Tonight New Bern Puppets presented three shows on the history of New Bern at the “Party Like it’s 1899 Gala” at the North Carolina History Center. The event, to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce. The celebration featured music, food tasting from local restaurants, dancers, magic act and of course puppet shows. It was a wonderful evening!
New Bern Puppets set up near the Cullman Auditorium and got ready for our guests.
Dennis holding a marionette of a character to stand in for Maude Moore Latham, a woman who spearheaded the rebuilding of Tryon Palace.
The puppeteers for tonight were Sherry Bradbury, Dennis Listermann-Vierling, Cyndi Papia and Keith Phillips.
Dennis demonstrating how to operate a marionette with members of the audience.
A scene from the first show “Governor Tryon and the Spit Boy.” Here the cook is telling the spit boy to restock firewood at Tryon Palace.
In the second show, “George Washington Comes to Town,” we see a mother and daughter outside an inn in New Bern.
In the last show, “A Capital Decision,” Governor Spaight talks about the need to move the capital of North Carolina from New Bern to the new city of Raleigh.
As the government moves from Tryon Palace for new quarters on Raleigh, Governor Spaight expressed his sadness to his wife Mary.
At the conclusion of the shows, the figure of Maude Moore Latham emerges to thank guests and express optimism for New Bern’s future.
Audience members watching one of the performances.
The event featured food for the guests from various local restaurants. The Bonafides provided music for the guests.
