The CCHA owns and operates the Richmond-Miles History Museum in Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina. See image to left. Click it to see a larger version.
Unfortunately, over the past few years the CCHA has fallen on difficult times, primarily through a lack of leadership.
In an effort to assist the CCHA ,the CCHA Webmaster at the time, Richmond Stanfield (Rick) Frederick, Jr., provided advice. He identified problems, instructed how these problems should be addressed, and offered his expertise and money to get the job done. Here is a link to a comprehensive memorandum Rick Frederick prepared and submitted to the CCHA Board of Directors:
Unfortunately, the CCHA for the most part ignored this advice. And, not only did the CCHA ignore the advice, it launched personal attacks against the former webmaster, Rick Frederick. This was a sad chapter in the history of an otherwise proud organization.
Annie Yancey Gwyn Donation Rejected!
A Caswell County nurse named Anne (Annie) Yancey Gwyn (1891-1985) served in the US Army Nurse Corps during World War I, being stationed in France (Army Base Hospital 45).
After her nursing career she returned to Caswell County and restored what now is known as the Moore-Stamps-Gwyn-Ewalt house, which was magnificently redone and expanded by Wally and Pat Ewalt.
In addition to her many other accomplishments, Annie Yancey Gwyn served as the first president of the CCHA in the mid 1950s.
Rick Frederick, the former CCHA webmaster mentioned above, was fortunate to own Annie Yancey Gwyn's "dog tag" that she wore around her neck during World War I. See the attached photograph.
To honor her and to remind those who visited the Richmond-Miles History Museum in Yanceyville of her World War I military service, he offered to donate this item to the CCHA for display at the Museum.
His offer was rejected out-of-hand. He was told the CCHA wanted nothing to do with him nor with anything he owned.
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National Register of Historic Places Assistance Rejected
The CCHA owns the Graves-Florance-Gatewood House (GFG House) that currently is home to the Richmond-Miles History Museum on the Square in Yanceyville, NC. It was built c. 1820 by William Graves. Artist Maud Florance Gatewood was born there.
In early June 2021, Rick Frederick (former CCHA webmaster) discussed with CCHA President Jeff Nidle the likelihood of the GFG House being eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It already is a contributing structure to the Yanceyville Historic District (currently on the National Register). They had a very cordial telephone conversation. At least Rick Frederick thought so.
As a result of this conversation Rick Frederick contacted the NC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). He was careful to let the SHPO know that he was in no way affiliated with the CCHA.
This is where the process starts. Rick Frederick obtained great advice from the SHPO and an application form. He forwarded this to CCHA President Jeff Nidle (sharing all the correspondence with the SHPO), letting Jeff Nidle know that Rick Frederick had taken the first step and no longer would be involved.
Well Nidle's reaction was odd, bordering on bizarre. Here is a part of Jeff Nidle's June 3, 2021, email message to Rick Frederick:
"It is correct to say that you haven't taken the first step to do anything for us, you have no affiliation at all with the CCHA and we don't wish to have you interfere or have anything to do with you. If you choose to persist with your meddling and nonsense, I will contact the people you have corresponded with from state government and inform them of that fact."
Rick Frederick immediately corresponded with the people at the SHPO and apologized for creating a problem. They understood and currently await the CCHA's initiative.
According to Rick Frederick: (a) this organization, the CCHA, is beyond strange; and (b) this person, Jeff Nidle, should not be trusted.
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The following was posted by Rick Frederick June 3, 2021, to his Facebook Page:
Caswell County Historical Association Membership Renewal Rejected
We may be nearing the end of this saga, but I thought it important to share the latest episode.
For several decades of its existence I have been a member of the Caswell County Historical Association (CCHA), including being a 2020 member.
When I attempted to pay my $25 and renew my CCHA membership for 2021 it was rejected. My goal was to provide funds to maintain the building, which was built by my Graves relative. I explained the nature of my payment, but was told by CCHA president Jeff Nidle (who lives in Person County): "You are rejected."
Thus, I will donate the $25 to Black Lives Matter. I love irony.
You, of course, are on your own with respect to the CCHA. However, if you support that white-only racist organization please unfriend me.
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Caswell County Databases/Websites
While the Caswell County Historical Association (CCHA) has dwindling membership and appears dysfunctional, the online databases/websites that I (Rick Frederick) created over the years in support of the CCHA remain.
Not only do they remain, they continue to be supported and updated by me. I own them. I paid for them. I did the work. I own the copyright. The CCHA is in no way associated with these sites even though I have been accused of "highjacking" them.
The place to begin is my primary Caswell County History website. There you will find links to the other resources.
Here are the individual sites:
Caswell County Genealogy
Caswell County Photograph Collection
Caswell County on Find A Grave
Caswell County on Cemetery Census
Caswell County Historical Association
Note that I provide a link to the new CCHA website, with which I of course have no association. Why provide a link? Because the site exists. There is little of substance there (and it contains many factual errors), but to ignore it would be as petty on my part as the CCHA has been with respect to me.
Source: Rick Frederick 4 June 2021 Post to his Facebook Page.
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