Oberlin Village History Run is a chance to learn some of Raleigh’s history while getting some exercise. It’s a self-guided 3-mile running/walking tour of Raleigh’s historic Oberlin Village.
Although it’s called a run, you’re encouraged to stop at each location and read about the site.
It takes place all through the month of February, 2021, making it a great way to celebrate Black History Month.
Sign up on Eventbrite and you’ll receive an email with turn by turn instructions and information about each site on the tour. There’s no cost to signing up.
Photo by D. Wooster
The run starts at Wilson Temple United Methodist Church, 1023 Oberlin Road, Raleigh.
Founded in the late 1860s by formerly enslaved people, Oberlin Village was the largest Reconstruction-era Black settlement in Wake County and quickly became a thriving residential, commercial, and academic district for Raleigh’s Black residents.
By the mid-to-late 20th century Oberlin Village began to lose its identity; rezoning allowed commercial development to perforate the area, racist housing policies pushed Black residents out, and the construction of Wade Avenue through the village eroded the community, leaving only a few historical markers to commemorate what was once a bustling scene of Black life and enterprise.
Photo by D. Wooster
The area is now dominated by Cameron Village—named after the family who enslaved many of Oberlin’s founders.
The sites included on the running/walking tour are:
- Oberlin Cemetery, 1014 Oberlin Road
- Latta House and University site, 1001 Parker Street
- Mary Turner House, 1002 Oberlin Road
- Preservation North Carolina, 814 Oberlin Road
- Oberlin Rising
- Oberlin Baptist Church, 806 Oberlin Road
- Needham Broughton High School
- Jenkins Memorial Methodist Church/Glenwood-Brooklyn Historic District
Photo by D. Wooster
Make sure to RSVP on Eventbrite to receive turn by turn instructions, and information about each site.
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