Oct. 7th Forum – Exploring the Heritage of the Ailey Young House
UPDATE – CHANGE OF DATE: Due to Hurricane Florence, this Town of Wake Forest program has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 7th at 3pm. With a sharp focus on history, … Continue reading
Wake Forest’s Downtown Blacksmith Shop, 1954
It’s surprising to think the Town of Wake Forest still had a blacksmith shop until about 1960. It was where Lumpy’s Ice Cream is today; just an unpainted wooden building … Continue reading
Rain Saves Lives at Olive Branch Baptist Church
It was February 10, 1946 when heavy rain struck–bringing with it a miracle that could be called fate, luck, or Providence. As it was a Sunday morning, the children of … Continue reading
“Doctor” Tom Loses Home by Fire
On the afternoon of January 13, 1923, an out of control blaze destroyed the home of “Doctor” Tom Jeffries in Wake Forest’s northeast neighborhood. Jeffries, born a slave in Virginia, … Continue reading
The DuBois School Athletic Program – In Celebration of Black History Month
To mark Black History Month, the museum is sharing a rare collection of images from the DuBois School. By the time these photographs were taken in 1964-65, school segregation was … Continue reading
A Dancer and a Songwriter – Fame in Wake Forest
Like an echo of the literature, music, and fashion known as the Harlem Renaissance, the African-American community in mid-20th century Wake Forest experienced a surge in creativity, intellectualism, and culture. … Continue reading
A Slave History: Free at Last in Wake Forest
One of the most fascinating articles we’ve found in the archives of the Wake Forest College student newspaper, the Old Gold and Black, tells the story of Ellen Lewis. Also … Continue reading
Olive Branch Baptist Church
During the Civil War, slaves worshipping at Wake Forest Baptist Church broke away to create their own congregation. The Baptist Church leaders offered help, funding and guidance, demonstrating the Christian … Continue reading
“Doctor” Tom Jeffries
Born a slave in Virginia, Tom Jeffries came to Wake Forest College in 1884 and continued working there for 43-years. Students and professors often sought his advice and wisdom, and … Continue reading
The Normal and Industrial School
This was once considered the most important school for African American students in Wake County. Educator Allen Young began building the campus in northeast Wake Forest in 1905, and it … Continue reading
Oral History Film Clips
The museum has just released a 26-minute oral history film funded by a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council. The film was professionally produced and features interviews with three … Continue reading