Hugh Mangum's Work Again Putting Durham in Focus

In Durham, on the grounds of the West Point on the Eno park, stands a simple building that houses the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography. Originally, it was Mangum's dark room, and now it has renewed importance as the interest in Mangum's work rises again thanks to the work of Sarah Stacke.

Stacke, a graduate of Duke University, is now a documentary photographer, and is a driving force behind an exhibit that has already been on display at the History Hub at the Museum of Durham History, and will return to the museum soon. She is working on identifying the subjects of Mangum's work, a catalog of images taken in North Carolina and Virginia around the turn of the last century, and the subjects of whom are unidentified. Remarkable about Mangum's work is that he photographed subjects both black and white in the same style, often seating one after the other in his photo sessions.

Stacke's work caught the eye of CBS News, and they covered her work on their broadcast last night. That story can be seen here, and the exhibit will return to the History Hub from December 2 to January 31. Keep up with the details of this, and other happenings here, with the Durham Event Calendar.

Durham History Hub Opens New Exhibit Dec 10

With just six weeks of operation under its belt, the Museum of Durham History's Durham History Hub is making good on its promise to keep displays fresh.

The Museum of Durham History will present a new "Our Bull City" exhibit developed by Duke’s John Hope Franklin Young Scholars Program. The Durham History Hub, located at 500 West Main Street, is home of the Museum of Durham History, the only museum in the heart of downtown.

On Tuesday, December 10, the Hub will open the Young Scholars’ innovative exhibit that weaves the narrative of a Durham teen through the writings of John Hope Franklin, the internationally known historian, author, scholar, and professor. The exhibit will focus on the life stories of Franklin and a fictional Durham teen named Kendrick, who shares experiences similar to Franklin’s. Visitors will be invited to engage in the Young Scholars collaborative writing process by interacting with life-size wood cutouts of the main characters in the book, re-organizing the plot elements, and adding suggestions to help shape this book for young teens. The final version will be published in January 2015 to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Franklin.

The JHF Young Scholars Program, part of Duke’s Center for African and African American Research, introduces high-potential middle schoolers—mostly members of under-represented minorities—to the highest principles and most vivid examples of university research, paving their path toward college.

”After three years of trying to carry on John Hope’s legacy with focused research on plantation workers, freedom crafters, and the Great Migration, the Young Scholars were surprised to discover that few young people had ever heard of John Hope Franklin,” said David Stein, JHFYS program director. “With his 100th birthday coming up, they decided this was a great time to introduce Dr. Franklin to a younger generation.”

“This will be the second exhibit at the Hub to feature teen perspectives on Durham history,” said Katie Spencer, the Museum’s executive director. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the creative and energetic Young Scholars and to partner with them to share the amazing life of John Hope Franklin with the people who walk through our doors.”

The exhibit will be up throughout the holidays, when the Hub will be open for regular Tuesday-through-Saturday hours, 10am to 5pm, on every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  Free hot cider and cookies are available every Tuesday and Wednesday in December. The Hub has no admission charge.

Learn more about Durham's great history at www.durham-nc.com.

Durham will make history on October 12th

This weekend, Durham's long-awaited History Hub will make its grand debut! Dozens of groups and individual entertainers will turn the October 12 Grand Opening of the Durham History Hub into a day-long celebration. More than 40 sponsors, led by Presenting Sponsor SunTrust Bank, are providing financial and in-kind support for the big day. The History Hub, located at 500 West Main Street, is the first home of the Museum of Durham History.

Beginning with a 10am History Parade down Main Street, followed by a ribbon-cutting, and rolling into a full afternoon of performances, the Grand Opening will launch the Hub in style. All activities and entertainment are free.

The parade will include the Bull City Brawlers Roller Derby Team, costumed bagpipers, Durham’s own Tobacco Queen, and Civil War re-enactors. Along with floats from Hayti Heritage Center, NC Pride Parade and Festival and Sam’s Quik Shop, there will be antique cars, a “biker bar,” Organic Transit vehicles, and more – all to the beat of the Hillside Hornets Marching Band.  The parade will begin near the Old Courthouse and travel west down Main Street to the History Hub.

At 11:30am, Mayor Bill Bell and Durham County Commissioners Vice Chair Brenda Howerton will join Museum Board Chair Lew Myers to open the History Hub’s doors and invite the audience inside for a first look at exhibits. Everyone who visits the exhibits will get a free ticket to enter one of four raffles.

Between Noon and 5pm, Durham Bulls announcer Jatovi McDuffie will keep things moving on two stages, featuring musical performers such as The Famous Jordanairs, NCSSM Jazz Ensemble, Blue Star Travelers, Kamara Thomas, TROSA Band, Heart of Carolina Chorus, Immaculata Catholic School Liturgical Choir, Durham Ukulele Orchestra and Durham Academy’s In the Pocket. 

A Bare Theatre acting duo, storytellers Dorothy N. Clark and Beverly Fields Burnett and Mr. Rainbow the Clown will be on hand, along with the Bellan Contemporary Dance Theatre and Bouncing Bulldogs Jump Rope Team.

Cartoonist VC Rogers will draw caricatures, the Durham Comics Project will oversee a kids art activity, Duke Homestead will lead several artisan demos, and local history authors will be available to sign their books.

Visitor parking will be available at no charge at nearby marked lots on Morris Street. All-day event parking is available for $3 in the Durham Centre deck, entered from the Morgan St. loop.

A full schedule of afternoon activities is attached and is also found online. Food trucks will be on site.

About the Museum of Durham History
The Museum of Durham History is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Durham's history to life and encouraging appreciation for our community’s heritage, pride in its accomplishments and support for its potential. The Museum’s home, the History Hub, is located downtown at 500 W. Main St. and will hold its Grand Opening on October 12, 2013. For more information, see www.museumofdurhamhistory.org.

Learn more about Durham's history at online.