library as his third stop, he was presented with a Negro Week exhibit and performance by Librarian Jenkins.
“Then to the Darden High School for another assembly followed by a pleasant visit at the bright and inviting little library on Pender St., where Mrs. Jenkins had assembled a beautiful Negro History Week exhbit. That evening there was a public program followed by a reception at the lovely Darden home.” -Langston Hughes, Chicago Defender, February 26, 1949
History of the Masonic Lodge Building & Library
The information provided below comes from the historical African American blog, Black Wide Awake, written by Wilson history and genealogy researcher, Lisa Y. Henderson. Black Wide Awake focuses on the historical documentation and genealogical research of Wilson's past Black community.
For a more extensive history of the library and lodge, please see CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, PART 3.
The Wilson County Negro Library was placed inside the storefront of Mount Hebron Masonic Lodge No. 42. However, the lodge that is there today was not the one that was originally built. The original lodge was a small, two-story frame hall. 40 years later, the building began to deteriorate and was replaced in 1947 by the concrete building in the photo below. Of the two storefronts, the Wilson County Negro Library occupied the 115B store from 1947-1974. It then joined the rest of the Wilson County library branches, causing its name to change to East Branch of the Wilson County Library. The 115B store is currently occupied by the lodge’s Squire Club.
Presently
Location: 115 N Pender St, Wilson, NC 27893
The 115B store, which formerly housed the library, is currently occupied by the lodge’s Squire Club.
