Exploring Old Durham and New Durham
By: Michael Honeycutt, Recreation Specialist Senior
The Mature Adult outing – “Old Durham/New Durham” held on Thursday, August 22 – began with a “true overview” of Durham. From the 28th floor of the new One City Center in downtown Durham, participants were treated to a panoramic birds-eye view of the city and beyond. In cooperation with the building management company, a tour of this “New Durham” addition was provided to a group of Mature Adults. They were whisked to the top floor of the building which provided wonderful views in all directions. Participants looked longingly at the roof-top pool as it was a truly hot August day. A brief overview of the history and construction of the building was provided, complete with an overview of all the amenities this luxury building has to offer. The tour was capped off by viewing one of the living spaces in the building.
After “coming back to Earth” the group visited the Durham History Museum where an exhibit on the life on Durham civil rights activist Ann Atwater was on display. A photo display of the “150 Most Influential People in Durham’s History” covered an entire wall and murmurs of “Oh, I remember that person” or “I didn’t realize that person was a Durham native” filled the room.
From the Museum, it was off to a true Durham landmark – the Carolina Theater. There the group saw an exhibit on the history of the theater, from vaudeville days to present time. Of particular interest to the group was historical information as to the days when the theater was segregated with black patrons relegated to the balcony while white patrons were allowed to watch movies from the main level. The exhibit gave background as to how the Jim Crow laws of that day were changed and highlighted many of the individuals who brought about the changes.
On the way to lunch at Lucky’s Delicatessen in historic Five Points, the group viewed from the bus the newly renovated Durham Public Library, the original Durham Public Library, and the new Durham Police Headquarters. After a delicious lunch with a wide cross-section of Durham, the group was off to the Hayti Heritage Center and the St. Joseph’s Performance Hall at the Hayti Heritage Center. The cornerstone of St. Joseph’s AME Church was laid at the current location on Old Fayetteville Street in 1891. The church long symbolized the dignity and resolve of the African-American community in Durham. The church fell victim to the “urban renewal” that swept black neighborhoods in Durham during the ‘60s and ‘70s. While the physical church remained untouched, room for growth was cut off by new roads and business, leading to the building of a new St. Joseph’s AME Church further down Fayetteville Street.
Mature Adults learned that when the new church was built in 1970, the original structure became the
catalyst for the formation of the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is
preserving and advancing the heritage and culture of historic Hayti and the African-American
experience through programs that that benefit the broader community locally, nationally and globally.
The church complex is listed on the register of historic national landmarks.
That day, some of Durham’s Mature Adults saw highlights of both old and new Durham and learned
more about what has made Durham the vibrant city it is today. Interested in joining the Mature Adults for another adventure? Visit our website to learn more about the upcoming events in store for our 55 and better residents!
After “coming back to Earth” the group visited the Durham History Museum where an exhibit on the life on Durham civil rights activist Ann Atwater was on display. A photo display of the “150 Most Influential People in Durham’s History” covered an entire wall and murmurs of “Oh, I remember that person” or “I didn’t realize that person was a Durham native” filled the room.
From the Museum, it was off to a true Durham landmark – the Carolina Theater. There the group saw an exhibit on the history of the theater, from vaudeville days to present time. Of particular interest to the group was historical information as to the days when the theater was segregated with black patrons relegated to the balcony while white patrons were allowed to watch movies from the main level. The exhibit gave background as to how the Jim Crow laws of that day were changed and highlighted many of the individuals who brought about the changes.
On the way to lunch at Lucky’s Delicatessen in historic Five Points, the group viewed from the bus the newly renovated Durham Public Library, the original Durham Public Library, and the new Durham Police Headquarters. After a delicious lunch with a wide cross-section of Durham, the group was off to the Hayti Heritage Center and the St. Joseph’s Performance Hall at the Hayti Heritage Center. The cornerstone of St. Joseph’s AME Church was laid at the current location on Old Fayetteville Street in 1891. The church long symbolized the dignity and resolve of the African-American community in Durham. The church fell victim to the “urban renewal” that swept black neighborhoods in Durham during the ‘60s and ‘70s. While the physical church remained untouched, room for growth was cut off by new roads and business, leading to the building of a new St. Joseph’s AME Church further down Fayetteville Street.
Mature Adults learned that when the new church was built in 1970, the original structure became the
catalyst for the formation of the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is
preserving and advancing the heritage and culture of historic Hayti and the African-American
experience through programs that that benefit the broader community locally, nationally and globally.
The church complex is listed on the register of historic national landmarks.
That day, some of Durham’s Mature Adults saw highlights of both old and new Durham and learned
more about what has made Durham the vibrant city it is today. Interested in joining the Mature Adults for another adventure? Visit our website to learn more about the upcoming events in store for our 55 and better residents!
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