Prominent Children's Author and Education Advocate Mebane H. Burgwyn to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker

A woman whose writings bridged the worlds of children's literature, public education and civil rights advocacy soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The marker commemorating the life and accomplishments of Mebane H. Burgwyn (1914-92), a pioneering North Carolina educator and author, will be dedicated Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m., at Church of the Savior in Jackson N.C. (210 N. Church St., Jackson N.C.).

Born in Rich Square, N.C., Burgwyn graduated from Woman's College, now UNC Greensboro, in 1935 with a degree in primary education. She later earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling from East Carolina University in 1961. Her professional life was rooted in rural Northampton County, where she lived on a farm near Jackson and served as Director of Guidance Services for the county's public schools.

Burgwyn authored seven books for young readers, many of which drew from her experiences in rural North Carolina. Her writing was celebrated for its authenticity and emotional depth, particularly in its portrayal of African American youth during the era of school integration. Her 1969 novel, "The Crackajack Pony," was written with the explicit intention of helping white children understand the trauma and prejudice faced by Black students in the South. This work, along with her earlier novel "Penny Rose" (1952), earned her the American Association of University Women's award for best juvenile book of the year.

Beyond her literary achievements, Burgwyn was a dedicated advocate for higher education in North Carolina. She served on the Board of Trustees at both UNC Chapel Hill (1955-1971) and East Carolina University (1973-1981), where she also held the role of board secretary. During her tenure at UNC Chapel Hill, she participated in the Committee to Restructure Higher Education in North Carolina, which led to the formation of the modern University of North Carolina System in 1971.

For more information about the historical marker, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2025/10/16/mebane-h-burgwyn-1914-1992-e-133, or call (919) 814-6625.

The Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the N.C. departments of Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov.

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