LGBTQIA+ Historic Context

The Historic Preservation Planning Unit completed the LGBTQIA+ Historic Context Study in 2025. The Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) accepted the report on April 9, 2025. City Council received the final project presentation on April 15, 2025. The final report and project summary are available.

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 uses more focused themed context studies.

In 2019, the RHDC reviewed existing historic designations. They found that the LGBTQIA+ community lacked representation. No properties related to Raleigh’s LGBTQIA+ history were listed at the time. The City also did not have a way to assess potential LGBTQIA+ historic resources for official recognition. The City hired a consultant to complete the LGBTQIA+ Historic Context report.

What Does a Historic Context Do?

Organizes or groups information about historic places that share a common theme.
Identifies places important to a specific community, architect, or cultural event.
Lists known important historic places (both existing and lost).
Contains a short history to help fit those places in the larger context.
Recommends buildings and sites that are eligible for historic designation.
Recommends places for other forms of recognition.
Provides a way to assess places discovered later.

Implementation

The City and its partners are now working on some of the report recommendations.

Raleigh Historic Landmarks

The City is further studying two properties identified in the report. A local landmark designation report is underway for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh (3313 Wade Ave.). A report is also in progress for the former Mousetrap club (1622 Glenwood Ave.).

Other Resources

A series of City and student projects has developed more ways to share what we learned. The tools help us better picture and understand Raleigh's LGBTQIA+ historic places. See the resources below to learn more.

Digital Maps:

List of Identified LGBTQIA+ Places (under development)
StoryMap: Downtown Hotels
StoryMap: Warehouse District

Oral Histories:

Once processed, many new interviews will be available in Raleigh’s Historic Resources and Museum Program Collection Online Database for Oral Histories. Their public access will be based on the specific permissions granted in each release form.

Here is a list of the interviews conducted as a part of this project: