While researching online, I came across a document submitted to the National Park Service that shocked me. In 2001, Edenton submitted a registration form to the National Register of Historic Places to expand the boundary of their historic district to include the structures designed by prominent African American builders (Architects). They wanted to preserve the ethnic heritage of these African Americans from 1883 to 1910.
In the Statement of Significance in the document below, Edenton acknowledged that in 1973, they chose to focus only on the "colonial and antebellum buildings and did not discuss the building traditions or contributions of the town's majority African-American population" (Section Number 8, p. 7). Part of their reason for doing this was because Edenton was just "climbing out of legal segregation," however, in 2001, Edenton felt this omission was regrettable (Section Number 8, p. 8).
Well, it is 2015, and I wonder if the Edenton town officials still see the need to preserve the ethnic heritage of their African American residents. Kadesh AME Zion Church members would say yes, since their historic building is in dire need of repair. The side of the church wall is held up by support beams. The above photo was taken in 2014 and is unsafe for parishioners to hold services.
Read the entire document. It gives detailed historic data on specific African Americans and they type of work and importance they had to the township. I discovered three of my relatives in the document. Also, the narratives give you a sense of the attitudes and climate of Edenton during the post Civil War periods.
In the Statement of Significance in the document below, Edenton acknowledged that in 1973, they chose to focus only on the "colonial and antebellum buildings and did not discuss the building traditions or contributions of the town's majority African-American population" (Section Number 8, p. 7). Part of their reason for doing this was because Edenton was just "climbing out of legal segregation," however, in 2001, Edenton felt this omission was regrettable (Section Number 8, p. 8).
Well, it is 2015, and I wonder if the Edenton town officials still see the need to preserve the ethnic heritage of their African American residents. Kadesh AME Zion Church members would say yes, since their historic building is in dire need of repair. The side of the church wall is held up by support beams. The above photo was taken in 2014 and is unsafe for parishioners to hold services.
Read the entire document. It gives detailed historic data on specific African Americans and they type of work and importance they had to the township. I discovered three of my relatives in the document. Also, the narratives give you a sense of the attitudes and climate of Edenton during the post Civil War periods.
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