Secretary Susi Hamilton of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources issued the following statement after learning of the death of Phil Freelon:
We were saddened to learn about the passing this morning of renowned architect, arts advocate and 2017 North Carolina Award winner Phil Freelon.
Freelon called architecture “the perfect blend of art and science.” For nearly 40 years he made an indelible mark on the landscape of North Carolina and the country, designing and creating such iconic structures as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Emancipation Park in Houston, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.
He will be remembered as one of the most acclaimed architects of his generation, specializing in cultural museums, educational buildings and projects that tell stories, and he will be truly missed.