CHARLESTON, Tenn. - A historian today will speak about Charleston's African-American families as they made the transition from slavery to freedom after the Civil War.

Bryan Reed, associate professor of history and department chairman for social sciences at Cleveland State Community College, will present the program to the Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society.

"Bryan is one of our community's leading researchers of African-American history," Melissa Woody, development chairwoman of the historical society, said in a news release.

"He has uncovered stories about Bradley County's African-American families that have never before been researched or written. His presentation will mention many family names familiar to most of us who live in the area."

Reed will speak at 3 p.m. at Watson's Chapel AME Zion Church. Afterward, the society will hear about the church's history.

In June, Reed's research into the life of Clinton Calloway earned him an invitation to the National Rosenwald Schools Conference in Tuskegee, Ala. Calloway, a Cleveland, Tenn., native, championed the educational advancement of African Americans and played a key role in the development of Rosenwald Schools.

Society President Faye Calloway said the organization is closing in on its goal of opening the Hiwassee River Heritage Center.

The society is remodeling a former Charleston bank it bought last year and has received approval for a $9,579 Rotary Foundation grant for new flooring and an air conditioning system.

Woody said several Bradley County businesses have donated time, labor and materials for the work.

"We tell you this kind of stuff to let you know that people think this is a worthwhile project," said Woody in a recent meeting of Charleston city leaders.

Charleston Mayor Walter Goode praised the society's initiative and enthusiasm in promoting the area's heritage.