Administrator’s Letter
Summer greetings from the Historic Resources and Museum Program. This issue of the Register highlights the creative arts throughout the HRM Program. Whether visiting exhibits at the COR Museum, a summer concert at Fletcher Park, or even participating in a program such as Create Moore! visitors can connect with their creative selves. Read more about these exciting opportunities in our newsletter and check the HRM Program’s website and Raleigh Parks social media channels for the most up-todate schedule, registration details, and program locations. All events are open to the public, with many offered free of charge.
In other exciting news, we welcomed a new staff member to the program. Dr. Paul Baker began duties as the first Director of the newly renamed John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Park. Most recently Dr. Baker served as the executive director of the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh. Paul also teaches in the Department of History and Political Science at North Carolina A & T State University. A native of Fairmont, North Carolina, Paul received a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Art/African American Studies, M.A. from North Carolina State University in Public History, and a Ph.D. from North Carolina A & T State University’s School of Education in Leadership Studies. Paul currently serves on the board of directors for the Zebulon Downtown Arts Council and was appointed in 2024 by Gov. Roy Cooper to the board of directors for the NC Arts Council. Please help us welcome Paul to the HRM team!
Troy
Burton Administrator
HRM Program
919-996-4772
troy.burton@raleighnc.gov
Chair’s Letter
Throughout history desserts have adorned our tables. Desserts are edible masterpieces of art that combines flavors, textures and presentation that often delight our senses, entice our palate and bring joy to our soul. Every dessert begins with a flavor, an ingredient or a memory. One or all these elements are molded and crafted into a scrumptious creation of divine sweetness that we look forward to after a satisfying meal. Desserts can be described as a creative work of art that bring a sweet conclusion to a meal. No meal is complete without the innovation and artistry of a divinely crafted dessert. Yes, no meal is complete without a well-crafted dessert, but a good dessert can also stand alone without a meal. NC Sugar Rush, held last month in downtown Raleigh offered six hours of pure sugar desserts that delightfully satisfied the sweet tooth. Italian Ice, Pineapple Smoothies, Funnel Cakes, Ice Cream, Popsicles, Cookies, Cupcakes, Cookie Dough, Vegan Treats, Beignets, Mini Donuts, Belgian Waffles and many more desserts were available. I know that my funnel cake was truly a creative work of art. The dough must be fried to golden perfection and the powdered sugar must be heavily sprinkled just right. Oh, just imagine the innovation and artistry of my funnel cake!
Audrey Morgan Chair HRM Advisory Board
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Cover Photograph: Young girls in ballet class probably held at the Y.W.C.A., before 2012
Collections Corner: Everyone’s Creative
Ainsley Powell, Curator of Collections
Writing – Novel entitled Adam Bede by George Eliot, which was the pen name of Mary Anne Evans, with an inscription “Miss Sally B. Haywood,” 1859
Ceramics – Commissioned by the City of Raleigh for the Bicentennial, this Rockhouse Pottery vase is adorned with oak leaves and acorns was made in Seagrove, N.C. by Ken Poole, 1991
Photography - These photographs of Evelyn Pope were taken by Sherard Studio, which was located on East Hargett Street, 1955-1965
Music – Sheet music used by “The Tobacco Tags,” on radio station W.P.T.F., 1944-1946
A Bright and Expanding Future
Paul Baker, John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Park Site Director
There is a bright and expanding future for the John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Park. As the Park’s new director, I look forward to offering cultural exposure to the community while preserving and promoting the African American experience in Southeast Raleigh. On April 15, 2025, with the approval of the Raleigh City Council, the John P. “Top” Greene Community Center officially became the John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Park and the building on the campus renamed to the John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center. The renaming effort was championed by the South ParkEast Raleigh Neighborhood Association (SPERNA) and the John P. “Top” Greene (JPTG) Community Advisory Group (CAG). The name change signifies a renewed and deepened commitment to highlight and support the surrounding African American communities through cultural events and programs, as well as interpretive exhibits. On June 22, 2025, the Park will host a renaming ceremony to welcome the public and provide a glimpse of what is to come. The event will feature live music and an art exhibition featuring local African American artists Shawn Etheridge, Jermaine JP Powell, Renee Neptune, Christopher Evans and Dare Coulter. In addition, African American artists and creatives will feature items for sale in the redesigned Center store.
Along with Museum Mornings on First Fridays, there will be a programming calendar for the summer to feature artist talks, musical performances, and literary events.
The Park and Center are slated for redesign and expansion with funding made possible through the 2022 Parks Bond. Renovations will include extensive site and landscape improvements, a new building, enhanced program space, interpretive displays, genealogy lab, and a sound studio. The campus will also serve as the trailhead for another Parks Bond Referendum initiative, the South Park Heritage Trail. The trail consists of a 2.6-mile interpretive loop through portions of downtown Raleigh featuring the City greenway, local parks, cultural landmarks, and South Park neighborhoods.
John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center at the Cultural Park
Arts and Crafts
Kathryn Neuhart, Curator of Exhibits and Design
The exhibits team creates work intended for practical use with a specific purpose in mind. Historical and visual research, text, images, and objects are incorporated into a visual design. Here is one of the latest projects:
Planting Power: 100 Years of the Raleigh Garden Club opened in April at the COR Museum. The design of nine individual panels was inspired by vintage seed packets from the early to mid-1900s, which featured large images of plants or vegetables. Seed packets of that era were printed through a process called lithography. Think about a drawing of wax on a metal plate. The waxy surface is receptive to ink, and the metal surface repels ink. Apply ink, press your paper to the surface, and voila, a lithograph is made. (We used the modern method of digital printing on polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It’s strong and durable, and fits within the timeline and budget.)
In addition, large three-dimensional replicas of flowers native to North Carolina are scattered throughout the gallery. Patterns were made for each flower (Rose, Iris, Daffodil, Poppy, and Black-eyed Susan), and each petal was traced and cut by hand. Once the full pattern for a flower was complete, construction could begin by forming the petals and securing with glue. Stems were made by cutting and forming pipe.
A design-your-own seed packet interactive is intended to spark the creativity in each visitor. This activity allows guests to choose a three-dimensional flower to draw (or use a stencil), add details like the type of plant, growing instructions, and name of your company.
There are more discoveries built into this exhibit, which is open until March 1, 2026, so please find time to check it out!
Panels and flowers on display in the gallery.
Plants on display were grown in the City of Raleigh greenhouse.
Design-your-own seed packet examples
A Bee in the Breeches
By: Samuel Fox Mordecai
A bee in the bonnet, the hat, or the cap
May cause rather queer acts and speeches
But such action and speech are as nothing My dear, to those caused by a bee in the breeches. The agonized grab, the spasmodic slap, The yells of “hell-fire and damnation!”
Show plainly a bee in the breeches is something As bad as typhoid vaccination!
In 1927, Samuel Fox Mordecai published Mordecai’s Miscellanies, a collection of his poems and stories, many of which were humorous.
Upcoming Events
Create Moore!
Every Friday
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Moore Square
The Square becomes a creative space for exploration on Friday mornings with our Create Moore! Series. Park staff will guide guests through various themed and seasonal STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) experiences using a rich variety of materials.
Lunch Box Lectures
Thursday, July 17
Thursday, August 21
Thursday, September 19
12 - 1 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Feed your belly and your brain! Bring your lunch to the COR Museum and listen to a captivating lecture every third Thursday of the month. These free lectures will run for 30 minutes and topics vary each month.
Evelyn’s Book Club
Wednesday, July 30
Wednesday, August 27
Wednesday, September 24
6:30 - 8 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Kick off the summer by reading! In honor of Evelyn Pope, the Pope House Museum is starting a book club! Registration is required on RecLink using keyword ‘Evelyn’s.’
Jazz in the Square
Thursdays, August 7, 14, and 28
Thursdays, September 11, 18, and 25
6 - 8 p.m.
Moore Square
Jazz in the Square is a free concert series presented by Downtown Raleigh Alliance. At each installment, there will be beverage vendors with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.
Mordecai’s Miscellanies, 1927
Museum Mornings on First Friday
Friday, August 1
Friday, September 5
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center
Explore Raleigh’s Black history exhibit, Centuries in the Making: A Cultural Legacy of the South Park and East Raleigh Neighborhoods. Enjoy with coffee and conversation.
Family Fun Day Baseball!
Saturday, August 9
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Join us for a program that is both educational and entertaining for families. This program will run the second Saturday of each month, where you’ll find a fresh theme that allows you to explore the museum in exciting and new ways. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to bond with your family while learning something new each month!
Nash Square History Stroll
Friday, August 8
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Nash Square
Nash Square is one of Raleigh’s original “Beautiful Breathing Spaces.” Take a guided stroll through the park to learn more about its beginnings and historical significance. Visit the Fallen Firefighters Memorial and walk among some of the oldest trees in the city. *Walk is about 30 minutes. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Free Friday
Friday, August 29
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mordecai Historic Park
Free tours will be offered throughout the day on this special Friday! Tours include the Mordecai House, Andrew Johnson’s birthplace, St. Mark’s Chapel, and the Allen Kitchen. The first tour will begin at 10 a.m. and the last tour starts at 3 p.m. Tours start every 30 minutes and are limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Free event, no registration is necessary. Please call 919-996-4364 for more information.
Family Fun Day Pirates!
Saturday, September 13
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Join us for a program that is both educational and entertaining for families. This program will run the second Saturday of each month, where you’ll find a fresh theme that allows you to explore the museum in exciting and new ways. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to bond with your family while learning something new each month!
Fall “Nash-Up” at Nash Square
Friday, September 19
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join Moore Square staff for some fun fall art and nature activities at Historic Nash Square. Appropriate for all ages.
Historic Resources and Museum Program
In July 2012, Raleigh City Council created the Historic Resources and Museum Program, hereinafter the HRM Program, with the express purpose of protecting and programming identified cultural, museum, and historic resources within the City of Raleigh.
The HRM Program manages operations and programs at:
• Borden Building and Stone Circle at Fletcher Park
• City of Raleigh Museum
• Fred Fletcher Amphitheater at Fletcher Park
• John Chavis Memorial Park Carousel – Conservation
• John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Park
• Latta University Historic Park
• Moore Square
• Mordecai Historic Park
• Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
• Pullen Park Historic Attractions
• Raleigh Trolleys
• Tucker House
Additionally, The HRM Program manages an artifact collection consisting of more than 30,000 fine and decorative material culture objects.
Raleigh Register
HRM Program Staff
HRM PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Troy Burton
Troy.Burton@RaleighNC.gov
HRM PROGRAM DIRECTOR
HISTORIC SITES
Douglas Porter
Douglas.Porter@RaleighNC.gov
HRM PROGRAM DIRECTOR MUSEUMS
Ernest Dollar
Ernest.Dollar@RaleighNC.gov
HRM CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS
Ainsley Powell
Ainsley.Powell@RaleighNC.gov
HRM CURATOR OF EXHIBITS AND DESIGN
Kathryn Neuhart
Kathryn.Neuhart@RaleighNC.gov
CITY OF RALEIGH MUSEUM
DIRECTOR
Abby Kellerman
Abigail.Kellerman@RaleighNC.Gov
Tucker House 418 N Person Street Raleigh, NC 27601
POPE HOUSE MUSEUM SITE DIRECTOR
Hazel Boomer
Hazel.Boomer@RaleighNC.gov
JOHN P. “TOP” GREENE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL PARK SITE DIRECTOR
Paul Baker
Paul.Baker@RaleighNC.gov
MOORE SQUARE SITE DIRECTOR
David Gill
David.Gill@RaleighNC.gov
MOORE SQUARE ASSISTANT SITE DIRECTOR
Mykey WIlliams
Mykey.Williams@RaleighNC.gov
MOORE SQUARE PROGRAM MANAGER
Nancy Dragotta
Nancy.Dragotta@RaleighNC.gov
US Postage PAID
Raleigh, NC
Permit No. 813
HISTORIC SITES MANAGER
Josh Ingersoll
Joshua.Ingersoll@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC SITES ASSISTANT MANAGER
Kimberly Oliver
Kimberly.Oliver@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS DIRECTOR
Scott Mott
Scott.Mott@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS PROGRAM MANAGER
Savannah Hubbard
Savannah.Hubbard@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Andrew Boos
Andrew.Boos@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
Mandy Hunter-Kelly
Amanda.Hunter-Kelly@RaleighNC.gov
raleighnc.gov/museums
Raleigh Parks | Historic Resources and Museum Program