Ella Swain and Smith D. Atkins married on Aug. 23, 1865. | Photos provided by the City of Raleigh Museum
This is the story of the marriage between Union General Smith D. Atkins and Ella Swain — the daughter of former NC Gov. and enslaverDavid L. Swain. The improbable story of this controversial courtship persists as a testament to love at first sight. A special thanks to Ernest Dollar of the City of Raleigh Museum for sharing this story with RALtoday.
Atkins was a Union general of the 92nd Mounted Illinois Infantry and part of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s March to the Sea. As Raleigh was about to be flooded with Union soldiers, former NC Gov. David L. Swain rushed to speak with the sitting governor about the potential destruction of Raleigh + UNC.
When Atkins first arrived at the Swain home to negotiate an occupation of the town, David L. Swain’s daughter Ella Swain was enraged at the thought of a Yankee general at her home after she had heard stories of Union soldiers across the South, according to Dollar.
As David L. Swain and Atkins talked, he asked Ella to retrieve a book. Being hospitable, Ella reluctantly grabbed the book for him, took one look at Atkins, and instantly fell in love.
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 | Friday, Feb. 14 + Saturday, Feb. 15 | Times vary | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | $30+ | Enjoy this classic concerto with the NC Symphony.
Love Stories & Broken Hearts Walking Tour | 2-3:15 p.m. | Starts at the Governor’s Mansion | Pay what you can | This lovely tour follows local love stories that end in heartbreak or happily ever after.
UNC Women’s Basketball vs. No. 10 NC State | 2-4 p.m. | Carmichael Arena | $125 | This annual game honors late NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow and raises money for breast cancer.
BBL can address sun damage, acne, fine lines, sagging, and more, while the gentle laser resurfacing refines texture and pigmentation for a smooth finish.
Is another snow day headed our way? The Weather Channel predicts a third snow of this winter for next Thursday, Feb. 20 with an above likely chance of precipitation paired with freezing temps. At the very least, some meteorologists predict a wintery mix late next week. (The News & Observer)
Coming Soon
North Hills just got another juicy tenant. Dallas-based wine bar and restaurant Sixty Vines will open a two-story eatery as part of office building One North Hills. Expect plenty of wine on tap, top-notch brunch, and a patio space on both floors. Sixty Vines joins Foxcroft Wine Co. as another new wine-focused establishment in the flourishing development. (Triangle Business Journal)
Concert
Dolly Parton’s music is coming to Oak City this fall. On Nov. 21-22, seven featured vocalists will perform Dolly’s top hits at Meymandi Concert Hall with new orchestrations as part of “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony.” Ticket information is coming soon.
Development
Downtown Cary’s Ashworth Village behind Ashworth Drugs will be redeveloped into a mixed-use building with family housing and ground floor retail. Academy Street Bistro will remain and be a part of the new development, and Once in a Blue Moon has already announced plans to move into the former Ashworth Drugs space. (Triangle Business Journal)
Sports
Pro baseball might not start for another month, but college baseball startstoday. Back the Pack9 in its first games of the season today against Fordham University at the Doak with a doubleheader. Tickets start at $8.50, and first pitches are at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Try This
RDU’s first flight from Jamaica landed on Wednesday, ushering in a new country connecting to the Triangle. Avelo has introduced direct service to Montego Bay, and the budget airline now serves 14 international cities and one US territory. If you’re ready to take off, peek at our guide to RDU.
Travel
Looking to experience the charm of Louisville this spring? You’re in luck. With Breeze Airways’ nonstop flights from RDU, you can immerse yourself in world-famous bourbon, thrilling horse racing, and a vibrant food scene. Fly affordably and comfortably with Breeze’s seriously nice service. Book your trip.*
Coming Soon
Panera Bread, Chipotle, and Mellow Mushroom are just a few of the new bizes under construction in Flowers Plantation. See the renders of the stunning waterfront development in the works out there.*
Health
Feel like your vision benefits are leaving you in the dark? Brighten things up with VSP® Individual Vision Plans, starting as low as $13 a month.*
Category
History
💌 Be mine?
These valentines from the Pope House date back to nearly 100 years ago. | Photos provided by City of Raleigh Historic Resources and Museum Program and the Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum Collection
The Pope House was built in 1901, and its 7,000+ artifacts story the lives of one of Raleigh’s most prominent African American families, including a set of vintage valentines.
Experts aren’t sure if these valentines were sent to or from the Pope family, and the cards have a cute rhyming scheme, similar to modern valentines.
Artifacts like these help uncover more about Raleigh’s history — and the US. Explore more from the Pope House Museum + the City of Raleigh’s various collections using its online database, including more vintage valentines. Plus, these materials are free to access by the public if you want to learn more.
Psst... if you want to see some Raleigh-inspired valentines, check out our Instagram page. True love means driving through both beltlines.
The Buy
The Buy
It’s Valentine’s Day and Friday… a combo that won’t happen again for another six years. Why not treat yourself for the occasion? We’ve got five picks we think you’ll love.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Raleigh. This weekend, I’m trekking to Durham to finally grab a bite at Cheeni — and a few sips at the adjoining Bar Beej, one of the Triangle’s James Beard semifinalists this year.
}})
