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In September 2000, I published a children’s book, Bright Ma Day Clean-A Story About the Underground Railroad. The story chronicles a young girl whose name is Bright Ma growing up in a Washington community called Keysville.

Growing up in a rural Washington community in 1920, 11-year-old Bright Ma is excited about her family’s first reunion in 30 years. It is at this reunion she will learn of the family’s history beginning in West Guinea Africa in the mid 1700’s. The family history will tell of the slave trade that brought them to North Carolina, their new life on the plantation, and their journey to freedom on the underground railroad in the Washington area.

Bright Ma learns of the secret codes her ancestors used to convey messages thru songs, dancing, clothing, food, flowers, bird calls and more and how these things aided their escapes to freedom. She is amazed at the genius and creativity they used as Freedom Seekers. She is asked by the family elders at the reunion to become a ‘Keeper of the stories’ she learns about.

She is also asked to make sure the family’s history is not lost. Bright Ma’s stories will be shared in a series of books giving the readers opportunity to learn and experience Bright Ma’s adventures through local history, cooking lessons, songs, games and crafts. Young and old alike will enjoy Bright Ma’s discovery of her family’s history and it is hoped will inspire the readers to become ‘keepers of the stories’ of their own family history.

I have recently returned to completing the second book of the series. It has taken me a while, as a course of African American studies and research on the underground railroad here in Washington and its far-reaching links to other states and countries, needed to be completed.

Now I need local photographs that people may want to share to accompany the book. I am looking for photos of local business owners from 1920-1970. I would love to have photos of Pomp Credle’s Restaurant, Mother of Mercy School students, the I. B. Turner Library and photos of local neighborhoods. I would also love to have a photo of the Washington Elementary School Building, Mary’s Tavern and any Fourth Street (now Dr. MLK Jr. Drive) businesses and the stores and businesses that were on Gladden Street from Second to Ninth Streets.

Please enjoy this 1910 postcard from my private collection of a rare postcard of a local African American woman standing outside Thomas’s Five and Ten Cent Store that was located on North Market Street.

I have also submitted a proposal to Arcadia’s History Press Publications for the book ‘The Hidden African American History of Washington NC that will share 200 years of local African American history. I would love to use some of the photos I receive in this book as well.

Leesa Jones is a Washington native and the co-curator of the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum.