Local author and historian Jesse Russell will be telling stories about Berryville and Clarke County’s history, live from Barns of Rose Hill on Saturday, May 9th at 7:00 PM. Just tune in to Barns of Rose Hill’s Facebook page to watch.

Jesse will tell two stories. First, the story of Juliet, a work of historical fiction based on a true story. Born into slavery in Clarke County in 1815, Juliet fights unsuccessfully for years to gain her and her family’s freedom. Later, Juliet’s great-granddaughter becomes the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy.

Jesse will also tell the true story of Gene “Lightning” Wilson and his race against Clarke County High School track star and state record holder, Dickie Longerbeam. The fastest sprinter at the all-black Johnson-Williams High School, Wilson was unable to compete against white athletes because of segregation, until an unofficial race in May of 1964 decides who really is the fastest.

These stories will be live streamed, so Jesse will be able to take questions after each story.