The North Carolina State Capitol is seeking community input through a series of listening sessions as the historic site prepares to launch a new digital humanities initiative, currently titled “From Naming to Knowing: Uncovering Slavery at the North Carolina State Capitol.” The project names over 130 enslaved African American workers and craftsmen who built and maintained the State Capitol in the 1800s. Most of the men worked on the building’s construction in the 1830s, either as laborers at the site or in the nearby State Quarry. The Capitol is dedicated to naming these individuals and telling their stories through this new publicly accessible website.
The public is invited to attend a listening session, where staff will provide an overview of the project, as well as the research and methodology. Attendees will be asked to provide input and feedback to staff prior to the public launch of the website, which is planned for early 2023. The Capitol staff seeks to be as responsive to the community as possible. The public can attend in-person sessions at the Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. or Saturday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A virtual listening session will be held Monday, Nov. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. Visitors can attend one session or all sessions.
These sessions are free to attend and open to all, but guests are asked to RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/listening-sessions-for-uncovering-slavery-at-the-nc-state-capitol-tickets-428805096587 to receive further information about attendance, including a Zoom link to the virtual session.
The State Capitol’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture, and function of the 1840 building and Union Square. It is within the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and located at One Edenton Street, Raleigh. For additional information please call or visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, three science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 41 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.