Okay, I know you are wondering why I have a picture of a mausoleum as my first treasure. Well, to be honest, this was where my treasure hunt began and it makes sense it should be the springboard for the blogs I plan to write about this incredible city.
If you look closely, you will see the initials of my grandfather’s uncle, R.H. Wright and the date 1912. Not many of you know much about this man and probably have passed this structure many times without giving it much thought. If you drive down Kent Street as it intersects between Maplewood Cemetery, you will see it as clearly as the nose on your face.
All my life, I have attended funerals of my ancestors where their final burial place ended right here. But not until recently, have I given much thought to this structure and the man whose initials are lifted high for all to see.
A couple of years ago, when my husband and I were cleaning up the debris from the magnolia tree that is on the right side of the mausoleum, my cousin showed up. He pulled out a key that was made in 1912 and unlocked the building. And inside, we were greeted by sixteen vaults with the names of family members engraved into white marble.
Why were these particular individuals chosen to spend eternity together? And even more mysterious to me we’re the family members that weren’t laid to rest within the walls of this structure.
Who was Richard Harvey Wright and what impact did he have on our city? I hope to be able to enlighten you through my blogs as well as my book A Story of Durham, Told the Wright Way which will come out in late summer.
Join me as I uncover hidden treasures of our city and introduce you to the visionaries that created not just a city to visit, but the place I call home.
