Stories About Historic Black Architects and Craftsmen Sought
Brochures with a map of the James Vester Miller Historic Walking Trail are available at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, 36 Montford St. in Asheville.
Do you have stories of Black builders, architects, brickmasons or other artisans who helped construct or design buildings, churches, or houses in North Carolina?
Preservation North Carolina (PNC) is rounding out the research phase for its new education program “We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in North Carolina” and wants to hear your stories!
PNC is developing a multi-year educational program about Black builders and architects in NC, including a traveling exhibit, three-part film, and book. An additional fund is being created to help protect historic places of African-American significance. “We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in North Carolina” will lift up the Black builders and architects who constructed or designed many of North Carolina’s most treasured historic places. The exhibit will cover more than three centuries and will lay the groundwork for a documentary film and book. The exhibit will debut in early 2022.
“We Built This” will build on the research from PNC’s 1998 exhibit, “African American Builders and Architects in North Carolina.” That exhibit highlights the contributions of Black artisans in the construction of many important North Carolina landmarks from the founding of the colony to 1865.
The new “We Built This” exhibit will update the original exhibit and add additional research that covers 1866 to the present, addressing such key subjects as the broken promise of Reconstruction; founding of HBCUs and local Black churches; Jim Crow; segregated public facilities and neighborhoods; Civil Rights era; and rise of new Black professionals. “We Built This” will tell of the talent, perseverance, and resilience of the Black craftsmen and designers who thrived despite the heavy weight of racism.
PNC Wants to Hear From You
Please feel free to reach out to Preservation North Carolina with any information you may have on this subject. Is there someone from your community that you think should be highlighted? No story or lead is too small. Please share your stories with Julianne Patterson at [email protected].
