President James K. Polk State Historic Site to Host a Cooking Demonstration Featuring Dontavius Williams, Founder of ‘The Chronicles of Adam’

Step into the 18th century when the President James K. Polk State Historic Site will host a special cooking demonstration. The President James K. Polk State Historic Site is administered by North Carolina Historic Sites, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Dontavius Williams, a nationally recognized historical interpreter and founder of "The Chronicles of Adam," will bring backcountry cooking to life on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. On the hearth will be a stewed rabbit with garden herbs, hoe cakes, greens simmered with pot liquor and molasses-sweetened sweet potatoes.

Williams, a trained public historian and Certified Interpretive Guide, created "The Chronicles of Adam," a live action performance and cooking demonstration. Williams will perform the role of the character Adam, an enslaved blacksmith from the 19th century. Visitors can engage in first-hand conversations with Adam and gain insight into the lives of enslaved people during the Antebellum period. Using food, Williams will teach visitors how culinary traditions and practices formed a unique cultural identity and heritage.

Williams' extensive work in historical interpretation includes documentary film and television. His primary experience involves traveling nationwide to develop public programs that interpret slavery at historical sites and museums. Williams has worked with the National Parks Foundation and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitors Center in Maryland. Williams' goal is to ignite the spark of curiosity in others to learn about their own history and, in turn, teach others.

While the program is free to attend, the site suggests a donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children.

About the President James K. Polk State Historic Site
The President James K. Polk State Historic Site is home to the birthplace of the 11th President and the only Chief-of-State born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Located just outside of Charlotte, the site sits on 21 of the original 150 acres owned by President Polk's father, Samuel. Located at 12031 Lancaster Highway in Pineville, N.C., the site is open to visitors Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov.

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