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Craig Atwood gave a public lecture at the new Tryon Palace historical museum in New Bern, N.C. on December 9 as part of their special holiday program. He spoke to a group of about 45 people on the topic of the Moravians and their Christmas traditions. Tryon Palace is a reconstruction of the colonial governors' mansion built by royal governor William Tryon in 1770. The Palace was opened to the public in 1957, but the historical museum is a new state of the art facility constructed to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of New Bern in 1710. In addition to discussing Moravian lovefeasts, candles, stars, and putz, Craig included information about the visit of Moravian John Ettwein to the governor's home and the visit of the governor and his wife to the Moravian settlement of Bethabara. The Moravian Church was the only church other than the Church of England that had legal status in colonial North Carolina. Several of those attending the lecture had connections to the Moravian Church, but there is no congregation near New Bern. The lecture was co-sponsored by the Center for Moravian Studies. |
