Greensboro Daily Photo

Irving Park United Methodist Church

Irving Park United Methodist Church opened in the 1950s at a time when the Irving Park and Kirkwood neighborhoods were expanding. It is located at the corner of West Cone Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue on three acres. Not only do they have a thriving congregation, they host a boy scout troop and many other groups. The above photo is of the sanctuary one Saturday morning when one person was inside, possibly the preacher or the music director preparing for Sunday service. The stained glass windows were so beautiful and cast a warm glow in the sanctuary. The windows are an abstract design, as opposed to windows that teach about the Bible. The church looks very different when filled with people. With or without people, however, it is lovely.

Happy Sunday!

150 Trees Recently Planted at Bennett College

Do you see that young magnolia tree? It is one of 150 trees planted on the campus of Bennett College on November 2nd. In collaboration with with Greensboro Beautiful, volunteers planted these trees-- a combination of willow oaks, white oaks, cherry laurel, sugar maple, and southern magnolias. They were planted to help restore historic and native trees that have been lost over the years.  Bennett staff member, Dr. Anne Hayes, Executive Director of Global & Interdisciplinary Studies at Bennett,  coordinated the partnership with Greensboro Beautiful.  

Greensboro Beautiful is a 501 (c) 3 organization founded in 1968 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the beauty and ecology of Greensboro. According to Christina Larson, Chair of Greensboro Beautiful's Executive Committee, there was actually enough space on the Bennett campus to plant over 200 trees; however, 150 seemed very special since this is the 150th anniversary of the founding of this historically black college for women in east Greensboro. Current Bennett students should take their photo with these trees, return to Founders Weekends in the future and monitor how much the trees have grown. They can show their children and grandchildren their photos with the trees over the decades.  Bennett College is a small, liberal arts college that provides students with many special experiences such as the tree planting, interaction with Fulbright scholars, and the She Wellness Pods we wrote about last week.  By the way, the green container is the back of the wellness pods.

Happy Wednesday, dear readers!

Ruth Rachel Roberts

Ruth Rachel Roberts died on August 16, 2017, at the age of 96. She would have been 103 this year. The above photo was taken at the estate sale held at her home on 4235 Ashland Drive. We wish we'd met Ruth*  and interviewed her for GDP; she lead such a long and interesting life.  We are grateful for our friend, local singer/performer Jessica Mashburn, for urging us to attend the estate sale.  Jessica was right. The house and its contents are quite a time capsule and window into Ruth's life that was as full as her house. Ruth graduated from Greensboro Senior High School (Grimsley)  in 1938 and went on to work for and retire from the United States Internal Revenue Service.  One of eight children, in her family, she was the last living member of her generation. The contents reflected a century's worth of household items and collections.

We photographed the wooden skate in the living room as Ruth was a competitive roller skater, traveling for competitions. She also officiated for competitions. Ruth was a master seamstress, making her costumes as well as clothing for daily wear. She was also an avid doll collector and was a member of Piedmont Doll Club. We're estimating there were still 300 dolls for sale in the last hours of the last day of the estate sale.  In addition to sewing, Ruth was a talented crafter. Boxes and boxes of crafting supplies and yards and yards of fabric were available at the sale.  Among other crafts, Ruth was known for making Chrismon ornaments-- ornaments with Christian symbols on them to remind people that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. **  Ruth was a lifelong member of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant and taught Sunday school there. Signs of her spirituality were seen everywhere in the house, from her craft projects to her book collection. 

The four bedroom 2.5 bathroom house was built in 1920, the year before Ruth was born. Wendover Avenue, built in the 1930s, ten years after the construction of the house,  is literally in the backyard of this 1/3 acre property. We're betting some of their property was taken to construct the road which grew and widened over Ruth's life. Somehow, when walking through the tan stucco house with minimal, if any, remodeling over the years, you imagine women in cotton dresses cooking and sewing; and men sitting, reading the paper, and smoking a pipe.  The sights and sounds of Wendover are hardly noticeable. Here's to a life well lived.

 

*  as she is referred to in her obituary,  the source of information shared in this post.

** The word is a combination of the words Christmas and monogram. Frances Kipps Spencer of Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, created the first Chrismon tree in 1957. 

 

 

Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear

Earlier in the week, leaving the celebration for Justice and Mrs. Frye and heading to our car, we noticed this window at Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear at 226 South Elm Street. Seeing those eyes staring back at us in purple and burgundy caused us to reminisce about a time, decades ago. Back in the day, storefronts were the Internet and social media for a store. Grocery stores posted ads of what was on sale, what was not available. Clothing stores dressed mannequins that drew y ou in. Consumers went "window shopping." Doing window displays was a popular profession.

In the 21st century, storefronts simply don't have that same allure. But look at how the Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear window draws you in. Their windows are always so creative and change often; same with their trendy glass frames. Their inventory is constantly changing. Decorating a downtown window  seems so appropriate. As for the 200 block of South Elm Street, here is what the documentation for the "National register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form" has to say about the 200 block of South Elm.

"This area contains the most architectural diversity of any part of the district, Here are found the simple Italianate structures of the late 1880's, 1890's and early 1900's, as well as the Art Deco buildings of the 1920's and 1930's and the modern structures of the 1950's and 1970's. The entire area is included because all structures fit together so well to form a complete sereetscape of both sides of the street and show such a wide range of architectural styles. Most of the structures are two-stories in height, although a few do rise to three and four stories."

Happy Saturday, a perfect time to go window shopping and reflect on what you see.

911 Memorial Stair Climb

It has been 23 years since the terrorist attacks in the USA. Around this time Greensboro holds an annual stair climb to honor the first responders who lost their lives that day. Greensboro has held this stair climb for 5 years. Greensboro firefighters, community members,  and police participated. Initially, the stair climb was held at the Bellemeade Parking Deck, recently, it has been held at the Eugene Street Parking Deck, at 215 North Eugene, directly across from the Grasshoppers stadium- First National Bank Field. The happening of the event usually coincides with the NC Folk Festival. The memorial for Sandy Bradshaw, the Greensboro flight attendant who died on United Airlines Flight 93 is located beside the stadium.

It is hard to believe that some of the first responders had not yet been born in 2011. The Eugene Street Deck opened a little over three years ago, in June of 2021. As this part of downtown sees more growth, this public parking deck will be a great asset to the community. Even though the run is over, let us remember 9/11 and hope an event like those on that day in 2001 never happen again on US soil

113 Kensington

This house at 113 Kensington Road always catches our attention when we walk to the Corner Farmers Market. This brick home was built in 1925, has almost 1/2 an acre, a 3-car garage, and four bedrooms and three baths. That is a might big house for 99 years ago in Sunset Hills. It even has a basement, and a walk-in pantry. We're betting that the original owners had help for entertaining in this house.

About the time this house was built, Cone Mills was firmly established in the textile industry.  Burlington Industries had opened in 1923. The Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co. had been in business for 20 years.  Greensboro had many tobacco-related operations in the 1920s. Also, at that time, railways were a primary mode of passenger traffic as well as transporting freight.  Being so close to West Market Street, this house would have had easy access to downtown, including  street car service. The Sunset Hills neighborhood is now 100 years old. Every home owner of a house from 100 years ago should maintain records of the history of their home's history- since the walls can't talk. The history museum and public records are two great places to find information.

Happy Tuesday!

Open Pasture on Highwoods Boulevard

We learned from a Triad Business Journal article (3/22/23) that a planned community of 136 single family homes will be built on the above 16.2 acres between Hobbs Road and Jefferson Village Shopping Center. Yesterday, we noticed that a road has been cut through and machinery is being put into place. This is one of the remaining undeveloped parcels of land that is part of the 414 acre property on New Garden Road.  The Jefferson-Pilot Club was located there for 73 years. All employees were entitled to use the club. It was open from 1924- 1997.*  Nearby Price Park and the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library are two small parcels of the land that are open to the public. The public school, Jefferson Elementary, was also built on the Jefferson-Pilot land.

The road reveals the rocky, red clay soil so common around here. The land is fairly flat, so it should be relatively easy to build and homeowners will be surrounded by plenty of shopping.  It was such a beautiful day yesterday. Look at those clouds and notice, dead center in the photo, a bird is flying overhead.  As Greensboro, and all of North Carolina, really, continues to be developed. we hope there is some kind of master plan for green spaces and for land to remain undeveloped. Everybody deserves to sit and take in nature as seen here.

Happy Monday!

* see Jim Schlosser's article in the News & Record, HERE.

Mojud Lofts

Mood Lofts are located at 1001 South Lindell Road, back between the railroad tracks at Oakland Avenue and Spring Garden Street, behind Hops Burger Bar. The apartments will offer, not only housing, but also communal space and many amenities, including a fitness room, a saltwater pool,  and a courtyard. This building has been empty for so long, it is nice to see it being repurposed and put to good use. The building's roots date back to the 1920s when Greensboro was a thriving mill town. At first, we thought the name came from another language, possibly Arabic. However, it appears to be a mix of two of the original hosiery mill executives: Mock and Judson. One, two, and three bedroom apartments. The architects have designed floor plans that keep as much of the historic elements as possible while adding new, clean, and modern amenities. Here's what the property looked like a few years ago when the transformation was getting underway. The view from this photo in 2014 is the same corner of the building you see in today's photo. It is hard for us to realize when we were out taking photos ten years ago that we were actually documenting some of the history of Greensboro. If you follow the links, you can see some "then and now" shots. 

If you get a chance, drive to Hyatt Street, back by the Sherwin Williams Paint Company and see the change to this part of town. Now, we're wondering what will become of the empty lot across the street of the MoJud Lofts, the place that formerly housed a mobile home community. Can you think of anything we should photograph now that will look entirely different another ten years from now? If so, let us know.

Read more about the interesting history of the mill, HERE.

Happy Wednesday!

Relics of the Past

Relics of the past. We love finding memorabilia of items related to Greensboro. The above leather, metal-zippered, envelope pouch likely insurance policy papers. It was used at the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company which was located in the building they built at 101 North Elm Street, at the corner of Market Street. The building was completed in 1923. Jefferson-Standard became Jefferson-Pilot and in 2006, the company was sold and became Lincoln Financial Group- what you see on the building today if you are in the area.*

In 1967, Jefferson Standard merged with Jefferson Pilot, to form Jefferson Pilot Corporation. Therefore, we are concluding that this zippered envelope can be dated between 1923 and 1967. We're hoping that someone who worked there or who had one of these can share details with us. We saw an old listing for one on eBay, but no information comes up about it.  Now, with so many transactions being online  and so few "give aways," this is a relic of the past, not unlike those zippered pouches for transporting cash to and from the bank. Do you have any Greensboro artifacts that tell stories of the people and places? Be on the lookout for them when you are out and about this weekend. Even if you don't purchase them, snap a photo. If you have something you don't want, see if the Greensboro History Museum would like it. 

See you downtown at FIRST FRIDAY tonight!

 

* See more details in the archives of the Greensboro History Museum, HERE. 

New Light Missionary Baptist Church

New Light Missionary Baptist Church has a rich history, dating back to 1891.  In the earliest years, it was in a different location. The above building, that also has a family life center behind is located at 1105 Willow Road, across from Dudley High School. The pastor, loved by the community, is the Rev. Dr. Cardes Brown Jr. who has served New Light since 1975. While originally from Rocky Mount, the son of a preacher, he first came to Greensboro to attend North Carolina A&T State University, and decided to make Greensboro his home.  He is so loved by the community that the City of Greensboro has named the portion of Willow Road where the church is located, Rev. Dr. Cardes Brown Jr.  Rev. Dr. Brown serves community not only in a spiritual way, but also by serving many groups committed to social justice. Read more about him HERE.  His wife, Diane Piece Brown, serves alongside him.

Service times are 7:30 am and 10:45 am on Sunday mornings, with Sunday School at 9:30 am. They also have mid-week opportunities to worship on Wednesday with lunch served at 12 noon and a service at 7:00 pm. And, for those who can't get out, or in need of another opportunity for prayer, there is an 8:00pm prayer line on Thursdays. This is one of those churches committed to helping the community in any way it can. As a missionary Baptist church, they evangelize both locally and globally. In a world where everything is changing so quickly, it is refreshing to learn of a community like New Light that has had decades of stability.

Happy Sunday!

Continental Club

How will you spend the weekend in Greensboro? The above photo is of a banjo player, yes, a banjo player, heading into the Continental Club on 816 South Elm Street. This is a great place fore music and dancing. The venue is located in a building that was originally "The Mill" a landmark and historical place. It is so great to see those historic buildings put to good use. It sold in 2016 and has been a hub of activity since then. If you are out this weekend, head downtown Greensboro and check out some of these historic properties that are getting a new life. The above property was originally the 1910 North State Milling Company. See a wonderful 2 minute video HERE.

Happy Saturday and happy exploring historic Greensboro.

Learning about Local Women Veterans with Dr. Beth Ann Koelsch

Beth Ann Koelsch, Associate Professor at UNCG, curates the Women Veterans Historical Project.  This project documents women's participation in the armed forces of the USA. There quite a lot of women who have served over the years at Woman's College, now named the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Dr. Koelsch spent the day last Saturday (July 6th) talking to people at the Forties Flashback Family Fun Day at the Greensboro History Museum. This event is an example of the fine programs available to us in the Greensboro area. It is also an example of how university faculty members can conduct research and organize documents and artifacts in a way that tell a rich story that otherwise might be lost. If you are interested in learning more about the collection, you can contact Jackson Library. We learned so much from Dr. Koelsch and from our day we spent at the museum.

Happy Tuesday!

Paperhand Puppet Intervention at Summer Solstice

The Paperhand Puppet Intervention is an inspiration to all who see it. Saturday, at the Summer Solstice Festival in the Greensboro Arboretum, was no exception. The above photo gives you an idea of the craftsmanship that goes into making the larger-than-life puppets. There were at least 25 of them at the solstice event, and many of the people handling the puppets were volunteers, bystanders at the festival. 

The Saxapahaw group was founded 26 years ago in 1998 by Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Burger. Zimmerman was inspired after having seen the Bread and Hand puppet performance in Vermont. Bread and Puppet was established in the early 1960s in New York City by Peter Schulman. The name derived from the fact that great and oil were served at the puppet shows. Fast forward 60 plus years and Bread and Puppet is still going strong and so is Paperhand Puppet Intervention. This latter group is always a special feature of the solstice event. A but thank you to all involved in bring them to the festival. Imagine the eyes of the little children when these larger-than-life puppets come walking by. The person navigating the stilts and monarch butterfly is likely  trained, as she navigated those stilts beautifully.

We completely in awe of all involved in the Summer Solstice event.

Happy Tuesday!

Donna Barrier: Member/ Historian, Guilford Park Presbyterian Church

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Donna Barrier who is a second-generation member of Guilford Park Presbyterian Church. Donna, a Page High School graduate, was a lifelong educator in Greensboro. Now, in retirement, she dedicates much of her time serving her church. Donna is the archivist/historian, documenting all the major events of the church each year.*

Above, Donna is standing beside one of the carvings made by her dad, Harold A. Barrier. Her dad made more carvings because every pew has a different wooden carving at the end. There is documentation for each carving, the symbolism, and carved did it. According to Donna, woodcarving provided many hours of fellowship for the men involved in that project. This carving by Mr. Barrier is extra special because it is the descending dove. It is the symbol of the Holy Spirit's presence, and the story of the descending dove and Jesus' Baptism is found in all four Gospels. The carving is actually the seal of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. The four symbolic elements are a dove, the cross, a book symbolizing scripture, and flames. When we find a person who values documenting history and archiving, we know we have found a kindred spirit. It is the people that make Greensboro a special place to live and people like Donna who make Guilford Park Presbyterian a special place to worship. May we all have a "Donna" in our life.

Happy Sunday, this the first Sunday of Summer!

* See the yearly history HERE.

Stained Glass Windows at Guilford Park Presbyterian

In early May, we published an exterior photo of Guilford Park Presbyterian Church (see post HERE), commenting that we'd love to get inside to see those beautiful stained glass windows. Well, Guilford Park has a fabulous historian and archivist, Donna Barrier, and she reached out and invited us to come see the sanctuary.  Not only did we receive a personal tour and a couple hours of questions and answers, Donna shared with us the original 1955 contract from The Willet Stained Glass Company for the agreement to make and install the twelve windows. Collectively, it is a twelve panel chancel window, depicting the symbols of eleven disciples and Paul. (Judas is noticeably absent). The technique used was one perfected by medieval glass artists.  

From a distance, the overall impact of the windows is spectacular. However, the close-ups are breathtaking. See below the panel honoring St. Paul the Apostle to appreciate more fully the vibrancy of the painted and kiln fused slabs. As we sat there in awe of the windows the and acoustics of the sanctuary, we were even more impressed with church members giving so freely of their time. In addition to Donna Barrier, Linda Fitts, wife of  Brian Fitts, Director of YES Music for Casual Worship, and Church Administrator Jane Sharpe were there. It was a special treat when Director of Music Ministries Dr. Bill Allred came in to practice the organ. We left with enough information for at least a month of Sundays!

If you are looking for a church that will be a spiritual home, this inviting, social-justice-minded gem of a church in the Kirkwood neighborhood is a good one to consider.

Happy Sunday!

Greensboro's Four Area Codes

The above photo was taken at Design Archives in Downtown Greensboro on South Elm Street. We are always looking for items of historic interest  from Greensboro. The above cup "GUILFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEES' CREDIT UNION" (GCECU) fascinated us. We tried to research the credit union. So far, we have been unable to find a lead to this specific credit union. We'd love to know how long that credit union was in business, where the branches were located, and what replaced it. The next step was to sleuth out area codes, which change as population grows. Here is what we learned.

Area codes were first assigned in the United States in 1947. At that time, all of North Carolina was assigned area code 704. In 1954, as the population in the state grew, another zip code was added. The Greensboro area code became 919.  The 919 area code was used in Greensboro from 1954 until 1993. Therefore, GCECU, on the cup above ( in the window of Design Archives), was in existence sometime in that 38 year time period. In 1993, Greensboro's area code switched to 910 and on December 15, 1997, a mere four years later, the area code switched to 336 and so it remains to this day. So, to recap, seeing a Greensboro phone number on an item can help you date it.

704    1947- 1953

919    1954-1992

910    1993- most of 1997

336    1997- today

Since April 23, 2016, using the 10-digit phone number has been mandatory for users of the 336 area code. Maybe you didn't get out of bed this morning planning to learn about Greensboro's area codes, but now you have it. Which area codes have you had?  This post is brought to you thanks to a hard plastic cup for sale in Downtown Greensboro. 

Happy Thursday!

Sears Demolition Is Well Under Way- 2024

2024 has been a year of change in Greensboro. We already showed you a photo of the razing of the News & Record building downtown. Today's photo is of demolition in progress Sears in Friendly Center at 3200 West Friendly Avenue. This is the east side with the main entrance. When it closed in 2023, the Friendly Center store was the last remaining Sears store in North Carolina. Nationally, Sears has roots dating back to 1892 (see history HERE). The year 1928 was a banner year for Sears in North Carolina when the first Sears opened in North Carolina. In that year, Sears stores opened in Greensboro, High Point, Asheville, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem- a year before the stock market crashed. In Greensboro, Sears relocated in 1934, 1940, 1948, and 1973.*

Sears remained in Friendly Center for fifty years, from 1973- 2023. In 2012, Whole Foods took over part of the Sears building in Friendly. At one point, there was discussion of renovation of the above building, but as it stands now, it looks like it may be headed for total demolition. D.H. Griffin has the contract. We are wondering how they will address the common wall, shared by Whole Foods and Sears. While we are sad to see this business close, it is always refreshing when a lot gets rebuilt, as opposed to destroying unimproved, rural land.

What Sears memories do you have? Likely it will date us, but yes, we have great memories of looking through the Sears catalog to pick out school clothes and Christmas toys. We remember going to the catalog department and picking up (and returning) items for our grandparents and parents. For many, there is some real nostalgia associated with Sears. Here's to new beginnings.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*read the timeline for Sears stores in North Carolina HERE.

Dismantling The News & Record Building 2024

Today, we wanted to share another view of the back side of the former News & Record building. This close-up shows the extensive metal that was used in the building.  We would love to see Jim Gallucci make a sculpture out of some of this rubble. Does anyone know about the green metal doors, seen above? They are intriguing; as are all of the gears, which likely had something to do with printing presses In this closeup, you can see former offices. Also, on the right, you see one of several I-beams. This is a lot of history of a bygone era.

We've got to find a way to read local news and get people writing it. Triad City Beat, Yes Weekly, and the Carolina Peacemaker are three of our lifelines now. As of 2018, Rhino Times ceases publication. The printing of the News & Record moved to Winston-Salem in 2017.  Please continue to read it and send in letters, editorials, and articles for print. It is so important for us to hear from people in our community. How do you get your local news?

News & Record, Going But Not Forgotten

The weekend started with acclaimed author and journalist, James McBride praising the fine journalism in Greensboro. The weekend ended with our heading over to see what was left of the Greensboro News & Record Building on East Market Street. The front of the building is still intact, but demolition is well under way on the back side. You can still see office space from this back view. Demolition should be finished by the end of the summer. While the newspaper traces its roots back to the late 1800s, the above building was completed in 1976. After 48 years, with the diminished state of print journalism in the digital era, no longer needed were the above in-person think tank and printing presses. D.H. Griffin began demolition on 4/22/24. They are the local company that played a major role in clean up after the 911 tragedy in New York City. 

While on site, we noticed pieces of steel I-beams, chunks of bricks and cement, and many interesting metal pieces (e.g., several small metal doors that looked like facades of safes). After resuming our walk along South Elm Street, we visited Sculptor Jim Gallucci's 9/11 Sculpture Project on at the South 500 block of Elm. It is crafted from beams that D.H. Griffin brought back from NYC. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a sculpture commemorating 130 years of noteworthy journalism in Greensboro. The I-beams are still there and could be figured into a sculpture. As we were leaving, we noticed a piece of the Sunday comics in the rubble. It was on that thick paper and the color was intact. Sometimes you don't realize what you miss until it is gone. We look forward to seeing what becomes of the space.

Happy Monday!

Greensboro History Museum, Former First Presbyterian Church

Yesterday, the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival held sessions at the Greensboro History Museum. Formerly, the History Museum was the First Presbyterian Church. Seeing this view of the entrance of the museum, filled with people, reminded us of what it must have looked like when the building was a church. It was built in 1892, 84 years after Greensboro was established. First Presbyterian relocated to 617 North Elm Street in 1929.

One of the sessions held in the history museum was, "Calling on Ancestors: Writing the Past into the Present." Tyree Daye, Zelda Lockhart, and David Nicholson shared stories of ancestors across generations. The presentation seemed perfect for the history museum where past meets present on a daily basis. The audience listening to  the session in the intimate auditorium is not unlike what it must have felt like to attend a church sermon in the building. The space is a Greensboro treasure.

Happy Sunday!

Now on North Battleground at Old Battleground: Mavis Tires and Brakes

 

North Battleground, at Horse Pen Creek and Old Battleground, now has a Harris Teeter Gas Station, an O'Reilly Auto Parts Store, and the above Mavis Tires and Brakes. These properties are located in the area that housed Laddie and Duke's Family Grille.* Laddie and Duke's was an Irish Pub themed establishment with a lot of atmosphere, right down to a cozy stone fireplace. Laddie and Duke's was open from about 1996- to 2008. In Irish Pub fashion, it was one of those places that seemed like it would be anchored on that corner forever. It is a new day on North Battleground Avenue with many shops offering auto parts and tires. And now, there are many more food choices in town, in Mid-Town, and the east side is showing growth. Friendly Center, and Wendover Avenue remain popular destinations for dining out. 

Do you have a go to restaurant? What do you look for in an eating establishment? Given the above photo, we should also ask, how do you decide where to purchase tires? The above branch of Mavis opened this year. However, the company was founded in 1972 by the Sober family and now has about 1,200 stores throughout the northeast USA.**

Today's post has us thinking of then and now and in the future. We're wondering what another decade will bring to Greensboro. What are your predictions?

Have a great Thursday!

*If you are interested in a little Greensboro nostalgia, read here for a News & Record article about Laddie and Duke's from 1996, about the time they opened. They even mention menu items.

** reference and more information here.

Double Oaks

Double Oaks is a beauty of an Air B&B, located at the corner of Friendly Avenue and North Mendenhall Street. The last we heard, this turn-of-the-century colonial revival mansion was still for sale. James and Amanda Keith have owned the property since 2016 and it appears they are ready to move on. According to the Double Oaks website, the young couple is also restoring the NuWray Hotel in Burnsville, NC. Built in 1833, it is said to be North Carolina's oldest continually-operating hotel. From casual to elegant, they hold so many events here. Hopefully, the new owners will be as community oriented as the current ones. Located just a hop, skip, and a jump from Greensboro College and UNCG and right across the street from the First Baptist Church, the Air B&B surely stays busy. At least, we hope so. Stop by this morning for a cup of Borough Coffee and have a look at this gem of a place.

Happy Wednesday!

Nostalgic Display in Design Archives

What, if anything, do you collect? Nostalgia can be a big factor. Some people like iconic designs like the above display at Design Archives, a consignment shop for handmade and vintage items, located in the 300 block of South Elm Street. The store attracts quite a crowd, especially  on weekends when people come downtown to eat and spend time with friends. When we were in Design Archives recently a young couple (perhaps early 30s) was perusing the booths and stopped to look at the above items. One commented that his grandmother had a phone just like the red one. And the conversation continued about other items they'd seen in their childhood. 

Meanwhile, there were other young shoppers trying on vintage clothing, looking for sweatshirts with just the right slogan, and perusing vintage record albums. Even if you don't collect anything, vintage stores are a way of connecting with the past and helping us realize just how much society has changed. The younger generations cannot fathom a time when conversations were tethered by a phone cord. Displays like the one above are such great conversation starters. If you had to write a short story based on the things you see in the above photo, imagine the possibilities. Other spots that evoke other times are Elsewhere Museum in the 600 block of South Elm Street, and Reconsidered Goods, located on Spring Garden Street behind the Food Lion on Market Street. We hope you had a good weekend, with some time set aside to nurture your creativity.

Happy Monday!

Strolling along South Mendenhall Street on a Sunny Spring Afternoon

We realize we've been featuring a lot of buildings and houses lately, but the temperature topped 80º yesterday, We just had to walk. We spent time in College Hill, near Friendly and Market. The above photo is of 102 South Mendenhall, The Wilson-Andrews House, a beauty of a home built in 1859. It is believed to be only one of 12 homes in Greensboro, remaining standing, and built before 1880.*

When built, the house was originally a single family dwelling, built by Rev. Wilson who bought the land from the Bumpass family. Over the years, the home has had several exterior enhancements, like the bay windows and the addition of decorative woodwork.   The home has long been divvied up into student apartments. However, the current owners have spared no expense with that elaborate, exterior paint job. That orange color is a stand out. Also, as hinted in today's photo, the landscaping is nice with camellias still in bloom and azaleas popping out.  This is the time of year when the scenery changes weekly. Please get out and explore Greensboro. Let us know what you find.

Happy Tuesday!

*read more in the News & Record article from 1990.

Hal & Eleanor Minnock-Pugh

To celebrate International Women's History Month, the UNC Greensboro University Libraries hosted a Book Talk & Signing by Hal E. Pugh and Eleanor Minnock-Pugh. After twenty-five years of researching and writing, they published the book, "Naomi "Omie" Wise: Her Life, Death and Legend."  The event, held in the Oakley Room at the Alumni House at UNCG, the event was free and open to the public. Naomi "Omie" Wise was a young woman from Randolph County, North Carolina who was born in or before 1789 and was murdered in 1807. Her murder resulted in a trial that was held in Guilford County and in the end, the suspect was acquitted due to nothing more than circumstantial evidence. This murder happened in an era when news spread through newspapers, books, and oral tradition. The case generated much interest.  Many of the details of the murder are derived from the 147 various texts and fragments appearing about the case. Hal Pugh was intrigued by the case because he is related to the family back 5 generations. 

One of the most famous ballads about Naomi Wise is Bob Dylan's 1961 version. However, we likely owe all of the information about Naomi Wise to the great storytelling in North Carolinian Braxton Craven's 1851 book, "Naomi Wise, or the Victim." However, the Pughs say if the truth is a straight road, Braxton Craven's version was a curvy, embellished one. However, the story has endured for 217 years. If you read the Pughs' book, you will not only learn about a North Carolina woman whose story only endures because of her horrific demise, you will learn how meticulous research unfolds. The Pughs told us they are glad the research lasted for twenty-five years, because in recent years so many records and pieces of archival material have been made available through the internet, making it possible for them to search documents and records without having to travel hundreds of miles. In their spare time, when not research and writing about Naomi Wise, the Pughs are busy producing original redware and stoneware pottery.

The Greensboro community is lucky to have access to university-sponsored events like this one.

Happy Friday!

Bird's Eye View of the City of Greensboro

Out sleuthing yesterday, we found this map of Greensboro that dates to 1891. The year of the map was 83 years after Greensboro became a city (1808) and it has a been 133 years since that map was produced. A lot has happened in 133 years. We know this wouldn't have been an original map, but were curious about its origin. It looks like this map was scanned or downloaded from the Library of Congress Digital Collection. At least at one time, it may have been available through the Greensboro History Museum. They have a .jpg available for download. It features prominent buildings as well as the network of streets and trains. Also noteworthy is the amount of green space. So many of the streets have changed. On the digital copy that we've linked to below, you can zoom in and see details. As you look around on the Gateway map collection, you will see that they have maps of Greensboro from many different decades.

The digital era has transformed archives and access to information. But, there is still a need for people and organizations to store digital information, as information can disappear with a click of a button. We hope you enjoy linking through and looking at some of the maps

Happy Thursday!

* see here for map available for download.

Black History Month Sunset

Closing out Black History Month, with an extra day this leap year, we find ourselves on the stairs of the Historic Dudley Memorial Building. It was originally the administration building on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (NC A&T). It was built in 1930, making it close to 100 years old. It is a beautiful brick building that now houses the University Galleries. The architectural style of the building is Neoclassical Revival; you can see the columns peeking on the outer edge of the photo. While the building isn't visible here, what is in view is the back of the 2001  Barnhill monument, February One ( also known as The A&T Four Monument). The four men here are remembered for their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and the Sit-Ins. On February 1, 1960, they walked from campus to take their place at the Woolworth lunch counter to the west of campus.

While the sun is setting in the photo, the shadows are long, and Black History Month is coming to a close, let us hope the journey towards a just and fair world will continue. 

Happy Leap Day!

East White Oak Community Center

Yesterday, we posted on the Freedom Fridges at the East White Oak Community Center on 10th Street in northeast Greensboro. Today, we thought we'd take you inside this wooden building that has played a significant role in this community for over 100 years. We're not sure about the artwork. The mural on the left looks like a work in progress. If you are local, you probably know the people on the right. Those wooden floorboards in this hallway look like they've seen a lot of traffic over the last century plus. When it opened in 1916, it was originally a school house for the children of African-American workers at Cone Mills textiles. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. David Richmond, one of the NC A&T Four grew up in this neighborhood.

If you want a tour of the David Richmond Resource Room, the Mill Village Exhibition, or other parts of this historic property, you can call them at 336-274-4555 or you can email them at [email protected]. There is so much outreach that happens at this community center. And, now with the food pantry, in a part of town with much food insecurity, it will play and even more pivotal role. 

Happy Monday!

Freedom Fridges

Usually, we post something religious or spiritual on Sundays. Yesterday, we had a chance to attend the installation of the Freedom Fridge at White Oak Community Center on 10th Street. While people do have church services here, its primary function is not a house of worship. It is a community center where people come together to help each other, giving what they can, is pretty spiritual. The Freedom Fridge was stocked to the gills with staples. The pantry to the right is stocked with items not needing refrigeration. The food items are open to the public and is open 24 hours. It is not under lock and key. 

A free market was held in conjunction with the unveiling of the refrigerator and pantry. The front lawn and community center were filled with items- mostly clothing- for people to take for free. There were many beautiful items coming in and out of the center, with plenty left at 3:00 pm when the event closed. 10th street, just down the street from Channel 2, WFMY News, was hopping all day yesterday.  If you want to see a thriving piece of Greensboro history, head to the White Oak Community Center. It dates back to 1916, when this area was a thriving textile mill village, built for African-American employees of Cone Mills. Today, it is community owned and operates as a 501 (c)3 non profit. Revenue is generated through grants and rentals for community events.  We love what is said about the community center on their website, "(p)eople come here to be part of a community." 

Happy Sunday!

ITG Brands

Sometimes, driving around Greensboro looking for something to post on Greensboro Daily Photo feels like sleuthing. We were driving on Green Valley Road on a recent afternoon when the sun was low to the horizon and the cement and glass building above was shining brightly. We stopped to have a look and there was no sign of what happens in that building. We did notice the sign on the entrance said "ITG Brands".  Returning home, we were able to research and learn that it stands for Imperial Tobacco Group. In 2015, Lorillard was one of four cigarette brands that divested to Imperial Tobacco Group. Lorillard, a tobacco company that was established in 1875, was sold to Reynolds in 2015. ITG has absorbed so much North Carolina, and Greensboro, tobacco history and it is now located at 714 Green Valley Road.

On the day we visited recently, the building looked almost empty. According to Triad Business Journal, ITG Brands is selling the building. Their headquarters will take over the top floors of a nearby building (reference). What will become of 714? According to City Data records, the building was constructed in 1996 (reference). It seems older than 28 years old. We wonder what will move in. The location is convenient and there is plenty of parking. What do you think it should become? It would be so much fun to have an apartment in that round part.

Happy Thursday!

 

2412 Battleground Avenue

Driving down Battleground Avenue yesterday, we did an about face and pulled into the Office Depot Parking lot to investigate the new construction at 2412 Battleground Avenue. This property has been many things over the years. This address needs a personal archivist to document all of the iterations of the space. Our earliest recollection is that 2412 Battleground was a bank. Then, in 2003, Bardy's Jewelry left Friendly Center to relocate here. After Bardy's, about 4 years later, Mythos Grill moved into the space. Mythos was at 2412 Battleground for about 13 years, before moving to across Battleground near Biscuitville in 2020. According to the Business Journals (8/4/2023), the above structure will become the new State Street Jewelers. The owners of State Street Jewelers, Michael and Amanda Wilson have owned the property since 2021 as their business is outgrowing their currently location (reference). Now we're wondering what will move into their location on State Street. As for 2412 Battleground, let's hope it is a booming success for State Street Jewelers. It is interesting that they completely tore down the old building and, as you can see, they are building from the ground up. We can't wait to see what the new store looks like inside (and outside, too).

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Valentines Day

What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year? Such is the question being asked in the window of the Biltmore Hotel at 111 West Washington Street. According to its website, the Biltmore Hotel is Greensboro's oldest hotel. The hotel has a lot of provenance and, fortunately, the history of the hotel and all of the functions it has served during the many iterations. Fortunately the stories and documentation are available online (HERE). It has been under new ownership since 2007 and the new owner works hard to keep the hotel upscale, but cozy.

The photo represents a fun window display put up for Valentine's Day. We discovered it while downtown recently looking for festive window displays for February 14th. We didn't get to ask about the Valentine's Day package, but we do intend to try to stay there at some point. And yes, we would like to be a part of the conversation at the Biltmore Hotel. It is the only independently owned and operated boutique hotel in downtown Greensboro. The Biltmore has been part of the revival of downtown and for that, we are grateful!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Palmer Institute

As stated on State Historic Marker J87, the Palmer Memorial Institute was a preparatory school for blacks founded in 1902 by Charlotte Hawkins Brown. The institute closed in 1971, but the property now a state historic site. The above photo is of the 1929 Green Parrot Tea House. It was the student snack shop where students gathered for their free time to enjoy snacks. According to the sign in front of the one-story building, the shop was typically run by a male senior student, but staffed by underclassmen. This gave students an opportunity to hone their business skills. The Palmer Institute was co-ed, but female students couldn't enter the tea house after dinner, so sometimes they would get a guy to purchase something for them and meet them elsewhere on campus to pick up the snack. Where there's a will, there's a way. 

There is so much history at the Palmer Institute (see HERE). If you get a chance to take a tour or attend an event there, we encourage you to do so. It is located in Sedalia on Highway 70, which is an extension of East Wendover. Sedalia is close to the relatively new Rock Creek. Currently, a 100 acre parcel of land for sale across the street from the Palmer Institute. This little community is about to change before our eyes. We love the looks of this little tea house and need to find out if it is open, as it would be a great place to stop en route to Burlington.

Happy Monday!

Social Justice Presentation at Hairston Auditorium

Yesterday at 10:00 am, people gathered to celebrate the legacy of four North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) students and the role they played in the civil rights movement. This was the 64th anniversary of the Sit-Ins that first took place on February 1, 1960. At 10:00 am, there was a service and wreath laying ceremony in front of the February One Statue. After, high school students were invited to attend a social justice presentation by a panel of five very accomplished NC A&T students who answered questions about what they were doing to bring about change and gave high school students advice on what they could do to be actively engaged. The NC A&T students also talked about the opportunities at NC A&T and what a great school it is. The high school students were respectful and engaged, likely impressed that some of the university students were just a few years older than they are. The young man on the left has already appeared on Good Morning America and other national shows talking about social justice and making a difference. The student in the middle is just 19 years old and graduating this spring. The man on the left is an articulate freshman. Indeed, the above four students were role models for the high school students.

If we had one with for schools, it would be to offer more field trips. They are so hard to arrange these days, between the bus driver shortage, needed funding, and the pressure to cover core curriculum. Yesterday's field trip was impactful to the high school students who were able to attend, not only for the opportunity to participate in the February One ceremony and the social justice talk, but also to just spend time together making memories. After the presentation, students walked from the university campus to downtown Greensboro to the International Civil Rights Museum and Center. It was a cool, but sunny day and memories were made. 

Happy Friday!

February One- Black History Month

And so we begin Black History Month, a month of people learning about events that propelled the Civil Rights Movement and Black history in general. February One is a big day, it is also the day that the Greensboro Four marched from the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University  (NC A&T) to the F.W. Woolworth Building at 134 South Elm Street. The above monument, by Greensboro artist and sculptor, James Barnhill, was installed on the campus of NC A&T in 2002. It features the Greensboro Four: David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), and Joseph McNeil.

Today, many people will be visiting NC A&T campus to participate in a special ceremony for the events of February 1, 1960. It is important to remember the past and to work in the moment to lead society in the direction of equity. There is a PBS documentary about February One. It would be in all of our best interests to watch the documentary. 

Happy Thursday! Happy February!

North Carolina A&T University Preparing for Black History Month

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is preparing for Black History Month starting with the February One Celebration. The exhibit has been installed in the H.C. Taylor Art Gallery, located in the old administration building, just behind the February One Monument. This exhibit is not to be missed. Mia and Norris McAdoo have loaned the gallery over 650 artifacts that provide insight into the lives and experiences of African Americans from the era of enslavement to present day.

The above photo is of a slave transport collar. Other items include a playbill from the Broadway play of "A Raisin in the Sun," copies of "Negro Digest" from the 1940s, and a Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee screen print from 1964. Many people collect ephemera and other items from history. The McAdoos have assembled an invaluable museum. The collection ranges from warm, nostalgic memories to more jarring ones like the above collar. In the background, you see a museum worker adjusting gallery lights so  the exhibit will be just perfect when it opens to the public. He encouraged us to also visit the exhibit on the second floor. Greensboro is a city with so much history related to the Civil Rights Movement. If you are local, we encourage you to use the month of February to learn as much as you can. If you are from elsewhere, please come visit.

Happy Wednesday!

Epiphany 2024

For many, Christmas is long gone. For some, today is a big holiday, Epiphany or Three Kings Day, the day the Magi arrived in Bethlehem to visit Jesus. For children, it is the day the Wise Men also arrive to deliver gifts to those who have been good all year. Last night, children put out shoe boxes or shoes filled with hay for the camels. This morning, children awaken to gifts and merriment. According to Data USA, 24,900 people in Greensboro are Hispanic, which is almost 10% of the population. Many people in this demographic will be celebrating Three Kings Day. 

The above photo features the Nativity display at Centenary United Methodist Church, located at 2300 West Friendly Avenue. The vibrant colors really stand out on a sunny day late afternoon. Greensboro College also puts up a Nativity scene.

We hope you are safe and warm!

Happy Saturday!

Shopping at Friendly Center- View from the back of the line at Anthropologie

With 5 shopping days left before Christmas, retail in Greensboro seems to be steady. The parking lot at Friendly Center is busy and foot traffic seems brisk. The above photo was taken at Anthropologie- located in the "new" side of the shopping center. Pink and glittery seem to be popular with shoppers. The original Friendly Center opened in 1957 and it has done a good job over the last 66 years of staying relevant to shoppers. Part of the key is the variety of stores. There is everything from a bookstore to jewelry stores to a drug store, a post office, pet store, clothing stores, and more. 

In 2006, the new side of Friendly Center opened, bringing the largest Harris Teeter in all of North Carolina, an Apple Store, Anthropologie, and more.* Even if you don't NEED anything, it is fun to get out and be part of the crowd this time of year. And, there is the tradition of stopping and getting a photo with the waving Santa, and heading a couple blocks away to Sunset Hills to drive through the streets to see the decorations. If you drive through Sunset Hills, consider swinging by the Harris Teeter and getting some food to consider donating to the food bank collection site at the corner of Ridgeway and Madison.

Happy Wednesday!

 

*read the Wikipedia entry on Friendly Center HERE.

Street Scenes: In front of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum

We love walking along Elm Street from Tanger Center to Gate City Boulevard and capturing street scenes along the way. The above photo, taken earlier in the week, shows men delivering a large piece of furniture/equipment in front of the Woolworth building. The Woolworth building, now the "International Civil Rights Center and Museum" is located at 134 South Elm Street. The piece was pulled out of a U-Haul van that looked about 17' long, so we're betting these guys had been at it for a while and we were just seeing the delivery of the last piece. A healthy city is a dynamic ebb and flow of things coming and going. 

According to the website SAH Archipedia, The Woolworth building was designed and constructed in 1929 by Charles C. Hartmann who relocated to Greensboro from NYC in 1921 to design the Jefferson Standard building.  From the looks of the bright red signage, it was as if it were built to be "Woolworth" forever. Fortunately, when the museum opened thirteen years ago in 2010 the signage was kept, as it is a big part of the history of the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro. Hopefully, the guys making the delivery had a chance to look around and take in some of the history of the museum; something that would be great for all of us to do today. The museum opens at 10am.

Happy Saturday! 

1899 Depot Coming Soon!

The Southern Railways, 1899 Depot, is being brought back to life and  is something we've all been waiting for. If you go downtown for the Festival of Lights this Friday, December 1st, have a look at this building as you cross the railroad tracks at 400 South Elm Street. If you peek to the left, you can see the railroad tracks running along the building. Trains come by here all day long, so it will be important for the building to be structurally sound and as soundproof as reasonable.

The above building was only used for 28 years as a train railway when, in 1927, it was replaced by the station on East Washington Street. In an WFMY2 News article from early summer, Downtown Greensboro Inc. President Zach Matheny mentions that the hope the restored building will have a restaurant, bar, and social space inside. Given the fact the building is 124 years old, it remains in remarkably good shape- at least what we can see on the exterior. See this link for a view of how the building looked back when it was a train station. We love the way Greensboro makes an effort to respect the history of the downtown's architectural footprint, knowing that updates are needed for a space to be 21st century relevant.

Happy Tuesday!