We Built This Educational Program
Hiding in plain sight is the physical manifestation of our labor, because most of the historic structures in this country were built by, constructed by Black people…and yet those stories have never been told.
Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation (2020)
Many of the historic buildings we revere in North Carolina are credited to their owners. Rarely are the people responsible for the labor and craftsmanship recognized. We Built This seeks to acknowledge the countless African Americans who built the historic buildings we collectively treasure. These individuals were skilled in principles of engineering, construction and business. Many became political and social leaders in their communities. Acknowledging the significance of this history is a start to preserving a tangible link to the past through our built environment.
Preservation North Carolina has developed We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in North Carolina, a phased multi-year educational program about the history and legacy of Black builders and craftspeople in North Carolina. We Built This features three major components. Explore the links below to learn more about the project.
Donate today to support the continued development and distribution of We Built This!
Thank you to the many people who have contributed research, stories, and time to make this project possible, including Sami Allen, Catherine Bishir, Al Bredenberg, Benjamin Briggs, Martha Canipe, Andrea Clarke, Monica Davis, Stephanie Davis, Design Dimensions, Chris Everett, Dr. Torren L. Gatson, Clarissa Goodlett, Tom Hanchett, Lisa Y. Henderson, Myrick Howard, Alice Eley Jones, Kim Smith, Laurel Sneed, Dr. Benjamin Speller Jr, Gwynne Taylor, Sarah Woodard, and a growing list of many more. Special thanks to the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission for creating a digital Spanish-translated version of the exhibit!
Thank you to the following generous donors:
Anonymous Trust, Marion S. Covington Foundation, AJ Fletcher Foundation
Empire Properties, Mary Anne Howard, Neighboring Concepts
Larken Egleston, Stephanie Fanjul, Anne Franklin, Baird S. and Pauline F. Grimson, Myrick Howard, Thomas S. Kenan, The Terence L. Mills Fund for North and South Carolina of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Rodney Swink and Juanita Shearer-Swink, Patricia Wilson
