Historian Ricky Allred to talk about county ‘Poor House’ at Asheboro library

Ricky Allred

ASHEBORO – Until the middle of the 20th century, counties were responsible for taking care of their poor and indigent residents. 

Local historian Ricky Allred will discuss Randolph County’s role in caring for its neediest citizens in a talk at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the Asheboro Public Library. The talk is free and the public is invited.

Allred is author of The Least of These: Caring for the Poor in Randolph County, N.C., 1794-1922, published in 2025. The book chronicles the provisions for caring for those who could not take care of themselves, from the parish-based system of colonial times through the post-independence shift to county responsibility and the creation of a county Poor House, to the beginnings of state supervision following the Civil War, and finally to the replacement of the Poor House with a modern County Home in 1922. 

While legal and government structure frame the historical account, stories Allred has uncovered of individuals within the system — both care recipients and caregivers — give color to the statistics and vitality to the narrative.

Allred’s interest in history springs from deep family roots in Randolph County, and has led to research into a variety of local history topics. He is known for his “Walk Through the Past” tours of the Old Asheboro Cemetery.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For more information, call 336-318-6803.

Film screening, discussion to bring to life ‘The American Constitution’

 

ASHEBORO -- Experience the high-stakes story of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in The American Constitution, a new documentary movie, in a screening at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, in downtown Asheboro’s historic Sunset Theater.

The event, hosted by Revolutionary Randolph, the county’s official America 250 NC committee, is free and the public is invited. A discussion with filmmaker David Garrigus will follow the one-hour film.

Guided by insights from leading constitutional scholars, The American Constitution unveils the origin story of the American system of government. Set in the sweltering summer of 1787, the film dramatizes the creation of one of the most influential documents in human history.

Non-partisan and non-political, the film is a scrupulously accurate story promoting historical literacy and the greater civic good. The script is drawn entirely from the historical record, using only the Founders' own words.

This commitment to authenticity is brought to life by an impressive cast portraying Framers like George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and the ever-witty Benjamin Franklin.

The film is slated to be broadcast on public television in fall 2026. View the film’s trailer at ConstitutionMovie.com. 

Garrigus is an award-winning filmmaker specializing in historical documentaries. His previous work includes the critically-acclaimed PBS film Kitty Hawk: The Wright Brothers’ Journey of Invention. 

The Sunset Theatre is located at 234 Sunset Avenue. For more information, call the Asheboro Public Library at 336-318-6803.