Your Story Is Part of Durham History.

This resource - an online community archive of Durham people and places - is built by and for the community. A project of the local non-profit Preservation Durham, it helps trace the evolution of our city block-by-block, building-by-building, story-by-story. Your experiences and recollections, your words and images not only matter, they are crucial to documenting and sharing this rich legacy. Browse what others have already contributed, and create an account to add your voice!

Recent Finds

Dr. Joseph N. Mills House

(Courtesy Duke Rare Book and Manuscript Collection / scanned by Digital Durham) 1211 Fayetteville was the Durham home of Dr. Joseph Napoleon Mills, a notable doctor from Kinston, North Carolina. Dr. Mills came to Durham circa 1908 after attending the Leonard Medical School at Shaw University. Dr. Mills was a general practitioner who specialized in...

Henry & Laura Burnett House

Henry And Laura Burnett House

Henry Burnett built 1208 Fayetteville in 1910 for his family, including his wife, Laura Burnett, and children Henry Burnett Jr., Frank Burnett, Catherine Burnett, and Nannie Burnett Smith. Henry was a delivery driver/chauffeur, and Laura worked as a maid and cook. Henry passed away in 1928 at the estimated age of 45. Laura was a part of many local...

Photos of Nurse-Pearson house, dated April 1981

Nurse-Pearson House

Aubrey St. Clair and Sarah Nurse were the original owners of 1215 Fayetteville, living in the home when it was built in 1925. The home was a Sears & Roebuck house, specifically the Westly model. Aubrey was a dentist, and Sarah was a domestic worker. They are only noted to have lived in the home for a year according to the Hill City Directories. Drs...

Recent Tours

Queer History of Durham Gride Photos

Queer History of Durham

Queer History of Durham Zine (Color) Queer History of Durham Zine (Black and White) Queer History of Durham Game This tour grew out of a project from the Queer Public History class at North Carolina State University, taught by Dr. Megan Cherry. My cohort, Karina Burbank, and I (Julia Lasure, Membership and Programs Coordinator at Preservation...

Preservation Durham 2025 Home Tour Program Cover

2025 Annual Home Tour: The Golden Anniversary

Cover designed by Pam Lappegard. Click on the cover to view the entire program. The Impact of the Historic Plaque Program Since its inception in 2001, Preservation Durham’s Historic Plaque Program has been a powerful tool for sharing local history, fostering appreciation for historic architecture, and advocating for preservation. These markers...

Recent Comments

kris commented on 1202 Holloway - Holloway Street Christian Church

Found in an old deed the church changed its name from Holloway Street Christian Church to First

Bossman06 commented on Holloway Street School

I attended Holloway Street School from the 1st to 6th grade starting around 1953. My first grade

WilliamChestnut commented on South Square

I know I am late to the dance, but let me add my 2 cents worth. I helped build South Square Mall

sambad1 commented on 410 Watts Street / Trinity Park

Looking for today’s Dear Lottery Result? You’ve come to the right place! We regularly update the