Durham Civil Rights History Walking Tour

Important pandemic safety rules and protocols.

• All tour goers must register on Eventbrite to be on the tour.

• 20 tour goers are allowed per group tour.

• Meet at "Major" the Bull at the corner of Corcoran and W. Parrish Streets.

Explore Durham’s Civil Rights Legacy with PD’s walking tour. This exciting tour focuses on many of the sites in downtown Durham that were important during the 1950s and 60s Civil Rights movement, including the Durham County Courthouse, the Arts Center (originally Durham High School and later City Hall), the Kress and Woolworth buildings, sites of sit-in protests and the "Confronting Change" exhibit at the Carolina Theatre. Learn about the contributions of ordinary Durham residents to the struggle for equality as well as local leaders like Floyd McKissick and national figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who brought America’s attention to the campaign for civil rights in the Bull City.

“We need not be historians to understand the struggle for equality in Durham and how it played out as the nation confronted the same problems, although on a much larger scale.” – Dr. John Hope Franklin, Honorary Chairman of the tour organizing committee.

Donate or Join us in our efforts to tell Durham's story and preserve Durham's uniqueness!

TOURS AND THE WEATHER

• Tours will start at the Bull sculpture off Parrish and Corcoran Streets.
• Tours may be cancelled on short notice due to extreme heat or inclement weather.
• Tours will be shortened to one hour on days when the temperature is above 90° or below 50°. Please take the weather into account when planning to join a tour. In hot weather, wear a hat and sunscreen and bring a bottle of water. In cold weather, bundle up and bring a cup of hot coffee! For walking tours always wear comfortable shoes.

Tours are also available by appointment for private and school groups with a donation. These tours may be customized. Please contact the office to arrange at 919-682-3036 or [email protected].

Our tours are lead by our fantastic volunteer tour guides – everyday folks who like meeting new people and learning about Durham history. Interested in becoming a tour guide? Further details can be found at our volunteer page.

Photo by Jim Sparks, accessed on 3/21/2019 http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/exhibits/dcrhp/carolina2.php

Host or Publisher Preservation Durham