ROCKINGHAM — Local historian and former educator Ruth Robinson was recently honored for her contributions to the community.
The presentation was made at the end of Mayor John Hutchinson’s comments toward the end of Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. He said he found the recipient fitting, with it being African-American History Month.
“We have a historian in our community who has done tremendous work throughout her lifetime,” Hutchinson said about Robinson during the introduction.
Citing Lois Jones, Hutchinson said that Robinson’s life “is about getting knowledge and spreading knowledge.”
Jones was one of several people who came to the meeting for the presentation, along Robinson’s former principal and J.C. Watkins, a community leader in his own right.
“Tonight, I want to thank Ruth for her dedication to preserving the history of Rockingham and Richmond County,” said Hutchinson, who is also a historian.
Robinson is a native of Richmond County whose interest in history was stirred by the stories told by her grandmother, according to Hutchinson.
“And as a child, Ruth heard about family and neighbors, past and present, and she watched and listened as her great aunts … gathered and swapped stories,” Hutchinson said. “They had a friendship and a connection, Ruth remembers, they just showed so much love.
“They all told captivating stories and Ruth began making notes and collecting histories as a young girl — and she’s never stopped.”
After attending local schools, Robinson went on to Winston-Salem State University and returned to Richmond County in the late ‘60s to teach at Capitol Highway School, Fairview Heights and Monroe Avenue, Hutchinson said, referring to her students as her “little angels.”
According to Hutchinson, Jones — who worked with Robinson at Monroe Avenue — said, “Ruth has a wealth of knowledge and she’s known as a historian … she knows a lot — a lot — of history. She’s just good at that. It’s important to preserve history like Ruth does.”
Hutchinson then quoted Robinson, herself: “I’m interested in finding out about people and how they lived and the accomplishments they made and the ones they are making.”
“Some people say Ruth thinks she knows everything,” Hutchinson said. “Then they add, ‘I’m glad she does.’ Ruth knows most everything because she collects everything — obituaries, old documents, annuals, clippings and the like.”
Hutchinson said Robinson says her house is “upside-down with the stuff.”
The mayor also quoted several other people close to Robinson, including her son and niece.
He also noted that he couldn’t help but notice she was born on Christmas Day.
“No date could be more appropriate considering your life’s work has been a gift to Rockingham,” Hutchinson said. “Thank you for your commitment to preserving and sharing our community’s past. Your work continues to make a difference.”
The mayor presented her with a copy of the comments as Town Clerk Sabrina McDonald read aloud a letter from Robinson’s son, Don, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
“For someone to be able to leave as a teacher for 30 years and then have the strength and energy to serve in many additional capacities … I must say, it takes a tough and dedicated person,” the letter read. “Not to mention being the greatest mom a man could have had for 61-plus years.”
Robinson was also presented with a bouquet of flowers from her son.
