Black Stories of Durham’s Past & Present 

Telling stories of Durham’s past and present

Like much of the antebellum South, Durham was home to several plantations during the 1800s, including Stagville, one of the largest in the region. Approximately 900 enslaved Black people lived and worked on its 30,000 acres. These individuals' lives are well documented: they worked as laborers, skilled craftsmen, and artisans who built most of the plantation buildings. Within their quarters, rich cultural traditions were cultivated, including crafts, music, dance, and social customs often continued from African origins.

Reclaiming history with present-day business ventures

Durham has a strong history of diversity and entrepreneurial prowess. Black Wall Street became a moniker for Durham's West Parrish Street, a hub of Black-owned business that blossomed during the early 1900s. What you may not have read in your school textbooks was the thrilling historical narrative of Durham's unapologetic position as a successful urban epicenter at the turn of the century.

Any blank space can become a canvas in Durham, and it's common to see murals on walls, crosswalks, and electrical boxes. Not only do murals add vibrant colors and energy to this city, but some of them highlight Black history, culture, and artists. Enjoy this guide dedicated to celebrating some of Durham's Black stories.

Continuing the tradition of storytelling to learn historical truths

Far from iron encased behind glass facades, Black history lives and breathes among Durham streets traversed for generations. Markers, murals, homes, and heritage coalesce to honor the stories of our African American community, and here, we humbly continue in the treasured tradition of storytelling. We encourage you to explore Durham’s African American Heritage Guide to learn about the people, places, and events that helped shape Durham into what it is today.

Visiting a few of Durham's historically Black neighborhoods and communities

The Hayti, West End, and East Durham districts contain endless riches just beyond a passing glance; these are the neighborhoods where locals have invested in a different kind of beauty — one that is born from grit, perseverance, and a deep commitment to maintaining the fabric of a city that has and continues to evolve and expand.

In some ways, these neighborhoods have preserved the essence of what originally drew Durham’s entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders to build lives here, and it is the preservation of these districts that continue to attract the best and brightest minds in the Bull City.