Photo exhibit in Whiteville celebrates lives of rural African-Americans

18 February 2013

By Deuce Niven
Correspondent

WHITEVILLE - What began as an oral history project by the Lower Bladen/Columbus Historical Society has become an exhibition celebrating African-American life in rural Columbus and Bladen counties.
The North Carolina Museum of Forestry is hosting the photography exhibit, "Flashback: Community Life Through the Lens of Mack Munn, 1940-1960."
An agent for the Shaw Mutual Burial Association, Munn was better known for taking a camera everywhere he went.
"He didn't want to miss a picture," said Harry Warren, director of the museum. "He would show up for everything - birthdays, any celebrations - and he always told folks they didn't have to buy anything. And, of course, they always wanted to buy his pictures."
Munn was born in the small Columbus County town of Sandyfield in 1888 to former slaves Mary Munn and Daniel Grainge. After his wife died in childbirth in the 1930s, he focused on working and raising his six children.
"He traveled on a bicycle, and he had a camera, and everywhere he'd go, he'd take pictures - never mind whether you wanted to buy them or not," historian Julia Keaton said in a news release from the museum.
Munn died in 1976 of natural causes. Five of his grandchildren - Jerry Munn, Al Daniels, Cathy Munn, Diane Munn and George Munn Jr. - still live in Columbus County.
The exhibition continues through Aug. 4 at the museum, 415 S. Madison St. in downtown Whiteville.
Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, call 910-914-4185 or email forestry.museum@naturalsciences.org.
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/02/03/1234291?sac=fo.local

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