History & Community

By listening to the community and following hunches, we discovered a a powerful community history of transformative leadership. The stories documented highlight the community’s value of education and local schools, essential community centers that provided the foundation for successful advocacy around environmental issues.

Films are a really fun way to build community.

The Lilies Project produced a number of films that share the history of the last century in Walnut Cove, along with short documentaries that highlight how we made history, too.

Celebrating Courage - The Life of John L. Hairston
Focus: London School and the Integration of Walnut Cove (Includes Curriculum)
(1918 - 1993)

The Gymnastics Show
Focus: Southeastern Stokes Middle School and Post-Integration of Schools
(1973-1987)

Walnut Cove Colored School: Celebrating 100 Years
Focus: Local Rosenwald School and the First Restoration in the US
(1921 - 1999)

Persistence: The Power of People and Prayer
The Story We Want with Moms Clean Air Force
Focus: Tracey and Caroline are two moms making a difference around coal ash
(2016)

Ashes to Art
Focus: The Use of Coal Ash as Art art NCA&T Lab
(2018)

A Time to Sing
Focus: Belews Creek Press Conference with Poor People’s Campaign During Celebration Courage Weekend
(2018)

Excavation Celebration
Focus: Celebration of NC DEQ’s Coal Ash Clean Up Decision
(2019)

What Remains
Focus: Loss of Danielle Bailey-Lash
(2020)

More Stokes County Stories :: Little Egypt, James Brown, More