Last week, my husband and I went down to Wrightsville Beach for a wedding. Right before we left, I was reading through my grandfather, Richard Harvey Wright Jr.’s archives and found a letter about a trip he and his family took to Wrightsville Beach in 1930. Inserted in the correspondence was a map of WrightsvilleContinue reading “A Trip to the Coast”
Category Archives: Hidden Treasures of Durham
The Bull
I know that many of us, me included, assumed the bull was the trademark of the American Tobacco Company. But for those who think this way, they are as far from the truth as you can get. James Buchanan Duke, the president of the W. Duke Sons and Company, (later to become the American TobaccoContinue reading “The Bull”
The Events of 1901
Yesterday, I spent time going through box twenty-three of the four hundred boxes in my great uncle’s archives. The box was a treasure trove of documents that clearly defined what Uncle Richard was doing in January and February of 1901. If Uncle Richard wasn’t discussing the purchase of tobacco through his Gorman Wright Leaf TobaccoContinue reading “The Events of 1901”
The Complexities of a Man
A few years ago, Julian Shakespeare Carr was at the forefront of the Silent Sam controversy in Chapel Hill. If you do any research, what Julian shared as he was presenting this monument to the University of North Carolina will alarm you. My intention is not to defend him or his actions, but to enlightenContinue reading “The Complexities of a Man”
A Man With No Excuses
What will our future generations have to say about us? Or maybe the question should be, what incredible feats can we say we have accomplished in our lifetime? Richard Harvey Wright lived in a time where good medical care was practically nonexistent and travel was very difficult. But even so, Richard didn’t allow the lossContinue reading “A Man With No Excuses”
A House Long Gone
The year is 1899 and E.J. Parrish, a well known tobacco auctioneer and investor has found himself in financial ruins. This respected man among the Durham citizens has an offer by the Dukes he cannot refuse. He packs his bags and leaves the United States for Japan where, as vice-president of Murai Brothers Company, Ltd.,Continue reading “A House Long Gone”
Duke Gardens
Today, I packed up my computer, glasses, and phone and made my twenty minute drive to my regular parking space off of Duke University Road. As I walked up Chapel Drive, I noticed some potential students taking tours of the campus and a few others walking in the direction of the Chapel. Electric buses whizzedContinue reading “Duke Gardens”
History in the Making
Can you tell a personal story of Durham? A story, when told, brings a smile to your face. I can. One of my first memories of downtown Durham was when I was only twelve. My mom had enrolled me in a sewing class at the Singer store in the heart of downtown. Every Saturday morningContinue reading “History in the Making”
In Quest of the Man
As I stand in the mausoleum, reading the names of my ancestors, a bit of nostalgia flushes over me. A feeling of when I realized that I am a part of an incredible history. Each name etched upon the white marble has a story, but of them all, Richard Harvey Wright’s story screams the loudest. Continue reading “In Quest of the Man”
Discovering the Hidden Treasures of Durham, North Carolina
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 willContinue reading “Discovering the Hidden Treasures of Durham, North Carolina”