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Historic Preservation completed the Raleigh's Black Heritage and Historic Places: 1945-1975 project in 2024. The Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) accepted the report on June 18, 2024. City Council received the final project presentation on July 2, 2024. View the final report and project summary.
Background
Part of the RHDC's mission is to identify and recommend properties for historic designation. This includes Raleigh Historic Landmarks (RHL) and Raleigh Historic Overlay Districts (HOD). Listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is also included. City staff learns about new potential historic properties through research. They can make broad updates to the citywide architectural survey records. Staff also use more focused, themed context studies.
Project Details
This citywide architectural survey project began in 2022. The goal was to expand the City’s knowledge of places important to Black history and heritage in Raleigh. This project follows a previous study conducted in the late 1980s. That work resulted in the publication of "Culture Town: Life in Raleigh's African American Communities".
The project focuses on the years between 1945-1975. Research highlights churches, entertainment venues, and the Civil Rights movement. Research also focuses on the work of Black architects and builders, and the Biltmore Hills neighborhood.
The final report includes a list of important historic places (both existing and lost). The project suggests places for listing in the National Register. The report also provides recommendations for further study.
What is an Architectural Survey?
- A tool used to form a comprehensive understanding of a community’s heritage. The survey helps to develop an inventory of important historic places.
- Provides a list of the types, styles, and features of each historic resource present in the study area.
- It can also include an analysis of cultural landscape resources. This includes parks, public spaces, roads, cemeteries, and natural resources in the community.
Implementation
Biltmore Hills
The report recommends that Biltmore Hills could become a National Register Historic District. Neighborhood owners asked the RHDC to prepare the nomination form. Learn more and check on progress at the Biltmore Hills project page.
Preserving Black Churches
In Spring 2025, the RHDC held an informational meeting and a workshop. These events brought together church leaders from Black congregations across Raleigh. The meeting shared information about a nationwide grant program to support historic Black churches. The Preserving Black Churches grant is managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.