The Luzerne County Historical Society announces a lecture by Dr. Juanita Patience Moss, “Deeply Rooted in North Carolina: The Story of Two Runaway Slaves” on Friday, August 23, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at the Luzerne County Historical Society Museum, 69 Rear South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, PA. “Deeply Rooted in North Carolina” is based on Dr. Moss’ newest book. Dr. Moss will speak about how an Ancestry DNA test led to the story of two runaway slave brothers in North Carolina and their harrowing journey, which led to her family’s residence in Luzerne County. Dr. Moss will do a book-signing after her talk. The lecture is free for LCHS members and $5 for non-members. For reservations or more information, call 570-823-6244 ext.3 or email reservations@luzernehistory.org. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Juanita Patience Moss, family griot, educator, author, and presenter, is the daughter of Charles Edgar Patience, a renowned anthracite coal sculptor from West Pittston and Wilkes-Barre, PA. After graduating from West Pittston High School, she attended Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C. Later she received a B.S. degree from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre; a M.A. degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, N.J.; and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by King’s College in Wilkes-Barre. Moss is a member of several genealogical organizations as well as a charter member of the Smithsonian Museum of African American Culture and History in Washington, D.C. One of that museum’s exhibitions introduces the world to the unique anthracite art created by her grandfather, Harry, and her father, C. Edgar Patience.

The Luzerne County Historical Society Museum is located at 69 Rear South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, PA (behind the Osterhout Library). The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free for members; $5 for non-members and $3 for children. Exhibitions on view at the museum include: “Native Americans in the Wyoming Valley,” “Mysterious Customs and Warm Charity”: Fraternal Organizations in the Wyoming Valley and “The Battle of Wyoming at 240: Revolution on the Homefront.”