The Richard B. Harrison Library stands as a beacon of history and community pride in Southeast Raleigh. More than just a place to borrow books, it’s a tangible reminder of the fight for equal access to education and resources. Its future, however, hangs in the balance due to plans for a Rapid Transit system on New Bern Avenue.
As we observe National Preservation Month, Preservation Raleigh has launched a new initiative: Places in Peril. Our third “PIP” brings attention to the Richard B. Harrison Library, located at 1313 New Bern Avenue.
A Legacy Built on Equity
Founded in 1935, the Richard B. Harrison Library was a cornerstone for Raleigh’s African American community. Mollie Huston Lee, the library’s driving force, curated a remarkable collection of African American literature and local history. These irreplaceable resources chronicling Raleigh’s past, particularly the mid-20th century, are housed within the library’s walls. Among countless artifacts, the original tapes and transcripts from the “Raleigh Roots” oral history project (part of research phase leading to Culture Town book, RHDC’s publication) are housed in the Mollie Huston Lee collection at R. B. Harrison Library.
Originally located in a storefront on East Martin Street, the library opened with a small collection of 890 books. The library was named for Canadian-born Richard Berry Harrison, a noted African American actor and professor of drama. Under Lee’s leadership, and with strong community support, the library thrived. In 1948, it moved to a building with more space for programs on South Blount Street. In 1966, the library merged into the Wake County Public Library System and was relocated in June 1967 to its current location at 1313 New Bern Avenue.
An Architectural Gem Under Threat
Constructed in 1968, the current Wake County Public Library building is a masterpiece of mid-century modern design by renowned architect G. Milton Small Jr. Nicknamed “Small’s Miesian design” for its clean lines and emphasis on horizontal forms, the building is a well-preserved example of this architectural style. This pristine structure stands as a crucial landmark of Raleigh’s segregated past, a physical reminder of the “separate but equal” era. Losing this library would erase a vital piece of Raleigh’s history and dismantle a cornerstone of the Southeast Raleigh community.
Preservation, Not Demolition
While the planned Rapid Transit system offers undeniable benefits, its path shouldn’t come at the cost of our cultural heritage. The library’s estimated value of $3.6 million pales in comparison to its community significance. There are alternative solutions – rerouting the transit line or incorporating the library into the new development. Preserving the Richard B. Harrison Library need not hinder progress; it can be a testament to Raleigh’s ability to honor its past while embracing its future.
The Time to Act is Now
The Richard B. Harrison Library deserves to be cherished, not cast aside. Let’s urge city officials to explore alternative solutions that prioritize both progress and preservation. The library’s story, a testament to the fight for equality, deserves to continue for generations to come.
From the N&O Negative Collection, State Archives of North Carolina. Photo copyrighted by the News and Observer.
May is National Preservation Month, and Preservation Raleigh is launching a new initiative: Places in Peril Our second “PIP” brings attention to efforts to save the original Char-Grill and the historic Elmwood House.
As of April 2024, plans for a 20-story tower in Glenwood South, have stalled. While this may come as a disappointment to some, it presents a golden opportunity for Preservation Raleigh to continue its mission of sustaining Raleigh’s architectural inheritance for everyone’s benefit.
The proposed development, spearheaded by Wilson | Blount, faced hurdles from the outset. A key sticking point was the incorporation of the historic Elmwood house, dating back to 1813, and the beloved Char-Grill restaurant, established in 1959.
The approved rezoning plan included safeguards to preserve both. The Elmwood house was to be relocated, and the Char-Grill location was to be somehow integrated into the new development. While Wilson | Blount has withdrawn from the project for now, zoning remains in place, ensuring that any future development must prioritize saving these irreplaceable pieces of Raleigh’s past.
Elmwood: A Testament to Raleigh’s Rich History
Elmwood, located at 16 North Boylan Avenue, is a 2 and ½-story Federal-style frame dwelling that stands as a testament to Raleigh’s rich history. Constructed between 1810 and 1815, it boasts a classic design with a gable roof, dormers, and weatherboard siding. Throughout the years, the house has seen tasteful additions, including a two-story wing around 1830 and a one-story full-width front porch with a hipped roof added in 1870. These additions showcase the evolution of architectural styles in Raleigh.
Most notably, Elmwood was once home to several prominent figures in North Carolina history. John Louis Taylor, the first Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, resided there. William Gaston, a North Carolina politician and associate justice of the Supreme Court, and Romulus Mitchell Saunders, another prominent politician, also called Elmwood home. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, solidifying its significance as a landmark.
The Char-Grill: More Than Just a Burger
The Char-Grill on Hillsborough Street sizzles with more than just burgers. Built in 1960, it’s a unique piece of Raleigh’s history under threat. The only iconic fast-food restaurant in downtown Raleigh stands as a time capsule. It showcases a bygone era of Modernist design with its flamboyant jet-age accordion roof of convex and concave shapes, its steel porch posts, and its large windows. It’s the only downtown Raleigh restaurant eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
For Raleigh residents, the Char-Grill is more than just a meal. It’s a cherished tradition. Filling out paper orders, watching meals sizzle over an open flame, and enjoying them in the car – these familiar rituals create a comforting atmosphere.
Raleigh often prioritizes new development over preserving significant buildings. The Char-Grill is at risk. While developers plan to remake the block and incorporate the Char-Grill, relocating it into a high-rise wouldn’t capture the full experience.
Saving the Experience, Not Just the Structures
The magic of both Elmwood and the Char-Grill isn’t just about the physical structures themselves. Elmwood embodies the history of Raleigh’s influential residents, and the Char-Grill evokes cherished memories and a sense of community. Losing them erases a piece of the city’s soul.
The Char-Grill, a beloved local landmark, and Elmwood, a historic home, are both part of the heart of Raleigh. Let’s fight to preserve both the original building of the Char-Grill in its current spot and Elmwood’s unique character. This will ensure they continue to be a part of Raleigh’s story for generations to come.
Preservation Raleigh should extend its support so both the Elmwood house and the Char-Grill restaurant are saved. By working together with the city and developers, we can ensure that any future project respects Raleigh’s heritage and incorporates these irreplaceable pieces of Raleigh’s past. This will allow Raleigh to continue to grow while preserving the unique character that makes it a special place to live.
May is National Preservation Month, and Preservation Raleigh is on a mission to safeguard our city’s unique legacy. This month, we’re launching a new initiative: Places in Peril. Our first “PIP” is the Royster House, that unique yellow shingled home you may have noticed on Boylan Ave.
Summary:
History of the House
Dr. Hubert Ashley Royster and Louise Page Royster purchased the house in 1926.
Dr. Royster was a prominent Raleigh physician.
The house is located near several medical centers where Dr. Royster worked.
It retains its original features and has a distinctive design.
Threat of Demolition
The house faces demolition due to development pressures.
A local nonprofit is working to save the house by relocating it.
Efforts to Save the House
The Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood has identified a new location for the house on a city-owned lot.
Preservation Raleigh has added the house to its “Places in Peril” list.
Biography of Dr. Hubert Ashley Royster
Dr. Royster was a prominent physician, author, and humanitarian.
He made significant contributions to medicine in North Carolina and served as President of the NC Medical Society and Dean of the UNC School of Medicine.
He was dedicated to serving his community, regardless of ability to pay.
History of the House
Dr Hubert Ashley and Louise Page Royster purchased the frame house at 121 South Boylan Ave (WA3007; previously WA2647) on 1 April 1926. Dr Royster was by then in his mid-fifties and well-established in his career.
The property is situated on the western edge of downtown Raleigh, two blocks east of the (relocated) Joel Lane House. The rear portion of the property abuts commercial buildings sitting along a Norfolk Southern railroad line at the ‘Wye’. The house is one mile south of the former site of Rex Hospital and just over two miles north of the Dorothea Dix Hospital, where Dr Royster served mentally ill patients free of charge. The house is just over two miles west of St Agnes Hospital. Thus, for his home, Dr Royster selected a site central to these three centers of his work.
The structure has a high level of material integrity. The house retains its original windows and shake siding and exhibits a distinctive plan and porte-cochere style porch. The Sanborn Fire Map shows that as early as 1914 the property included a garage (labelled ‘Auto’ on the map).
The Roysters lived in this house for about five years. Sometime before December 1931, they moved to 2318 Beechridge Rd in Raleigh and named the house ‘Woodlawn’. Between 1931 and 1936 the Boylan Ave house was converted to apartments, like many in the Boylan Heights neighborhood during the Great Depression.
See the thumbnail biography of Dr Royster below. Louise Page Royster was also well-respected in Raleigh. She was a renowned gardener. She was known for hosting parties where she entertained politicians, business owners, professors, poets, musicians, and doctors, and contributed to Dr Royster’s success in social circles. In 1931, while living at ‘Woodlawn’, she hosted Dr Charles Mayo and Mrs Mayo of Mayo Clinic fame, along with 31 doctors from around the country. She remained socially active and supported Dr Royster’s endeavors, medical charities, and community projects through the 1940s. [Abridged and edited from Historic Architecture Survey for Raleigh Union Station, Phase II – RUS Bus Project Wake County, North Carolina (July 16, 2020), https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/historic-preservation-office/PDFs/ER_20-0299.pdf, ‘THE DR. HUBERT ROYSTER HOUSE (WA3007)]
Peril and concern
According to a News and Observer report (12 Dec 2022, updated 5 Jan 2023) by Anna Johnson, a Raleigh nonprofit—the Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood—has identified the house at 121 S. Boylan Ave as an historic structure facing mounting development pressures and potential demolition. Johnson writes, ‘Developers have agreed to let the nonprofit move the home, but they need a place to move [it] to’. For this purpose, the nonprofit has offered to purchase a city-owned parking lot at 411 Morson St, ‘located across from Raleigh Fire Station 3 and catty-corner to the City Cemetery. The Raleigh City Council voted to sell the property as surplus last year’. The nonprofit offered $300K. The minimum bid for the lot is $400K, however, and the City of Raleigh had previously earmarked proceeds from any sale not for preservation but to boost the city’s efforts to provide affordable housing. Still, ‘the nonprofit hopes that [the house] could be moved to the parking lot, if they are able to purchase [the lot]’. That ‘the Royster House at 121 S. Boylan Ave was just rezoned to allow up to 20 stories’ only increases the urgency to move the house as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the City of Raleigh ‘is still moving forward with selling the property to the highest bidder unless otherwise instructed’. Preservation Raleigh has recently added 121 S. Boylan Ave to its list of ‘Places in Peril’.
Biography of Dr Hubert Ashley Royster
Dr Hubert Ashley Royster was a prominent Raleigh and NC physician, author, and humanitarian. He was born in Raleigh on November 19, 1871. Hubert’s father, Wisconsin Illinois Royster, was one of the first doctors in Raleigh and all of NC. Hubert was raised in Raleigh until he attended Wake Forest College at age 17. Dr Royster was born just over three years before Nobel Peace Prize honoree Albert Schweitzer (born Jan 1875 in Kaysersberg, Alsace), but it is possible that he was inspired by Schweitzer’s service to humanity and by the missionary doctor’s philosophy, ‘reverence for life’.
While at Wake Forest, in 1888, Hubert played in the first-ever collegiate football game between Wake Forest and UNC. He lettered in baseball, lacrosse, and tennis, and participated in the debating societies and glee club. After Wake Forest he attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, graduating first in his class on June 9, 1894. In May 1894, he made the highest score ever recorded, a 99, on the NC Medical Board Exam.
After a residency at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Dr Royster moved to Raleigh in July 1895. He fell in love with his future wife, Louise Page of Maryland, when he saw her picture in his best friend’s room and boldly announced that he was going to marry her (his best friend’s sister) someday. After eight years of courtship, Hubert and Louise were married for 58 years, raising three children together.
Upon returning to Raleigh, Dr Royster became the first general surgeon in all of NC and a pioneer in the emerging field of surgery. He wrote three books and at least 140 medical papers. He served as President of the NC Medical Society, President of the Southern Surgical Association, Secretary of the NC Board of Medical Examiners, and President of the Wake County Medical Society (1912). He was a founder of the American Board of Surgery and of the American College of Surgeons. He became dean of the UNC School of Medicine in 1902, partnering with the former dean, Dr Richard H. Whitehead, to start the University Medical Department at Raleigh (1902-10). In 1939, he taught general surgery at Wake Forest College. He served as President of the NC State Literary and Historical Association (1941-42) and as President of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
Despite his national and international laurels, Dr Royster’s greatest impact was in his hometown of Raleigh and across NC. As he wrote, ‘Every member of the medical profession should strive every day to make himself a better doctor; it is also his duty to be a good citizen’. Dr Royster lived that creed by trying to help those who were suffering, whoever or wherever they were and regardless of their ability to pay. He was a surgeon at Rex Hospital (1900-38) and Surgeon-in-Chief at St Agnes Hospital (1899-1941). The latter appointment was significant because St Agnes served African-Americans. As African-American physician Dr Lemuel Delany stated, ‘All . . . physicians who know him honor him because of his superior skill and judgment in the art of surgery and the high sense of justice and sympathy which he has always exhibited toward them’.
In 1921, he helped to start and lead the surgical service at Dix Hospital, which culminated in the construction of a medical building for medical patients. This building, named Royster Building in his honor, still stands today. Dr Royster routinely went to St Agnes Hospital or Dix in the afternoon where he often provided free care. About mental health, he wrote ‘My thesis is simply this: An unbalanced person has as much right as any of us to be made comfortable, to be saved from suffering, to be restored to health, to have life prolonged’.
Dr. Royster’s greatest legacies to Raleigh were the institutions he helped to establish, the standards he set, the physicians he inspired, and the suffering he relieved. Upon his death, the News and Observer published an editorial, stating, ‘His life remains as an example for the future and a part of the best heritage of our past’. Dr Royster lived in Raleigh his entire life except for his early years in training. A friend’s quote about him is still apt: ‘He did not live for himself but for the public good. If you come seeking a monument to him, look around you’. [Abridged and edited from https://www.hubertroyster.com/, ‘Hubert Ashley Royster, M.D.’]
Powell, William S., ‘Royster, Hubert Ashley’, in Dictionary of North Carolina Biography (Chapel Hill: UNC Press, 2000), 5:263; https://books.google.com
Note: The architecture survey named here misidentifies the property owned and occupied by Dr Hubert A. and Louise Royster. The Roysters never owned or occupied 131 S. Boylan Ave. Their home address was 121 S. Boylan Ave. See Wake County Register of Deeds. Historic Architecture Survey for Raleigh Union Station, Phase II – RUS Bus Project Wake County, North Carolina (July 16, 2020), https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/historic-preservation-office/PDFs/ER_20-0299.pdf, ‘THE DR. HUBERT ROYSTER HOUSE (WA3007).
May is National Preservation Month, and Preservation Raleigh is on a mission to safeguard our city’s unique legacy. This month, we’re launching a new initiative: Places in Peril.
Why Preserve?
Preservation isn’t just about protecting old buildings. It’s about honoring the stories they hold, the communities they represent, and the architectural styles that define Raleigh’s character. Preserved structures connect us to our past, fostering a sense of place and community. They breathe life into our neighborhoods and act as vibrant reminders of the people and events that shaped our city.
National Preservation Month: People Saving Places
May is a time for communities across the country to unite and champion the power of historic preservation. This year’s theme, championed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is “People Saving Places.” The National Trust established National Preservation Month in 1973 as an occasion for local organizations like Preservation Raleigh to spotlight preservation programs.
Historic place-savers pour their time, energy, resources (and sometimes a great deal of sweat and tears) into protecting places they care about. Preservation Raleigh echoes this sentiment, recognizing the vital role everyday people play in safeguarding our shared history. The National Trust reminds us that “the work that you’re doing matters.” Your efforts, big or small, are crucial in ensuring that all Americans connect with their past. By preserving historic places, we weave together the intricate tapestry of our nation’s story, leaving a legacy for generations to come.
Places in Peril
Not all of Raleigh’s historical treasures are safe. Development, neglect, and changing times can threaten these irreplaceable landmarks. That’s where Places in Peril comes in.
How You Can Help:
Throughout April, we collected nominations for Places in Peril. Thank you to everyone who participated! While nominations are closed, you can still submit your places on the Nomination Form.
What Happens Next?
The wait is over! Based on the submissions we received, Preservation Raleigh will curate a list of nine endangered properties to feature on our blog and social media channels during Preservation Month. Throughout May, we’ll be sharing in-depth information and engaging stories about these threatened landmarks. Eventually, we hope to organize targeted outreach campaigns to raise awareness and advocate for the preservation of these irreplaceable places.
Together, we can ensure that Raleigh’s unique character and rich history are preserved for generations to come. Let’s safeguard Raleigh’s legacy, one place at a time!
Stay tuned throughout May for more about the Places in Peril look for our first feature, the Dr Hubert A. and Louise P. Royster House.
Have you ever driven past a building in Raleigh and thought, “Wow, that has so much character!” Maybe it’s a charming old house on your street, a grand building downtown, or a quirky storefront in a hidden corner. These historic structures are more than just bricks and mortar – they’re living testaments to Raleigh’s rich past, shaping the unique character of our city. Here are a few places that the Preservation Raleigh board thought of:
125 E South St – the Rogers-Bagley-Daniels-Pegues house
Seaboard Train Station
16 N Boylan Ave – “Elmwood” (RHL)
St. Agnes Hospital
Masonic Building – Blount Street
But sadly, not all of these historic gems are safe. Here at Preservation Raleigh, we’re launching a new project called Places in Peril to shine a spotlight on endangered historic properties in Raleigh.
Why Places in Peril?
Our mission at Preservation Raleigh is to protect and celebrate Raleigh’s architectural heritage. We believe that preserving these historic places strengthens our community, fosters a sense of place, and connects us to the stories of the people who came before us.
But we can’t do it alone!
This April, we’re asking for your help in identifying and raising awareness about endangered historic properties in Raleigh. Do you know of a building with architectural significance that faces demolition, neglect, or inappropriate alteration? We want to hear from you!
*How You Can Help:
Throughout April, we’ll be actively collecting nominations for Places in Peril through this simple online form. We encourage you to submit any historic property you believe is at risk, providing details and even photos if possible.
What Happens Next?
Based on the submissions we receive, Preservation Raleigh will curate a list of nine endangered properties to feature on our blog and social media channels during May, which is also Preservation Month. Eventually we hope to organize targeted outreach campaigns to raise awareness and advocate for the preservation of these threatened landmarks.
Together, we can ensure that Raleigh’s historic character continues to thrive for generations to come.
Let’s save Raleigh’s history, one place at a time!
Raleigh, NC – A non-profit organization has formed to safeguard Raleigh’s cultural heritage. Preservation Raleigh has a clear mission: Securing Raleigh’s Architectural Inheritance for Everyone’s Benefit.
Raleigh is unusual among state capitals because it has not had a dedicated advocacy organization. The result is evident in the loss of buildings that define our history as a city. Teardowns and infill continue at a rapid pace, often altering the once familiar contours of neighborhoods overnight.
“Historic buildings are living testaments to our past,” declares Esther Hall, President of Preservation Raleigh. These architectural treasures, she continues, “serve as a tangible connection to the stories of our community – the people who built them, lived within their walls, and shaped Raleigh’s unique character. By preserving these landmarks, we ensure these stories continue to inspire future generations.”
Renovating existing buildings can also provide a more sustainable alternative to site redevelopment. Cities with active preservation organizations enjoy economic and housing benefits in addition to educational benefits.
Preservation Raleigh is dedicated to becoming the leading voice for historic preservation in Raleigh. The organization is guided by a board of directors with a proven track record in historic preservation and community activism.
Preservation Raleigh is actively seeking volunteers and donors who share their passion for preserving Raleigh’s architectural heritage. For more information and to get involved, visit Preservation Raleigh’s website at https://preservationraleigh.org/. Sign up for their mailing list to receive updates on events, preservation news, and volunteer opportunities.
by Esther Hall, Preservation Raleigh board president
I do not live in an old house or neighborhood. My short attention span limits my enjoyment of museum visits to spend hours pouring over documents and displays. Seldom do I long for the old days and the way things used to be. Antiques do not fill my home from floor to ceiling. I do not have a family tree or know where my people are from. And yet I consider myself a devoted preservationist.
This statement resonates with me and I hope it will with you too. Historic preservation study allows us to reflect upon, and build appreciation for, our history locally, regionally, and nationally. It also creates pathways for people to build connections with one another and learn about the past.
I also like the Cambridge Dictionary’s definition of preservation: The act of keeping something as it is.
Historic preservation is not a thing that happens once; it happens every day, actively, in various fields, through the arts, utilizing science, understanding the natural and cultural landscapes around us, and honoring stories about our heritage.
For me, it is a way to build community through connections. The preservation and renovation of historic buildings can play an important part in revitalizing a neighborhood or community while helping to maintain its local character and unique characteristics. Renovating existing buildings can also provide a more sustainable alternative to site redevelopment. The application of this definition might be an underutilized tool to expand our housing stock in an overdue effort to respond to Raleigh’s lack of affordable shelter.
The act of long-term caretaking of architectural and cultural resources might also inform history more authentically. The intentionality of historic preservation efforts provides us with opportunities to ask, “What is important in our history?” and “What parts of our past can we preserve for the future?”
I am proud to wear the mantle of a historic preservationist. May is National Preservation Month and I warmly invite you to channel your sense of what it means to be a historic preservationist and celebrate by adding your name to the mailing list of the newly formed Preservation Raleigh Inc. in our quest to secure Raleigh’s architectural inheritance for everyone’s benefit.
Are you the owner of a city- or county-designated Local Historic Landmark as of January 1, 2024? If so, look at your land valuation compared to non-designated adjacent parcels to see if the Tax Assessor has taken the historic landmark status into consideration in appraising it for tax purposes. You may find that the revaluation fails to take into account the restrictions on improvements to the land due to the landmark status of the property. If so, you may have a basis to appeal the valuation assigned to the land in your appraisal.
North Carolina General Statutes give specific direction to the county tax supervisor when appraising historic landmark property for tax purposes:
(7) Upon the adoption of the landmark regulation or any amendment to it, the preservation commission gives notice of the regulation or amendment to the tax supervisor of the county in which the property is located. The designation and any recorded restrictions upon the property limiting its use for preservation purposes shall be considered by the tax supervisor in appraising it for tax purposes. [emphasis added].
In Raleigh and Wake County, exterior changes to the designated property must receive a Certificate of Appropriateness based upon conformance with the applicable historic design standards. These standards place additional limitations upon the zoning envelope for improvements to the land generally permitted under the zoning. This reduces the utility and value of the land from what could be developed on otherwise similarly zoned and situated properties.
Reflecting the historic characteristics of the property, these design standards will in most cases limit the buildable footprint area and height for additions, reducing the potential habitable building floor area. The appraised value of land takes into account the zoning entitlements that attach to the parcel that give it value for residential or commercial development and use. A limitation on these entitlements is a limitation on the parcel’s utility, and thus should be recognized in a reduced valuation for the land.
Historic landmark status is effectively an easement upon the parcel that impacts the “bundle of property rights” available to an owner, reducing its potential value.
Every property owner has the right for an informal appeal of their tax appraisal. A carefully constructed analysis of the property should compare the existing landmark characteristics of habitable square footage, buildable area, and height to potential development under the property’s zoning category. The design standards for additions and new construction should be cited in demonstrating the limitations in potential development. The land value can reasonably be expected to be assessed at a 90% rate compared to adjacent and similarly situated parcels.
Sec. 10.2.16. Historic Landmark Designation. Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (these links change frequently as the UDO is updated. If the link is broken, use the table of contents to find Sec. 10.2.16.)
Hello from Raleigh’s oldest new preservation organization! We are more than six decades old, with yet another new name — Preservation Raleigh, Incorporated.
Preservation Raleigh’s 62 year old roots are in the formation of a city advisory group established at the request of citizens concerned about urban renewal by Raleigh City Council on December 18, 1961: The Raleigh Historic Sites Committee. This was quickly followed by its incorporation as the Raleigh Historic Sites Commission on October 3, 1962 so it could raise funds for its work. Thanks in large part to its advocacy, state enabling legislation was passed in 1967 allowing the Raleigh City Council to grant the Commission powers to recommend historic designation and protect properties once designated historic by Council. Over the years names changed as the city program grew and matured — Raleigh Historic Properties Commission, Raleigh Historic Properties and Districts Commission, Raleigh Historic Districts Commission, and today’s Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) — but the goal of protecting the city’s historic resources never changed. Because of its history, this organization had a unique dual organizational structure as both a unit of city government and as a non-profit corporation. City Council-appointed commissioners also served as board members of the non-profit.
With the growth of the City and its preservation program, administration of the City’s preservation program consumed more of the organization’s volunteer board member energy. There are also limits to the kinds of advocacy a city commission can engage in without City Council authorization. In this evolution, the non-profit became less vital to the point that the RHDC Commissioners added a goal to the Raleigh 2030 Comprehensive Plan to encourage the development of an independent advocacy organization. Recently a group of former commissioners saw that the need for independent city-wide advocacy had become acute. In a collaborative spirit, RHDC Commissioners voted in 2023 to spin off the non-profit from the Commission, appointed new board members, and then resigned from the non-profit board. The non-profit’s name was changed to Preservation Raleigh, continuing its tradition of adapting to the times to meet present and future needs.
Preservation Raleigh’s vision is to be the leading preservation advocacy organization in the City of Raleigh. Our mission — Securing Raleigh’s Architectural Inheritance for Everyone’s Benefit — will be advanced by engaging with citizens; through advocacy with City Council and its boards and commissions; through educational outreach to and support for property owners; and, through active support of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission’s Certificate of Appropriateness design review process. Our board members are experienced in corporate governance and have been actively involved in historic preservation service as RHDC Commission Chairs, nationally-recognized preservation professionals and volunteers, and community advocates.
As our community evolves, we evolve with it. Come join us in our work to preserve Raleigh’s rich historic tapestry.
Welcome to the Preservation Raleigh Website. We are in the process of setting up all of the Preservation Raleigh communications channels so the organization can better advocate for local historic preservation. Visit this Blog each month for articles pertaining to our work “sustaining Raleigh’s architectural inheritance”. What exactly does that mean? Check back in February 2024 for the first blog article!
