1712 FAYETTEVILLE
North Carolina Central University continues to chip away at African-American history in the College Heights neighborhood, with imminent plans to demolish the above house, which was the Alex Rivera residence. Mr. Rivera was NCCU’s first publicity director and founder of NCCU’s News Bureau, but was more widely known as a prominent civil rights photographer who also worked for the Nixon administration. Rivera lived here at least from 1954-62. The house exterior was heavily modified during the 1950s-60s.
One of Rivera's well-known photographs: "Mother and Child"
The house was originally built in the early 1900’s by Rivera’s first wife’s family. Mrs. Edwards, his mother-in-law, was a music teacher in the early years of the school.
NCCU has been intent on destroying many of the homes of Durham's prominent African-American leaders. In 2003, the Stanford Warren house was saved from NCCU's wrecking ball through the efforts of the (then) Historic Preservation Society, when we worked to move the house from Brant to Pekoe Street.
We were, unfortunately, unable to save the house of RN Harris, who was the first African American city council member (1953), the first African-American appointed to the Board of Education, one of the founders of the Committee on Negro Affairs, and a trustee of Lincoln Hospital. The R. N. Harris Elementary School was named in his honor. That house was demolished by NCCU before the Historic Preservation Society could find the money to try to move it.
The school recently demolished another house in College View, 411 Pekoe.
411 Pekoe
Universities are notorious for their dim view of community historic preservation, but NCCU's stance, given the degree of notorious demolition of African-American history that occurred several blocks to the north is surprising and disappointing, to say the least.
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7 comments:
Is NC Central using federal or state funding to demolish these houses? Can section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act be invoked to stop or delay them?
Could someone put on your site some pictures of the old Hillside High school and J.A.Whitted Jr. High schools which was the original Hillside High School. Also the old Durham Business College which was located on Fayetteville Steet. Just like some of your comments,the old Business school is now a vacant lot. Also Muhammed Ali dedicated the school gym back in 1974( or either in 75). I think the gym is now a church. By the way keep on doing this because I think this is great.
Anon1 - I believe they are using state funding to demolish houses, which means that Section 106 does not apply
Anon2 - thanks for your comments - just me here. I plan to do extensive posting on Hayti / College View in a few months. Thank you for the info about Muhammad Ali - I wasn't aware of that.
GK
Me again-J.A.Whitted is still up but it was renamed "The Operation Breakthrough Building". Its on Umstead St.
Perhaps there is a "stay" granted from the state on Wednesday?!? Would this warrant a new post?
- Olie
this just in... from city manager bonfield's email report:
"NCCU Awarded $655,077 for Neighborhood Revitalization
North Carolina Central University was one of 13 historically black colleges and universities awarded funds to help revitalize neighborhoods near their campus. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston made the announcement at the 2008 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference in Washington. 'Historically black colleges and universities are anchors for economic development in their communities, and I'm pleased HUD can play a role in helping to support the neighborhoods that surround these important institutions of higher learning,' Preston said.
A tad ironic, no?
Evidently a stay of execution was granted, because 1712 is still there as of 1/2010. Boarded up, but still standing.
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