The American Queen, a highly acclaimed book by Vanessa Miller, was released in January 2024.
This novel is the true story of Queen Louella Montgomery, a resilient force who left a plantation in Mississippi with her husband to travel with a band of people seeking “the promised land.” The couple and their followers gathered ever more people as they crossed many states in the old Deep South to reach their final destination.
The first written account of this kingdom was a 20-page pamphlet by Sadie Smathers Patton in 1957, and copies are in the reference section of the main branch of the Henderson County Public Library. The American Queen invites you into this communal kingdom to learn how African Americans banded together collectively—and how one African American woman, known as Queen Louella, left a legacy for all to follow in her footsteps of hope, determination, and courage.
Many people and readers have never heard of Queen Louella and the Kingdom of the “Happyland” which is located in Henderson County, NC. The county courthouse has the deeded information of the land purchased.
A well-known local Hendersonville man, Ronnie Pepper, has created and performed storytelling about this kingdom for many years. In addition, an art installation, “From Cotton to Crowns,” created by artist Diamond Cash in collaboration with Crystal Cauley, is located inside The People’s Museum at 318 North Main Street in Hendersonville. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour.
The Black History Collective of Henderson County, a group created by Crystal Cauley, has plans in development to create an annual African-style cultural event in commemoration of Queen Louella and the Kingdom of the Happyland. Featuring Miller’s book, the celebration will use spoken word…
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