Preservation Durham, North Carolina

Old Durham Tour

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For more information about Preservation Durham

please contact our office at (919)-682-3036 or
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9th Annual Old Durham Tour
Celebrate as we Recreate ~ Downtown Durham

Tour graphics by Flywheel Design

On Saturday May 7, 2005 the Preservation Durham Old Durham Tour highlighted recent developments in the center of the Bull City. The variety of building styles Downtown make Durham a unique showcase of 20th century American commercial architecture, and the Downtown Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. At the start of the 21st century, Downtown is beginning an exciting new life as a new generation of developers see creative possibilites in beautiful old bricks and mortar.

Tour headquarters was the O'Brien Building, an 1898 tobacco factory in the 600 block of Morgan Street, just across from West Village. Tour-goers could buy tickets here or exchange advance tickets for a tourbook, which admitted them to all sites on the tour. The tourbook contained information about the tour sites and a map. All the sites this year were within walking distance of each other, and tour-goers explored the sites at their own pace. Docents at each site provided more information about the sites and the tour.

Tour sites included the 1927 Baldwin's Department Store, now turned into luxury loft apartments overlooking Main Street; the 1902 Reed Building at the American Tobacco Historic District, now home of the McKinney / advertising agency's unique new offices; the c. 1910 Jourdan House on South Duke Street, a private residence now converted into offices; the 1916 Imperial Tobacco Building on Morris Street, now home to Measurement, Inc.'s high tech offices; and early 20th century storefronts on Main Street, Church Street, Rigsbee Street, and Parrish Street that are taking on new roles as offices and apartments. Tourgoers also enjoyed panoramic views of Durham from the 8th floor of City View, the neo-classical 1915 office building that was originally the home of the 1st National Bank. Thanks to the Sponsors of the 9th Old Durham Tour! Get involved with Preservation Durham's major annual event by being a sponsor of the 10th Annual Old Durham Tour in 2006, when we explore Old North Durham! Please contact the Preservation Durham office for more information.

Tour Kick-off Party
HPSD members and friends mingled as the sun went down over Downtown Durham, enjoying the music of Lulu and the Lounge Lizards.	Tour sponsors and site owners were guests at the party.

HPSD members Harrell and Anne Tice
and friends look forward to Saturday's tour.

Tour property owner Rebecca Merrill
and HPSD staffer Janice Jones share a moment.

HPSD Board member Terry Kinney
discusses the tour with friends.

tour party
Decorations for the party were provided by Morgan Imports. Food was provided by Downtown Durham restaurants

Celebrate as we Recreate Pictures


Beautiful weather and exciting renovation projects brought hundreds of people to Downtown Durham Saturday May 7 for the 9th Annual Old Durham Tour. Tourgoers learned about the renovation of the Imperial Tobacco Warehouse on a guided tour of the building, right, including a visit to this small courtyard where a new glass wall reflects the historic brick architecture.

118 parrish street
The Harward Furniture Company building on Parrish Street had been hidden by a false front for decades, left. It was removed last year, revealing the original brick front of this early 20th century store that is next door to the National Historic Landmark Mechanics and Farmers Bank Building at the center of the historic Black Wall Street.

1st national bank

american tobacco

Above left, visitors check in at the entrance to the 1st National Bank Building before taking the elevator to the top floor to enjoy views across Durham such as this bird's eye view of the American Tobacco Historic District, currently under renovation just south of the Downtown loop, above right.

reed building under reconstruction

The Reed Building at American Tobacco was completely renovated last year to provide offices for the McKinney / advertising agency. Above left, the entire front is engulfed in scaffolding. During the tour, above right, tour-goers check in for special guided tours of the unique work environment that has been created for this innovative company. See more of the renovation at McKinney's website.

baldwin

baldwins department store, before

Above left, docents Barker and Cavett French welcome tourgoers to the recenty finished Baldwin Lofts. The ground floor is ready to be converted into new commercial space, and there are 12 loft apartments above. Baldwin's Department Store closed after putting a colorful mod false front on their building in the 1960s, above center. Current renovation has restored the facade combining new plate glass windows with restored molded stone decoration. See more of the renovation at the Baldwin Lofts website.

temple building franklin house

On Main Street, above left, tourgoers learn about changes made to the Temple Building's exterior since it was built in 1909. Above right, at the end of a long day, tourgoers enjoy the front porch of the Franklin House. This early mill cottage only two blocks from American Tobacco was recently renovated from a derelict state into a cozy home.

Join us in 2006 for the 10th Annual Old Durham Tour, when we will explore Old North Durham's eclectic mix of early 20th century homes!

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