We bear witness to Northside residents’ lived experiences, disrupting conventional history by saving and making history for future generations.
From the Rock Wall
From the Rock Wall is a collection of hundreds of oral histories, images, and other materials from people who have lived, played, worked, worshipped, or served in Black Chapel Hill and Carrboro, N.C. The site brings together neighbors and friends in dialogue and debate about Black life—past, present, and future. Following Mrs. Marian Cheek Jackson’s motto, “without the past, you have no future,” From the Rock Wall is all about finding guideposts in the past for achieving community justice now for the future. The hundreds of oral histories and related materials gathered here are a testament to our future.
From the Rock Wall reflects a primary commitment to learning from everyday history-makers; keeping Northside history vital, growing, and securing community ownership of our own histories. We invite you to explore the life histories, memories, and reflections that bear witness to abundant community and ongoing struggle. We also invite you to contribute your own history to this collection.
Learn more about From the Rock Wall.
Soundwalk of Northside
We invite you to take an audio tour of Northside, featuring the voices of more than a dozen longtime residents. The soundwalk is an invitation to listen to everyday history-makers while learning about some of the stories, struggles, and aspirations of our communities. This feature-length documentary, produced by Alexander Stephens, is designed to be listened to while walking through the Northside neighborhood.
Learn more about the soundwalk of Northside.
Historic Gateways
Northside neighbors have advocated for the placement of several historic gateways dedicated to the community’s activists, builders, educators, and faith leaders. These historic gateways make history tangible and serve as a creative placemaking strategy to advance the goal of “building a neighborhood that attracts a diverse range of individuals and families.”
Learn more about historic gateways in Northside.