In Greensboro, a historically African American neighborhood makes the National Register of Historic Places
A Greensboro home designed by African American architect Clifton Gravely highlights a mid-century modern theme of connecting inside spaces with the outside world. Photo courtesy of Clinton Gravely and North Carolina Modernist Houses.
The South Benbow Road Historic District in Greensboro is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is Greensboro's first historically African American neighborhood to receive the honor.
In 2013, Greensboro resident Eric Woodard began spearheading the effort to recognize the area after becoming fascinated with the mid-century modern architecture there. Some of the most prominent examples — mostly homes along the South Benbow Road area — were designed by Black architects who worked at Ed Lowenstein’s firm which was, beginning in the 1950s, among the first in North Carolina to hire people of color.
Woodard says the district is also significant because of the people who lived there.
"The neighborhood along South Benbow Road was absolutely phenomenal as it relates to African American firsts, from civil rights to academics to religion to sports to mass media to politics," says Woodard. "If it was to happen as a first among the African American community, it happened in that neighborhood."
North Carolina’s first Black chief justice, Henry Frye, Dr. Alvin Blount whose lawsuit against Moses Cone desegregated hospitals nationwide, and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch all called the area home.
Woodard says he hopes raising awareness about these stories will inspire the next generation of young Black leaders.
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