Historic Halifax Triangle Walking Tour, April 30
The Historic Petersburg Foundation (HPF) will sponsor a free walking tour of Petersburg’s Historic Halifax Triangleon Thursday, April 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. The tour begins at First Baptist Church at 236 Harrison Street, one of theoldest black churches in the U.S. and home to one of the first local schools in the nation for African-American […]
The Historic Petersburg Foundation (HPF) will sponsor a free walking tour of Petersburg’s Historic Halifax Triangleon Thursday, April 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. The tour begins at First Baptist Church at 236 Harrison Street, one of theoldest black churches in the U.S. and home to one of the first local schools in the nation for African-American children. The walk will continue throughout the district focusing on other area churches, schools, clubs and businesses that are not only a significant part of Petersburg’s history, but of our nation’s African-American history, as well.
The Halifax Triangle, also known as “The Avenue” has been the center of black culture, business and entrepreneurship from the 1880s through its years as Petersburg’s black business center in the 1970s. Some even referred to it as the “Harlem of the South” due to the rotation of nationally known musical acts such as James Brown, Tina Turner and Otis Redding.
The tour will be led by Dawn Holmes, a member of HPF’s History Committee and part time tour guide for the City of Petersburg’s Department of Tourism; and Lee M. Stith, Jr., president of the Triangle Center for Development and author of “Watch Ov’em Gene,” a book about life in the Triangle. The walking tour is limited to the first 30 registrants. Reservations must be made in advance by calling HPF at 732-2096 and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
HPF is a non-profit organization dedicated to leading the preservation and restoration of Petersburg’s historic architecture and neighborhoods and to tell their story.
For more information on the presentation, call HPF at (804) 732-2096.
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