Historical Walking Tour: WF Downtown

Join us as we explore a new part of historic Wake Forest every month, including the Wake Forest Historic District, Glen Royall Mill Village, Downtown, the Northeast Community, and the SEBTS campus.

Tours will occur on the fourth Friday of each month unless it corresponds with a holiday weekend.

Explore Downtown Wake Forest

This tour explores the Downtown Wake Forest National Register Historic District. The tour will start at the corner of South White Street and Wait Avenue. Along the way, we will highlight the architectural history of the area and discuss the lives of those who lived and worked in the neighborhood.

In 1874, the train depot was moved from Forestville to Wake Forest, prompting a wave of commercial development in Wake Forest. Almost all of the buildings in downtown Wake Forest were built between 1890 and 1949. Wake Forest College’s relocation to Winston-Salem in 1956 and the construction of the US 1 bypass devastated downtown businesses. The tour will discuss the evolution of downtown Wake Forest and speak about the district’s revitalization in recent decades.

Tour Information

Registration

Walking tours are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.

Meeting Location & Parking

This tour will start near the parking lot on S. White Street, where White Street intersects with Wait Avenue. Plan to arrive by 12:50 pm.

The starting location is near a public parking lot. Street parking is also available.

Tour Duration

Tour times vary, but most run about 90 minutes.

Weather

In the event of rain or extreme heat, tours will be canceled. Registrants will be notified via email. July and August tours will take place inside the Wake Forest Historical Museum to protect participants from heat exhaustion.

Safety

Please be aware of your surroundings while on our walking tours. Most tours involve walking on multiple terrains and you may encounter stairs, sidewalks, cobblestones, pavers, uneven grades, paths, grades, curbs, and grass. Wear suitable footwear and comfortable clothing. Have fun and stay safe.