Frequently Asked Questions
1. What really happened in Wilmington in 1898?
In the 1890s, the Democratic Party started to lose its political dominance in North Carolina. The Populist Party began to gain traction, and it formed a political coalition with Republicans, sometimes referred to as “fusionism,” to compete against the Democratic Party. This coalition led to Democrats losing control of several major elected offices, including the governorship in 1896. Wilmington reestablished itself as a flourishing multi-racial port city after reconstruction and had elected a fusionist government to lead the city. Wilmington hosted the Daily Record, the only black-owned newspaper in the state (possibly the nation). In 1898, Democrats conducted a violent coup d’état in Wilmington to regain power. It was the only coup in history to succeed in replacing a sitting government on American soil. Dozens died, the Daily Record’s printing press was destroyed, and the newspaper offices were burned to the ground.
2. Who funded this film?
This film was fully funded by liberty-minded donors and was produced by the John Locke Foundation in association with Just Add Firewater. No government funds or grants were used in the production of this film.
3. Are you planning on making this into a full-length film?
We would love to! Creating a feature-length film is a serious undertaking that requires extensive resources. If you would like more updates on a potential feature-length film, you can sign up here. If you would like to inquire about helping to produce a feature-length film, please email inthepines@lockehq.org
4. What is the John Locke Foundation?
The John Locke Foundation. (Locke) is an independent, nonprofit organization named after John Locke (1632-1704), an English philosopher whose writings inspired Thomas Jefferson and the other American Founders. Locke is a 501(c)(3) research institute that focuses on policy, society, and the history of North Carolina. To learn more, click here.
5. Why is the John Locke Foundation making films?
The John Locke Foundation is committed to promoting awareness of North Carolina history. It accomplishes this through projects like the North Carolina History Project, reporting in Carolina Journal, and through public intrigue projects, such as In the Pines.
6. Where can I watch the film?
The short film can currently only be viewed through a scheduled screening. To find a screening near you, click here. To request a screening, please email inthepines@lockehq.org. We are currently still exploring options for audiences to stream In the Pines at home.