Preservation Greensboro Tours

Last night, we took one of Preservation Greensboro's walking tours of downtown Greensboro. The theme was the historical equity in Greensboro. We were so lucky to have Benjamin Briggs lead the tour. Benjamin is the executive director of Preservation Greensboro and he can answer just about any question about the history and architecture of our city. There are so many examples of people and places of Greensboro that contributed our community being equitable and acceptable. Benjamin started by explaining how the Quakers' believe that all are equal in God's eyes. This perspective was very forward thinking for the 1700s. Quakers were supportive of the Underground Railroad  (1810- 1850).  Benjamin mentioned the role of Greensboro's institutions of higher education, providing opportunities for marginalized people. We have two HBCUs; two women's colleges. Bennett remains a school for females; UNCG is now integrated. We learned that Moses and Caesar Cone relocated to Greensboro in the 1890's because they felt our community was more open to the Jewish faith than other cities in North Carolina. We learned that the brutalist architecture of Governmental Plaza was designed by an Argentine architect, Eduardo Catalano and that after a 20 year effort it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Benjamin even touched on the trials, tribulations, progressive advances made, and current resources for the LGBTQ community. 

Preservation Greensboro's walking tours are free and open to the public. They have many interesting themes. In spite of the drizzle, we had a dozen participants last night. Some people were from Greensboros, including a woman retired from Wrangler. There were participants from Winston-Salem. Four participants were from France. What a great way to spend the summer solstice, even though it was drizzly and in the 60ºs.

Happy Thursday!

Comments

[Jane Mitchell]

Most informative.

[William Kendall]

There are such walking tours here too.