Thursday, January 20, 2011

Neighborhood Recognized for Historic Significance

Durham’s storied past has once again been honored with the recent announcement from Preservation Durham and the Historic Preservation Office of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources that the Stokesdale Historic District has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places as of December 28, 2010.

The Stokesdale Historic District centers on Hayti, Durham’s largest historic African-American community, and it stands as the only intact historic neighborhood that remains of Hayti. The residential historic district is located south of Downtown Durham and is roughly bound by Umstead, Lincoln, Lawson, and Concord Streets.

Listing in the National Register gives recognition that the properties have historic, architectural, or archaeological significance within the context of the community, state, or nation. Benefits include state and federal tax benefits for historic building rehabilitations as well as some protection against adverse action by state and federal agencies.

Holding a significant place in African-American history, Durham is a diverse and entrepreneurial place with a community culture that paved the way for Durham to be home to Black Wall Street with two African-American owned and operated banks and the largest African-American owned insurance company in the country. This designation again solidifies Durham’s position of importance in African-American history.

Interested in finding out more about Durham’s African-American history? Download Durham’s African-American Heritage Guide here or pick up a copy at the official Durham Visitor Information Center in Downtown.

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