Steve Woodbury and Ann Bauer share songs
sung by the people who lived where Umstead State Park is today

In the 1930’s, Mercedes Steely collected songs from the people living near the Ebenezer Christian Church in what is now William B. Umstead State Park.  These included old ballads from the British Isles and ‘new’ ballads about contemporary events; they included work songs, play songs, patriotic songs, and more.  The collection became Steely’s Masters thesis at UNC in 1936, and it has been preserved in the University Archives.  Last fall Ann shared a sampling of these songs at the 90^th Birthday Celebration for Umstead Park.  We’re excited that Ann and Steve are returning to share more of these songs with us.  Many of these songs have not been heard since Steely collected them ninety years ago!   We hope that you will walk out with some of these stories and tunes in your head.

Location:  Visitor Center accessed off US70/Glenwood Avenue.  8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh 27617

Additional parking around the back via a drive just past the Visitor Center on the right. 

Light Refreshments will be served.  Show starts 2pm.