SHIPPING MAGNATE: Mayor Mac Hodges (center) has proclaimed Friday, Oct.12 to be Hull Anderson Day. Hodges met with Historic Port of Washington Project and Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad representatives (left to right) Rick Zablocki, Billie Jean Mallison, Ray Midgett, Milton Jones and Leesa Jones. During the Antebellum period, the port of Washington was a major shipbuilding center in North Carolina and Hull Anderson was at the center of this industry. Born a slave in 1794, he was eventually able to buy his freedom and by 1840 had become one of Washington’s most prominent land owners and businessmen. Anderson purchased the freedom of several other enslaved people, including several family members, and employed many local African Americans at his shipbuilding business. Anderson also contributed to the Methodist Episcopal Church to help fund the American Colonization Society’s mission, which helped enslaved people emigrate to Liberia. In 1841, he sold most of his property in Washington and emigrated to Liberia, where he helped fund a Benevolent Society. Anderson was one of Washington’s most notable personalities, a true success story and a great contributor to the historic port of Washington and maritime history. A presentation on Anderson’s life will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at the North Carolina Estuarium. Leesa Jones and Ray Midgett will be the guest lecturers.