Visitors to the Cameron Art Museum [CAM] will find that it is more than an art museum; it is a cultural gathering place with high-quality exhibitions and a commitment to dynamic public programs, arts education, and stewardship.

One of CAM’s most significant exhibits bridges the gap between art and history. The museum’s Boundless sculpture was born out of a desire to connect the CAM with the historic Battle of Forks Road site, a pivotal Civil War location where the museum now stands.

 

The Battle of Forks Road occurred from Feb. 20-21, 1865, and was a significant engagement following the Battle of Fort Fisher. It ultimately contributed to the fall of Wilmington and the end of the war. The Boundless sculpture is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the over 1,800 United States Colored Troops (USCT) who engaged in battle there.

North Carolina artist Stephen Hayes created the life-size sculpture using the likeness of USCT descendants, Civil War reenactors, and African American military veterans. The names of the soldiers of the 1st, 5th, and 37th USCT regiments are inscribed on the back. Boundless was installed in November 2021 on the battlefield where the men fought for their freedom.

 

From Shadows to Spotlight: USCT Descendants Project

Boundless offers a gateway to uncovering Wilmington’s past and delves into stories not typically found in history books. Although the contributions of the USCT soldiers have often been overlooked, the CAM has been instrumental in preserving their legacy. These stories, kept alive by oral narratives passed down over generations, are vital to CAM’s mission to honor and document this rich history.

CAM executive director Heather Wilson said the USCT Descendants Project’s goal is to connect the museum’s work with the lives of community members and beyond.

“The impact of the USCT is vital to our understanding of the history of the United States,” Wilson said. “By connecting with their descendants, we are raising awareness and community engagement around issues of resilience, freedom, citizenship, and democracy – all of which are still important today.”

The incorporation of oral histories into Boundless has added a personal touch, illustrating how the bravery of USCT impacts the lives of their descendants today, she added.

“Personal accounts allow us to see how the past affects the present and the future. There’s a thread that connects the bravery of the USCT ancestors to the bravery of their descendants, who are veterans of the United States military or have become lawyers or history teachers,” Wilson said. “We were overwhelmed, and still are, by the number of descendants who have reached out from across the country and the depth of their stories. It is truly a remarkable narrative that we can explore through this work, a uniquely American story.”

Researching USCT Soldiers and Descendants

The CAM received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, allowing them to hire Daniel Jones as a cultural curator. Jones’s efforts in preserving the legacy of the USCT have been instrumental. Through extensive research and outreach to local churches and other resources, Jones, community volunteers, and a local historian successfully identified USCT soldiers and located numerous descendants. University of North Carolina Wilmington students are also assisting the museum staff with their ongoing search for descendants.

“We were originally looking for descendants for the art project,” said Jones. “The focus has shifted to finding descendants who can shed light on who these soldiers were. By documenting these stories, we make the significant story of Forks Road tangible and visible.”

 

In some instances, the research shifted to linking the soldiers to already documented stories about their lives, Jones said. He recounted the story of Simpson Younger, a 13-year-old USCT soldier from Ohio. A volunteer unearthed a 1930s interview in which Younger admitted to lying about his age to join the Union Army. It was also revealed that Younger was biracial; his father was an enslaver. He was raised alongside his father’s grandchildren, Bob and Jim Younger, who later became infamous as outlaws and members of the James-Younger Gang with Frank and Jesse James.

After the war, Younger attended Oberlin College, where he played baseball. He returned to Missouri in the late 1870s, settled in Kansas City, and faced segregation when purchasing theater tickets in 1888. Refusing to accept inferior seating, he sued for $5,000. Although he argued this violated the 14th Amendment, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld segregation, paving the way for Jim Crow laws.

“When you look at the statue, it’s hard to think of these men out of the context of them in uniform with a gun in their hands,” said Jones. “For the overwhelming majority of their lives, they didn’t have a gun in their hands. This is one of the times we are allowed to see how the soldier lived his life.”

Documenting USCT’s Legacy

Legacy, a short documentary by filmmaker Adam Alphin, breathes life into the oral histories collected by CAM. It chronicles the stories of individuals like Caesar Evans, who escaped slavery to join the USCT and resettled in Brunswick County. It also highlights the journey of the Rev. William Hammond Hunter, a black chaplain in the Union Army. Rev. Hammond founded St. Stephen AME Church, one of the sites featured in “A Guide to Wilmington’s African American Heritage.” The museum staff plans to weave other stories into future exhibits.

Wilson noted CAM staff have gained a deeper understanding of the extraordinary challenges these soldiers endure.

“Through this project, I have learned so much about our community and the resiliency of people,” she concluded. “You can’t help but be moved and inspired when you hear these men’s stories. We are lucky to be able to play a small part in honoring their legacy.”

Celebrating USCT at CAM

Visitors can experience the museum’s Battle of Forks Road Living History Commemoration each February. The annual event features reenactors in an encampment, portraying the life of the USCT soldiers and a screening of the Legacy documentary.

 

Join CAM in November for its Veterans Day and Boundless installation anniversary celebration.

 

USCT Park's Programs, Seasonal Concerts

Through grants and donors, the museum established the PNC USCT Sculpture Park to honor the soldiers. As the only USCT sculpture park in the U.S., it provides a community space for reflection and is the backdrop for arts-related events. The park features an informational kiosk, educational signage, and seating for visitors.

 

The Sunset Concert Series is one of the signature events held at USCT Park. This series highlights artists of color for three months in the spring and fall. These free concerts often connect with the region's cultural traditions and the USCT’s legacy.

 

Explore on Your Own or With CAM Staff

Take a public tour of Boundless with a CAM cultural curator each Friday. The tour is free with museum admission. Visit the CAM website for more details.

 

Other Resources

Want to learn more about the USCT? Visit the Fort Fisher State Historic Site to gain a deeper understanding of the troops' profound impact on shaping our nation’s history.