Chavis' book delves into Black history in High Point

Nov. 25—HIGH POINT — When it comes to history, Glenn Chavis ascribes to an old Abraham Lincoln adage, "History is not history unless it is the truth."

In his recently published book, "My High Point In Black and White With A Dash of Color," Chavis tells the story of a city-sponsored publication that once claimed John Coltrane, the legendary jazz saxophonist who grew up here, used to work for Nannie Kilby of the famed Kilby Hotel on Washington Street. When Coltrane wasn't too busy working, the story went, he would go out on the back steps and practice his sax.

It's a great little nugget of High Point history, Chavis says, except for one thing:

"Coltrane was born in 1926, and Kilby died in 1921. Need I say more?"

Facts matter to Chavis, a local historian who grew up in an era when the Washington Street neighborhood thrived. Thus, the title of his book — "High Point In Black and White" refers to the straightforwardness of the Black history he's writing about, and "A Dash of Color" alludes to the casual, sometimes humorous tone he adopts for his book.

"I have chosen to bring forth Black history in a way I feel will help people better understand High Point's early Black history," Chavis, 82, writes in his introduction. "Writing about things I observed and experienced, in my community, allows me to bring forth the good, bad and ugly."

The book, which is available only through the High Point Museum, is a collection of 100 newspaper columns Chavis has written about African American history in High Point. The book also features more than 75 photographs — some from his personal collection, others from the High Point Historical Society — including a front cover photo of his father, Roy Chavis, as a teenager.

"This book is a project we've been working on with Glenn for a few years," says Edith Brady, director of the High Point Museum. "The pandemic delayed its publication, and we are so happy to finally have it available. Glenn writes in a way that is very relatable, and I think everyone will enjoy these stories about people's everyday life experiences in High Point's past."

The columns — some serious, some not so serious, some downright funny — paint a broad picture of the Black experience in High Point. Sadly, that includes some tales of how racism has reared its ugly head throughout the city's history.

In 1899, for example, the bodies of two Black citizens buried at Oakwood Cemetery were disinterred — at the request of city officials — because they were deemed to be too close to the Confederate monument there.

"I find it hard to comprehend why so-called intelligent people would even discuss desecrating the graves of two of High Point's citizens because of the color of their skin," Chavis writes. "Here we have elected officials promoting racism rather than trying to bridge the gap between the races."

Chavis also writes poignantly about the time he went to High Point Central High School to give a history presentation. It was his first time visiting the school — a school he wasn't allowed to attend as a teenager because of segregation.

On the lighter side, Chavis includes a funny story from the early 1950s, when Silas Green From New Orleans came to town. Silas Green was a traveling African-American variety show that included, among other entertainment, the scantily clad "Oochie Coochie Mamas." Chavis, who was about 10 at the time, didn't know who these "Oochie Coochie Mamas" were, but when he heard several men talking about going to see them, he was determined to find out for himself — no matter the cost.

Another humorous story deals with an annual tradition known as "spring cleaning," in which Chavis had the misfortune of having to take two doses of castor oil in a single day ... and suffered the consequences.

Other columns cover such topics as the joys of Washington Terrace Park; the upscale Underhill neighborhood, which Chavis describes as "The Black Emerywood"; racist city ordinances; the old Toot & Tell drive-in, a popular hangout on Washington Street; High Point's first Black city school nurse; the first Black-owned hotel; and the "colored news" column that was published in The High Point Enterprise.

"I write about all kinds of stuff, but it's all local," Chavis said in an interview. "It's all about Black history here in High Point."

Chavis' previous work includes authoring the city's "African-American Heritage Guide" and another history book, "Our Roots, Our Branches, Our Fruit: High Point's Black History, 1859-1960."

According to Chavis, his new book is the first of what will be a three-volume collection of columns. A publication date has not yet been determined for the next volume.

Want a copy? "My High Point In Black and White With A Dash of Color," by Glenn R. Chavis, is available only through the High Point Museum. You can buy it in person at the museum, 1859 E. Lexington Ave., or by calling the museum store at 336-883-3138. The cost is $25.95, plus tax. {related_content_uuid}c0ab12c1-b854-4709-8b89-98f2d322747e{/related_content_uuid}

jtomlin@hpenews.com — 336-888-3579