By Barbara A. Preston | Posted February 4, 2026
Part of the cultural tradition in African-American churches is to use a fan as a way of honoring an individual, an event, or as part of a fundraiser.
In an era without central air, fans staved off the heat and became a feature of self expression when a preacher “turned up the heat on his sermon.”
Maya Bailey, a sophomore at Montgomery High School, at SSAAM on Martin Luther King Day sharing an art project she completed titled, “William Stives, The Fife Player: His Soil, America’s Story.”
In honor of that tradition last year the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) created its first fan as part of its award-winning exhibit “The Head That Wears the Crown.”
“We chose to continue that concept this year,” says SSAAM Executive Director Anita Williams Galiano.
“The fans in this 250th year will be used to honor an African-American revolutionary war veteran. They will be given away at various events throughout the year as a reminder of ‘All Who Served.’”
Maya Bailey holding the William Stives, The Fife Player: His Soil, America’s Story ” fan.
Regarding Maya Bailey’s work with SSAAM, she had shown interest in SSAAM’s work and participated with the 2025 Camp Meeting Reenactment as a face painting artist.
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“When we wanted new art for 2026, our immediate thought was to consider some of the amazing artists who have contributed through events and Witness Stones Programs.
“As Maya shared her concept, we knew the idea was perfect.”
SSAAM is looking for ways to expand opportunities with students moving forward.
The grave of William Stives is located in Stoutsburg Cemetery off Province Line Road. It reads: PVT 3RD REGT. REV WAR. 1760-1839.
William Stives was born free, uncommon for the period, in 1760. Stives answered the call to revolution as a fifer in the 3rd NJ Regiment. He was present at the Battles of Monmouth and Yorktown and received discharge papers signed by George Washington. Stives became one of the first African American settlers on Sourland Mountain, where he and his wife, Catherine, raised 10 children.
