In the midst of the state government complex in downtown Raleigh, a park is taking shape that is nothing short of remarkable. Reginald Hildebrand, who teaches African and African-American history at UNC-Chapel Hill, calls the site “Freedom Grove,” where historically, plantation slaves would come together to talk and learn. Since 2001, Hildebrand has co-chaired the […]
Janet Kagan
Posted inNews
Flatline
In villages with history, buildings have rounded corners because structures are rarely torn down. Instead, they are re-plastered and patched; fresh stucco over old brick, field stone next to timber, and stones worn to smooth curves from public assemblies. Hundreds of years later, we guess who lived or worked or gathered in these spaces. This […]
Posted inNews
Public art for public works
Fast forward to spring 2007. An afternoon walk leads us through burgeoning foliage and beside the creek that runs east of the new Chapel Hill town operations center. Imagine our surprise when we come upon a landscaped plaza with polished granite perching stones. An enormous stone wall invites our attention, and we encounter a compelling […]