To me, the evolution of Durham started with John Ruffin Green and his cured bright leaf tobacco that placed Durham on the map.
Malbourne Angier, a store owner, and a passionate citizen of our city made a huge impact on expanding Durham beyond the few store fronts on Main Street.
And then there is W. T. Blackwell, the father of Durham. This man was known for his generosity when he owned the Bank of Durham.
We all know that Washington Duke was a man that cared deeply for Durham. He was a strong advocate for higher education. I think he would be happy with the University that is named after he and his son, James Buchanan Duke.
E.J. Parrish was known as a gifted tobacco auctioneer. He was a driven man that ended up leaving Durham in 1899, after he lost his wealth in a fire that destroyed his tobacco warehouse on Parrish Street.
Julian Carr is one of the most controversial men in Durham History. He loved Durham and its citizens and was a strong advocate for education among both the white and black population.
So much history lies within the walls of the R.H. Wright mausoleum. To understand the impact these men and women had on the formation of Durham, I would like to invite you to read A Story of Durham: Told the Wright Way
I’m excited to share that my book, A Story of Durham: Told the Wright Way, is now available in hardback!
For the past two years, I have been researching and writing about my grandfather’s uncle, Richard Harvey Wright. When I began my search, I knew very little about this man except that he was one of the founding fathers of Durham, North Carolina. But what I discovered was a story of passion, love, and a determination to succeed with no boundaries. My new book, A Story of Durham: Told the Wright Way, will cause you to reflect on your own history and hopefully create in you a desire to study your past to understand your presence.
Read the first chapter and stay tuned for more update
Love the pictures! JB Duke insisted Duke be named after his father and not him! I have quite a bit of info on the Dukes. My grandfather WP Few was a friend of Ben Dukes and my grandmother was friends with Mary, Ben Dukes daughter. My grandfather and the Dukes are buried in the Duke Chapel. My grandfather is buried in the basement and the Dukes are in the small chapel at the Front of the Chapel. The door next to it leads to the basement where my grandfather is buried. I can probably find the answer to any question you might have about the Dukes!
Dana Few Pope
Thanks Dana. I can’t wait to get together and discuss our connections. Durham has such an interesting history. I’m so glad to have finally had the inspiration to discover it’s rich past. I wonder how many other people right here in Durham have strong ties to the fathers of Durham.
Cora
Good morning Cora, I too am looking forward to chatting about Durham history and the men that made the city what it is today. I am sure there are others who have connections to Durham, but I doubt seriously they have the resources and information I have acquired from my family and collected through various resources over the years! See you soon!
Hey, can you change Gew to Few in my first post, or tell me how to do it? Thanks!
Dana