LGBTQIA+ Historic Context Study

The LGBTQIA+ Historic Context Study is now complete. The final report and project summary are available to read.  

Thanks to all who attended the final community meeting on March 24. The Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) accepted the final report on April 9 and City Council received the final project presentation on April 15.

The City of Raleigh, on behalf of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC), has hired a consultant to prepare a historic context statement. The report identifies places important to LGBTQIA+ history and culture in Raleigh and provides criteria for evaluating future sites for either traditional historic designation or alternative forms of non-regulatory recognition.

This project is a first step to document and recognize historic places important to Raleigh’s LGBTQIA+ community. It is not a comprehensive LGBTQIA+ history of Raleigh or of North Carolina. The final report includes a brief history of Raleigh’s LGBTQIA+ communities, 8 oral history interviews, a list of significant historic places (both existing and lost), documentation of 20 important places, and recommends sites and topics for future research.

Thanks to those who have followed the progress of Phase I, attended the community meetings, and participated in online surveys. Phase II of this project began in July 2024 with a community kickoff meeting. Past meeting summaries and slides are available. Led by MdM Historical Consultants, Phase II builds on the preliminary research and historic places roster developed during Phase I and has delivered a final report for public use.

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Project Details

Type:: Historic Preservation
Date Range:: July 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025
Budget:: $29,000
Project Lead:: Erin Morton Pugh, Senior Preservation Planner
Contractors:: MdM Historical Consultants

Phase II

Community meeting to introduce consultant and provide project updates. (Completed July 31, 2024)
Phase I material review and additional document research. (Completed Summer 2024)
Draft report posted for public comment. (Completed October 27, 2024)
Draft report reviewed by the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC). (Completed October 16, 2024)
Final community meeting to share results of the study and discuss next steps for implementation. (Completed March 24, 2025)
Present final report to the RHDC. (Completed April 9, 2025)
Present final report to City Council. (Completed April 15, 2025)

Phase I

Final project contract executed. (Completed September 27, 2021)
Community meeting to introduce the project. (Completed virtually on October 14, 2021 & in person on June 22, 2022)
Document research. (Completed)
Conduct 8 oral history interviews. (Completed)
Community meeting to provide project updates. (Completed October 19, 2022)
Draft report sections and roster of historic places provided to City staff. (Completed January 2024)

Background

Part of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission’s (RHDC) mission is to identify and recommend properties and neighborhoods for historic designation. This includes Raleigh Historic Landmarks, Raleigh Historic Overlay Districts, and listing in the National Register of Historic Places. City staff identifies previously unknown properties with broad updates to the citywide architectural survey records and by using more targeted theme context studies. Previous context reports prepared include Kit Homes, Architect Leif Valand, and the Method Community.

In response to a citizen request, the RHDC reviewed existing historic designations and found that the LGBTQIA+ community lacks representation. There are currently no properties related to Raleigh’s LGBTQIA+ history listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, there is not a developed context for evaluating potential LGBTQIA+ historic resources for official recognition.

What is a Historic Context Study?

A method of organizing or grouping information about historic properties that share a common theme, place, and/or time.
Identifies places important to a specific community, architect, or cultural event.
Includes a list of known significant historic places (both existing and lost) and a short history to help fit those places in the larger context.
Recommends buildings and sites that are eligible for historic designation or other forms of recognition.
Provides a way to evaluate places discovered later.