What did Christmas look like for the enslaved people of Colonial Wilmington? While no holiday celebration was guaranteed, the port city's streets were often a stage granted to enslaved communities for a display of their culture known as John Kuners or John Canoe.

With the help of special guest Dr. Tara White, an assistant professor of history at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, this episode looks at why slave owners allowed these traditions to take place and how the enslaved used them to assert their individuality and power within an institution that didn’t give them much of either. In the episode, we explore why the holidays were a time of negotiation between slave and enslaver, and how the John Canoe celebrations became so associated with Wilmington.

Be sure to come grab your copy of Louis T. Moore's "Stories Old and New of the Cape Fear Region," on which this new season is based, in the Burgwin-Wright House gift shop today!

This podcast is sponsored by Durable Restoration Company.

For more information about the Burgwin-Wright House and to learn how to support the house, visit BurgwinWrightHouse.com.

Cover art design by Rachel Ross.

What did Christmas look like for the enslaved people of Colonial Wilmington? While no holiday celebration was guaranteed, the port city's streets were often a stage granted to enslaved communities for a display of their culture known as John Kuners or John Canoe.
With the help of special guest Dr. Tara White, an assistant professor of history at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, this episode looks at why slave owners allowed these traditions to take place and how the enslaved used them to assert their individuality and power within an institution that didn’t give them much of either. In the episode, we explore why the holidays were a time of negotiation between slave and enslaver, and how the John Canoe celebrations became so associated with Wilmington.
Be sure to come grab your copy of Louis T. Moore's "Stories Old and New of the Cape Fear Region," on which this new season is based, in the Burgwin-Wright House gift shop today!
This podcast is sponsored by Durable Restoration Company.
For more information about the Burgwin-Wright House and to learn how to support the house, visit <a href="https://www.burgwinwrighthouse.com/">BurgwinWrightHouse.com</a>.
Cover art design by Rachel Ross.

Burgwin-Wright Presents... explores the riveting stories of North Carolina's Cape Fear region through the history of one of its oldest Colonial historic sites – the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens in Wilmington. Focusing on history that spans the formation of the American Colonies to the modern day, Burgwin-Wright Presents... will explore the fact vs. fiction within the stories that have defined the Cape Fear region for three centuries.

Burgwin-Wright Presents... explores the riveting stories of North Carolina's Cape Fear region through the history of one of its oldest Colonial historic sites – the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens in Wilmington. Focusing on history that spans the formation of the American Colonies to the modern day, Burgwin-Wright Presents... will explore the fact vs. fiction within the stories that have defined the Cape Fear region for three centuries.

Burgwin-Wright Presents...

Burgwin-Wright Presents... explores the riveting stories of North Carolina's Cape Fear region through the history of one of its oldest Colonial historic sites – the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens in Wilmington. Focusing on history that spans the formation of the American Colonies to the modern day, Burgwin-Wright Presents... will explore the fact vs. fiction within the stories that have defined the Cape Fear region for three centuries.

Each season focuses on a new topic. Season 1 and 3 are devoted to examining the real history of "Outlander" in the Cape Fear, while Season 2 is all about the fact and fiction of Cape Fear Legends & Lore.

Burgwin-Wright Presents... explores the riveting stories of North Carolina's Cape Fear region through the history of one of its oldest Colonial historic sites – the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens in Wilmington. Focusing on history that spans the formation of the American Colonies to the modern day, Burgwin-Wright Presents... will explore the fact vs. fiction within the stories that have defined the Cape Fear region for three centuries.
Each season focuses on a new topic. Season 1 and 3 are devoted to examining the real history of "Outlander" in the Cape Fear, while Season 2 is all about the fact and fiction of Cape Fear Legends &amp; Lore.

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