MURFREESBORO, NC – What do North Carolina, NASCAR, and moonshine have in common? Find out at Chowan University book talk with author Frank Stephenson Jr. about his new book North Carolina Moonshine: An Illicit History. The talk will take place in the upper level of Whitaker Library on the Chowan University campus, March 22, 2017. Beginning at 11:00am the talk will last for up to 20 minutes, followed by a question and answer session and the opportunity to purchase the book for signature.

The book, co-authored by Barbara Nichols Mulder, discusses how moonshine shaped North Carolina. Moonshine has been a part of the North Carolina culture and economy for hundreds of years. Sales from moonshine helped fund many different projects from the Civil War in the 19th century to NASCAR careers in the 20th century. As a child, Stephenson accompanied his father, a part-time deputy in Hertford County, on hundreds of moonshine busting raids. This perked his interest, and as an adult Stephenson explored the moonshine legacy throughout the state of North Carolina.

Stephenson, a Hertford County native, is also known for other publications, to include, Eastern North Carolina Farming, Murfreesboro, North Carolina: 200 Years on the Meherrin River, They Called us Cornfield Boys, and Sail and Steam Navigation of Eastern Carolina to name a few. He is also the 2015 recipient for the Christopher Crittenden Memorial Award for his work in preserving the history and culture of northeastern North Carolina. Stephenson also has an honorary Doctorate from Chowan University.

The book talk is free and open to the general public. Mark your calendars for March 22, 2017 at 11:00am and join us in the upper level of Whitaker Library for a dynamic talk about the influences of moonshine on North Carolina culture and economy.