Symbol Of Black American Freedom
Built in the early 20th century, these shotgun houses are nestled in the city’s oldest Black neighborhood, Happy Hill, dating back to 1872. These houses echo the Black experience throughout the South. Their architectural style is an iconic symbol of Black American freedom. Relatively inexpensive to construct, the shotgun house is
rectangular, one room wide, and up to three rooms deep with a front porch. This architectural style originated from Yorubaland (West Africa) via Haiti to the American South. The word shotgun itself is derived from the Yoruba word “to-gun.” In Yoruba this word means place of assembly, or where people gather.
shotgun house legacy site
The Shotgun House Legacy Site will illuminate the Black/African American story from a local perspective and illustrate how the Happy Hill neighborhood and the greater Winston-Salem community fits within the national narrative.
Through the restoration of the early twentieth-century shotgun house, the site will serve as a vivid depiction of the lived experiences of individuals, particularly during pivotal periods such as Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, and other landmark events that have profoundly shaped the African American experiences locally and nationally.
what you'll experience
Authentic historic interiors, furnishings and artifacts that reveal daily life in the 20th century
Authentic historic Interiors
Oral histories from former residents and descendants
oral histories
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Foodways demonstrations and cultural programming tied to African American heritage
Cultural Programming
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Exhibits & panels highlighting community stories, occupations, and traditions
exhibits and Panels
phase one
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Scholars Examining the City's African American Historical Context
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Master-planning Process
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Research & Development
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Capital Fundraising
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Monthly Community Beautification
2023-2024
2024
phase two
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
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Replace/Pour West Footers
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West Side Brick Piers
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Replace/Pour East Footers
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East Side Brick Piers
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Roof Repair
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Floor Joist/Flooring Repair
OCTOBER-JANUARY
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Electrical/Mechanical Rough Inspection
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Insulation & Inspection
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Interior Build Back/New Construction
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Interior Paint
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Completion of the Legacy Site (March)
2025
phase three
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Build out of the full Shotgun House Legacy Site Master Plan begins
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Capital Campaign for Legacy Site Multi-Use Center begins
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Tours Begin of the Shotgun House
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Monthly Community Beautification
shotgun house
legacy site ribbon cutting
There was a celebration in Winston-Salem’s first Black neighborhood; with more than 100 people gathered on Humphrey Street in the historic Happy Hill neighborhood for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Triad Cultural Arts Inc. (TCA) held for the first renovated shotgun house. This moment is a culmination of dedication, perseverance and a shared commitment to preserving the rich history of the Black experience in Winston-Salem.
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become A legacy site Ambassador
Help us mobilize our City around this important initiative
join with Triad Cultural Arrts to save our historry
Help us lift the historic story of Happy Hill, Winston-Salem’s first planned African American community, out of obscurity and herald the architecturally significant shotgun house as an iconic symbol of African American freedom! Let’s repurpose their use for education and the perpetuation of African American history and culture for generations to come!
meet our sponsors
