As a proud born and raised North Carolinian, my rebranding to “I’m Fixin’ To” reflects my passion for sharing the unique stories and hidden gems of my beloved state. Each year, I delve deeper into my personal interests, particularly the rich tapestry of local history that shapes our community. In celebration of Black History Month, I am excited to highlight some of the most significant places that honor and celebrate Black history in North Carolina. These sites offer invaluable insights and experiences that are worthy of exploration year-round. As I continue exploring Black history, here are 10 must-visit sites in North Carolina.
Here are more historic sites to explore around the state and in western North Carolina.
This post on the best places to visit to honor Black History in North Carolina was originally published in February 2019 and has been updated and recirculated for 2026.
Exploring Black History: 10 Must-Visit Sites in North Carolina
African American Heritage Trail – New Bern
Photo via Tryon Palace
As North Carolina’s first state capital, New Bern has a well-documented Black history dating back to the early 1700s. This walking guide explores the city’s complex history from the 1700s through the 1960s. One highlight I discovered was the sit-ins that occurred on March 17, 1960, at the S.H. Kress and Co. Store and Clark’s Drug Store—events I knew nothing about before taking the tour. New Bern has been adding Black history resources to its site and there are more opportunities to explore and contextualize here.
Start the African American Heritage Trail at The History of Craven Terrace (Panels) at 333 Cedar St. New Bern, NC 28560.
Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum – Gibsonsville, NC
Photo via Heritage Salon
Founded in 1902 by Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Palmer Memorial Institute transformed the lives of more than 2,000 African American students. Today, the historic campus offers visitors a unique glimpse into the environment where boys and girls lived and learned throughout much of the 20th century. The museum connects Dr. Brown and Palmer Memorial Institute to broader themes in African American history, women’s history, social history, and education, while highlighting the contributions of African Americans in North Carolina.
Charlotte Hawkins Browns Museum is at 6136 Burlington Rd, Gibsonville, NC 27249.
Duke Chapel – Durham, NC
A few years ago, I wrote an article for a local publication detailing the history of Duke Chapel in Durham. My research uncovered fascinating details I had not known before, including the tragic fact that architect Julian Abele was never able to see his finished masterpiece in person—as a Black man, he was barred from campus during that era. In 2016, the university dedicated Abele Quad in his memory and honor. The quad extends northward to Chapel Quad, where Duke Chapel rises dramatically in the background. Inside the chapel itself, a dedicated space now commemorates Abele’s history and his significant contributions to the Duke community.
Duke Chapel is at 401 Chapel Dr, Durham, NC 27708
Harriet Jacobs Trail – Edenton, NC
Photo via Historic Women of the South Coast
Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery in Edenton, NC, escaped to freedom, and became an influential author and abolitionist. Her book was an autobiographical account of her enslavement and is one of the most comprehensive accounts of enslavement. Visitors can take self-guided tours through Edenton to explore the places she lived and wrote about, or join guided tours for deeper insights into her life and influence in eastern North Carolina. For more information, click here.
Tours depart from the Historic Edenton, State Historic Site Visitor Center at 108 N. Broad Street, Edenton.
If you are in Winston-Salem, take a tour through MESDA at Old Salem because the staircase and hallway that she described during an extreme beating from her enslaver is on display. It has been in MESDA since its opening in 1965 and was discovered in the 1990s to be from the home in Edenton. Learn more about the discovery and the staircase here.
MESDA is at 924 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture Charlotte, NC
Photo via Arch Daily
Named after the city’s first African American mayor, the Gantt Center features a mix of rotating and permanent exhibits. It offers enriching experiences for visitors of all ages, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in African American culture. Learn more here.
Harvey B. Gantt Center is at 551 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Hayti Heritage Center – Durham
Photo via Hayti Heritage Center
The Hayti Heritage Center in Durham is located in what was once a thriving business and residential district that Booker T. Washington called “Black Wall Street.” The center offers diverse programming that preserves and advances the heritage and culture of historic Hayti and the broader African American experience, benefiting the entire community. For more information on programming and events, visit their website.
Hayti Heritage Center is at 804 Old Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27701.
Hidden Town Project: Uncovering Old Salem’s Unique African American History – Winston-Salem, NC
Photo via Visit Winston-Salem
Called Hidden Town, the groundbreaking project draws on the vast resources of the Moravian Archives in Winston-Salem which safeguards the records of the Moravian Church in the South and includes photos and artifacts ranging from maps and historical data to journal entries, preserved objects, and personal memoirs. The records provide historical information that is not typically available for enslaved people. Old Salem is building information on individuals and the dynamics of the community with the goal to reconstruct a portrait of life for African Americans that has been largely overlooked, much like a hidden town living underneath the surface.
If you are unable to get to Winston-Salem to experience this for yourself, check out this website with their virtual resources.
Old Salem is at 600 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Hillsborough’s African American History, A Walking Tour – Hillsborough, NC
Photo by GloryRoze Photography for I’m Fixin’ To
Hillsborough had an unusually large population of freed Black residents in the antebellum era—a rarity for a small Southern town. African Americans created their own vibrant communities within the larger town, many of which can still be seen today. While much of this history has been overlooked and lost over time, historians are now bringing renewed focus to this important chapter of Hillsborough’s past and making discoveries that Alliance volunteers are excited to share. Click here for background information to begin this walking tour.
Begin at Still Branch is at 157 E King St, Hillsborough, NC 27278.
Be sure to visit the Burwell School and learn about Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly, who was enslaved there before purchasing her freedom and becoming Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker at the White House. In 1868, Elizabeth published a book detailing her experiences: Behind the Scenes, or Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House.
Burwell School is at 319 N Churton St, Hillsborough, NC 27278.
International Civil Rights Center & Museum – Greensboro, NC
Photo by TT Photography for I’m Fixin’ To
Located in downtown Greensboro‘s historic F.W. Woolworth building, the International Civil Rights Center & Museum brings history to life by celebrating the nonviolent sit-in protests of the 1960s. Permanent exhibits include the F.W. Woolworth’s Lunch Counter, Presenting: the A&T Four, and Experience the Battlegrounds. Special and rotating exhibits are displayed on the museum’s first floor—for the current lineup, visit this page. While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are highly recommended.
International Civil Rights Center and Museum is at 134 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401.
Life on the Lesser Stairs at Tryon Palace – New Bern
Tryon Palace has been expanding its Black history resources, including the addition of the “Life on the Lesser Stairs” exhibit. This tour takes visitors down the back staircase to the lower level of the Palace, the stables, and the kitchen office, and is included as part of the standard Tryon Palace tour. Learn more here.
Tryon Palace is at 529 S Front St, New Bern, NC 28562.
The Historic Magnolia House – Greensboro
The historic Magnolia House is not only an important landmark in Greensboro, it also serves exceptional Sunday brunch and Wednesday night jazz dinner. Their fried chicken and fried fish, shrimp, and grits are menu staples—and I cannot recommend the fish, shrimp, and grits enough. It was absolutely incredible. Make a reservation for brunch while you are in town, and be sure to check out their community events as well.
Magnolia House is at 442 Gorrell St, Greensboro, NC 27406.
Maritime Underground Railroad History Tour – Edenton, NC
At Edenton‘s Colonial Waterfront Park, join the Maritime Underground Railroad history tour to learn about the network of Black watermen who helped arrange passage to freedom for formerly enslaved people. The tour includes information on Harriet Jacobs, whose work provided one of the few written accounts of the network. For more information, click here.
Edenton’s Colonial Waterfront Park is at 510 S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932.
St. Philips Moravian Church – Winston-Salem, NC
Photo via The Moravian Church
St. Philip’s Moravian Church, located in Old Salem, is the oldest standing African American church in North Carolina. Built in 1861, the church was where the Union victory in the Civil War was announced to Winston-Salem‘s community in 1865. The historic brick church is part of Old Salem Museum & Gardens.
St. Phillip’s Moravian Church is at 911 S Church St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Final Thoughts
While this is not an exhaustive list of places to explore Black history in North Carolina, it represents sites I have personally visited and found valuable for learning and reflection. Visit NC maintains an additional list of locations here, and I welcome your recommendations at imfixintoblog@gmail.com.
As a student of history, I am passionate about learning from the past to build a better future. Black history is American history, and I look forward to seeing these sites continue to evolve their offerings as our understanding of history deepens and becomes more fully contextualized. Learning about diverse heritages and experiences provides an opportunity to acknowledge our country’s imperfections—and by confronting the uncomfortable parts of our shared history, we create space to grow as a society while celebrating the progress we have made.
Use this interactive map to help plan your trip!
