With the restoration of The Gables inn making headlines, Raleigh’s 1930s roadside history is stepping back into the spotlight. Long before I-95, U.S. Route 1 ran down Wake Forest Road and Person Street, inspiring homeowners to open “tourist homes” to weary drivers. Explore the rise of these early bed-and-breakfasts, the story behind The Gables, and the surviving historic structures that still line the Mordecai corridor today.
Tag Archives: historic-preservation
Action Alert: Protect Section 106 from Harmful Changes
Proposed changes to federal law Section 106 threaten vital preservation protections. From Raleigh neighborhoods to historic sites across North Carolina, essential public oversight is under threat. Learn how these regulatory rollbacks impact our community and take action today.
The Litchford House: Why Early Action and Historic Preservation Regulations Matter
As Rezoning Case Z-43-25 moves forward, the fate of this 1903 landmark highlights the state of local historic protections in North Carolina. Read about the history of the Litchford House and learn why proactive, early advocacy is the best option for preservation.
Hidden Gems Tour – NC State Memorial Belltower
On Sunday, June 21, 2026, Preservation Raleigh invited their supporters to join a special “Hidden Gems Tour” of NC State University’s Memorial Bell Tower, the most sacred space on campus.
Places in Peril: The Rufus J. Ivey House
The Rufus J. Ivey House, a historic 1872 brick residence in Wake County, faces demolition risks due to neglect and development pressures. Although listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it lacks protection as it isn’t a local landmark. Advocates urge for landmark designation to preserve and protect this historic home.
Places in Peril: Former Hellenic Orthodox Church
Tucked away at 211 S. Person Street is a vital piece of downtown Raleigh’s cultural history. Built by a community of 25 families in 1938, the former Hellenic Orthodox Church represents the neighborhood scale, materials, and diverse heritage that defined the eastern edge of Moore Square. As the surrounding block transitions to high-density development, Preservation Raleigh revisits this unprotected landmark to ask how we can save it.
The Wright-McMillan House
Place in Peril: This beautiful home located at 216 Hawthorne Road in Forest Park is currently on the market for $3.2 million. While the price reflects the home’s size and prime location, it also places the property in a precarious position.
Preservation 101: Understanding Easements
Easements have emerged as a vital legal tool for protecting land and historic properties across North Carolina. As part of our “Preservation 101” educational series, we are taking a closer look at how these agreements function to safeguard our architectural inheritance. Essentially, an easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a property owner and a qualified preservation organization or public agency.
Reflections on a Year of Advocacy and Action
From advocacy work to the success of The Toilet Tour, 2025 was a year of major growth for Preservation Raleigh. As we enter 2026, we’re looking back at the milestones that defined our mission and the community that made it possible.
Ligon at Risk: Controversy Surrounds Renovation Plan
Learn more about the history of the Ligon School and the current controversy surrounding its impending renovation by WCPSS. Discussion has been whether to renovate the existing historic building or replace it with a new structure, a topic that has generated substantial community interest and debate. This building has been identified as Place in Peril.