Hayti Heritage Center | Durham

The Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, North Carolina, is a landmark institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage and history of the Hayti community, historically known as Durham’s “Black Wall Street.” Established in 1975 by the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, the center occupies the historic St. Joseph’s African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church building, constructed in 1891. This building is not only architecturally significant but also historically important as the oldest surviving structure from the original Hayti neighborhood, which was once a thriving African American business and cultural district.

Architectural and Historical Significance

The center is housed in the Gothic Revival style former St. Joseph’s AME Church, a beautifully preserved landmark with distinctive architectural features such as pointed arch windows, intricate woodwork, and a stately bell tower. This church served as a cornerstone of the African American community in Durham, providing a place of worship, education, and social gathering for over a century. Its transformation into the Hayti Heritage Center has allowed the building to continue serving the community, this time as a vibrant cultural and arts hub.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Hayti Heritage Center is to preserve, promote, and advance the culture and heritage of the historic Hayti neighborhood and the broader African American experience. The center achieves this through arts programming, educational initiatives, cultural exhibitions, and community events that celebrate African American history, arts, and culture. It fosters a sense of pride, empowerment, and connection among residents and visitors by highlighting stories, traditions, and artistic expressions that have shaped Durham’s African American community.

Facilities and Spaces

The Hayti Heritage Center contains several distinct spaces designed to support a wide range of cultural, educational, and artistic activities:

St. Joseph’s Performance Hall: This is a 400-seat auditorium that hosts concerts, theatrical performances, lectures, film screenings, and community events. The hall retains much of the church’s original character, blending historic charm with modern audiovisual capabilities, making it an ideal venue for both large-scale and intimate gatherings.

Lyda Moore Merrick Gallery: A dedicated gallery space for rotating exhibitions primarily featuring African American artists. The gallery showcases visual arts including paintings, photography, sculptures, and mixed-media works, providing local and regional artists a platform to present culturally relevant and thought-provoking art.

Claronelle K. Trapp Brown Community Room: A flexible multi-purpose room used for community meetings, workshops, seminars, and smaller-scale events. This space supports grassroots activities and fosters community dialogue.

Dance Studio: Named in honor of Baba Chuck Davis, a renowned dancer and choreographer who significantly influenced African and African American dance, this studio offers classes and rehearsals in various dance forms including African dance, ballet, and contemporary dance. It serves as a nurturing ground for both cultural tradition and artistic innovation.

Classrooms: Used for educational programs ranging from arts education to history and humanities courses, these rooms support the center’s mission to engage the community in lifelong learning and cultural awareness.

Signature Programs and Cultural Events

The Hayti Heritage Center organizes a variety of programs and events throughout the year that reflect its dedication to cultural enrichment and community engagement:

Hayti Films: Recognized as one of the longest-running Black film festivals in the Southeastern United States, Hayti Films showcases films that explore the Black Southern experience, African American history, and contemporary social issues. This festival is a major cultural highlight, drawing filmmakers, scholars, and audiences from across the region.

Jambalaya Soul Slam: This is the Triangle region’s longest-running poetry slam event, held monthly and featuring local and regional spoken word artists. The Soul Slam celebrates the power of oral storytelling and poetry rooted in African American culture, providing a dynamic platform for creative expression and social commentary.

Black American Music Series: A monthly concert series that celebrates the diversity of Black American music traditions including jazz, gospel, blues, R&B, and hip-hop. This series highlights both established and emerging artists, enriching the cultural landscape of Durham with live musical performances.

3rd Friday Live @ Hayti: Presented by BeConnected Durham, this event occurs on the third Friday of each month and brings art exhibitions, live music, cultural activities, and community interaction to the Fayetteville Street Corridor, making the arts accessible to a broader public.

Hayti Lit: A humanities-centered book club that meets regularly to discuss literature by Black authors and works that explore African American themes. The program incorporates readings, discussions, and performances, fostering intellectual engagement and cultural dialogue.

Community Walking Tours: Led by local historians and guides such as Aya Shabu from Whistle Stop Tours, these tours explore the historical and cultural significance of the Hayti neighborhood. They examine its origins, its role as a Black economic and cultural hub, and its ongoing legacy in Durham’s social fabric.

Community Impact and Cultural Legacy

The Hayti Heritage Center serves as a vital cultural anchor for Durham’s African American community and beyond. It preserves and honors the legacy of Hayti as a self-sufficient and thriving Black neighborhood during segregation, when African Americans built their own businesses, institutions, and cultural spaces in the face of widespread discrimination. The center continues this legacy by providing a space for cultural expression, education, and community empowerment. It bridges history with contemporary creativity, enabling new generations to connect with their heritage and build cultural resilience.

Visitor Information

Location: The center is located at 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina, placing it within easy reach of downtown and other cultural landmarks in the city.

Contact: Visitors can reach the center by phone for inquiries or event information.

Hours and Access: Hours vary according to scheduled programs and events. The center encourages visitors to check its official website or contact the administration for the latest details.

Conclusion

The Hayti Heritage Center stands as a proud symbol of Durham’s African American history, resilience, and creativity. Its combination of historic preservation, arts programming, educational initiatives, and community engagement makes it a cornerstone institution. The center not only honors the past but also inspires future generations to celebrate and continue the cultural richness of the Hayti legacy through arts, education, and collective memory.