For the seventh year, local historian Glenn Chavis will be offering guided walking tours of historic Washington Street. The first one will be Saturday, April 21. They will be offered the third Saturday of each month through September.
Washington Street was a thriving business and entertainment district for High Point's black community during the period of segregation. Its prominence declined after integration, but it has drawn a lot of attention in recent years during discussions about revitalizing High Point's core city area. The city maintains an interest in seeing it develop further.
Washington Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The walking tours, cosponsored by the High Point Museum and Changing Tides Cultural Center, will offer participants the opportunity to step back in time.
"Without knowing its history, it can be hard for someone to look at Washington Street today and imagine it as the bustling area it once was," Edith Brady, Museum Director, said. "Taking a tour with Glenn Chavis changes all that. He brings the street to life with descriptions and stories from its past."
Each tour, lasting approximately 90 minutes, will begin at Changing Tides Cultural Center, 613 Washington Street at 8 am. The walking tours are free of charge. Call the Museum at 336-885-1859 for more information.
The High Point Museum, a division of the High Point Public Library, is dedicated to sharing Greater High Point’s history, providing perspective for current issues, and strengthening the sense of community.
The City of High Point aims to serve as the catalyst for bringing together the community’s human, economic and civic resources for the purpose of creating the single most livable, safe and prosperous community in America. For more information on the City, visit www.highpointnc.gov
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