Woolworth's Counter on Display at North Carolina Central University
A symbolic piece of Durham's history was unveiled the summer of 2000, when a portion of Durham's old Woolworth's lunch counter was put on display in the Jones Building at NC Central University. It was here in Durham that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. first appeared and endorsed direct but nonviolent confrontation with segregation laws. When Woolworth's finally closed its doors, the historic counter was rescued by the NC School of Science and Mathematics, which provided a portion of the counter to NCCU as a gift to be part of a diorama open to the public.
While some people may have the impression that the historic sit-in staged in 1960 in Greensboro marked the start of the sit-in movement, this was just the first time it received attention from the national media. The entire movement was pioneered here in Durham by the late Judge Floyd McKissick and Rev. Douglas Moore, who conducted sit-ins in 1957 in the local bus station, hotels and parks. On June 23, 1957, a sit-in staged at the Royal Ice Cream Parlor in Durham resulted in the arrest of Rev. Moore and several others. McKissick and Moore were instrumental in formulating plans to spread the movement throughout the state and even traveled to various cities to provide assistance and training.
The exhibit provides an additional resource for visitors to experience and understand Durham's rich African-American heritage. Durham African-American Heritage Visitor Map, produced by DCVB, showcases the places, landmarks, events and festivals related to this important part of Durham's heritage. Copies are available at the Visitor Information Center and numerous hotels and visitor features throughout Durham.
Last updated 2004
