The late Jean Bradsher Scott gets building named in her honor

By Karen Williamson

Caswell Messenger News Correspondent

Saturday, March 25, was a very special day in Milton as the memory and legacy of Jean Bradsher Scott was honored in a special dedication event.

The prelude to the ceremony began with soft instrumental music played by Alexis Butler on flute and Angela Daniel-Upchurch on acoustic guitar. This was how the dedication ceremony of the newly named Jean Bradsher Scott Renaissance Center started.

Located on the corner of Academy and Broad Streets in Milton, the former Women’s Club that was previously consecrated as the Historic Christ Church underwent a series of renovations.

This two-year process included the removal of the carpet and painting the floor to its original dark brown color. The bathroom was relocated to the back of the building, and original doors were adjusted to close properly, among other improvements. More renovations need to be done and getting the building to this point, according to North Carolina Senator Mike Woodard, who said on Saturday, “was not an easy thing. Due to Angela’s patience and persistence, she has made a lot of this happen.”

In speaking about the Town of Milton, Woodard stated, “On my credenza (in his office) sits a photo of the statue of Thomas Day that stands in front of the state museum. And, I have a picture of me standing right here (in this building) on the podium with Harriet Brandon sitting next to me on the day of the dedication of the Tom Buck Bridge. That was a great day for Milton and today is one of those days.”

He continued by answering a question about what makes a great city. He answered by saying, “A community is what makes a town or city, and families make up the community. And Milton is a fine example of that in my mind; small but mighty when I think of Milton, and today captures that for me. The (Milton) community has built a legacy with an incredible history in this part of the state. And I truly believe that Milton’s future is very, very bright. We are going to see a lot of changes with the coming of the state historic site (The Thomas Day House); all of the new businesses that have cropped up in recent years. It just makes me so proud of what Milton is doing.”

Then his speech focused on the reason for this ceremony. “Today is a day to celebrate the Scott family,” Woodard said. “The dedication of this building in honor of Jean Scott is going to be such a great asset to Milton and I look forward to the incredibly bright future for this community.”

During his welcome address, Jim Upchurch briefly mentioned that his grandmother got married in this church in 1913 and that her funeral was one of the last religious events that took place before it was deconsecrated. Afterwards he pointed out where the flue to the old potbelly stove was located by directing the gazes of the attendees to the location of the patch-mark on the ceiling.

Later on in the program, Dr. Brooks Graebner, the retired rector and historiographer with the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, outlined the history of the Episcopal religion in Milton. He began by stating that “William Mercer Green officially organized St. Paul’s (as it was called) in 1824; the construction of Christ Church was completed in 1890; Christ Church was deconsecrated in 1975 and sold to the Women’s Club in 1977.”

Even though this religion is no longer officially recognized in Milton, he finished by saying, “this is not a story of decline. It is a story of tenacious loyalty to the church on the part of several families who passed along their unshakable attachment to the church from generation to generation.”

Speaking on behalf of the Scott Family, Emily Scott Irving offered her family’s words of thanks and gratitude: “My mother would be incredibly honored and excited beyond words of the events and activities to take place in this building. My mother’s spirit is with us now and always will be. In her writings, Jean told stories of (local) people (in her newspaper column) thus becoming the keeper of Milton’s Memories.”

Happy emotions creeped up on Irving when she mentioned that “the acquisition of this building was made possible by a gift to the Milton Renaissance Foundation by John and Caroline (Scott) Keener.” She finished by expressing that her mother loved Milton, loved the people, the stories and telling those stories. “If she were here today,” Irving continued, “she would say to make this the most welcoming of places with opportunities to gather in fellowship. Invite speakers to educate and enrich us. Make this a space to facilitate conversation and widely exchange ideas in hopes that people who come here will want to come back again.”

The Jean Bradsher Scott Renaissance Center will be used as a performance venue and museum annex. For further information, contact Angela Daniel-Upchurch with the Milton Renaissance Foundation at (336) 583-8203 or by email at miltonrenaissance@gmail.com.