Preservation Raleigh

SUNDAY TROLLEY TOUR: Hop on the Historic Raleigh Trolley this Sunday and learn about the fascinating history of historic house moving in the City of Oaks. Ride around in the air conditioned trolley while a tour guide shows you houses that have been moved, and explains why! 🏠

The City of Raleigh hosts regular Saturday Tours that leave from the Mordecai Historic Park on Saturdays from March through December. This weekend features three special tours on SUNDAY, leaving at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00! Cost is $15 and you'll need to register ahead on RecLink. Learn more and register below:

Discover Raleigh’s 200-year history of relocating historic structures! Hop aboard the Historic Raleigh Trolley this Sunday, Oct. 4, departing from Mordecai Historic Park.

Get more details & purchase tickets: https://bit.ly/4y5ZynG

*2026 Annual Historic Church Walk and Open House- THIS SATURDAY!

*9:00 - noon, Saturday October 3

*Downtown Raleigh, NC

Have you ever driven by the beautiful old churches downtown and wondered what they look like inside?

The historic churches surrounding the North Carolina State Capitol will open their doors for those participating in the annual Community Historic Church Walk. Visitors are invited to meander through the sanctuaries at their own pace and then stroll down the sidewalk to the next church on the Walk.

Greeters will be on hand to answer questions and point out details and items of interest, as each church offers a unique glimpse into its physical and spiritual presence in the Downtown Raleigh Community. Balloons and "Community of Historic Churches" signs will mark the locations, and Church Walk handouts will be available at each of the participating churches.

Please join us for this free, popular family event!

Start anywhere, and visit in any order you wish.

Look for balloons at church entrances and "Community of Historic Churches" signs along the route.

Handout with map and information available at every church on the Walk.

Churches are numbered in chronological order from 1811 to 1879.

1. Edenton Street United Methodist Church: 228 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
2. First Baptist Church, Salisbury St.: 99 North Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 2701
3. First Baptist Church, Wilmington St.: 101 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
4. First Presbyterian Church: Morgan Street at Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
5. Christ Church: 127 E. Edenton, Raleigh, NC 27601
6. St. Paul A.M.E. Church: 402 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
7.Church of the Good Shepherd: 125 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
8. Sacred Heart Church: 200 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Learn more: https://www.downtownraleighchurches.org/

Each month, Preservation Raleigh publishes our newsletter! We encourage you to subscribe to it to learn more about the many issues we are advocating for.

For September, learn more about the
Tourist Homes that lined Wake Forest Rd. in the 1930s, our Hidden Gems tour of the NC State Belltower, rezonings in the news, 4th Ward Recognition, and our Volunteer of the month Chris Crew.

Link in bio or here: https://mailchi.mp/03fc82c8fd63/sept2026

September News from Preservation Raleigh: Tourist Homes * Hidden Gems * Litchford House * 4th Ward * Volunteer of the month + more! https://mailchi.mp/03fc82c8fd63/sept2026

Featured Coverage: Should NC's government sell its underused historic Raleigh houses? WUNC News Article (Aug 26, 2026) linked below

A recent WUNC News report highlights growing concerns over several state-owned historic homes near the governor’s mansion in downtown Raleigh. While properties like the Jenkins House (1928) host state office workers, others—such as the Wilson House (1918), the Handy House (1908), and the Andrews-London House (1924)—are currently used as storage facilities for exhibit boxes and fire extinguishers, or sit vacant and deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance. A state-mandated real estate inventory due in November 2026 may prompt legislators to consider selling underutilized properties. However, preservationists and neighbors warn against unconditioned sales, citing one of our Places in Peril the Beckwith-Farlow House (1898), which faces potential demolition if a buyer cannot move it to clear space for a planned state parking garage. (pictured here) Please read the full article by Colin Campbell at the link.

**Preservation Raleigh Response**

Historic properties, like those mentioned in the WUNC article, carry with them the responsibility of proper stewardship to ensure they will remain part of the built environment that gives Raleigh its unique character. If a governmental entity like the State of North Carolina owns the properties, it is their duty to maintain and monitor them, including appropriate use and occupancy. If the government entity chooses to transfer ownership to private parties, the stewardship responsibility remains the same. The new owners must agree to the same level of maintenance and care to ensure the longevity of the historic properties.

An addition of protective easements prior to any private sale would ensure that these historic structures remain assets to our community for generations to come.

One of the properties mentioned in the article, the Beckwith-Farlow House on Wilmington Street, has no such easements or municipal protections. This has put it in an especially precarious situation, and it is an example of what can happen when there is no regulatory oversight.

Preservation Raleigh will continue to advocate for the preservation of these historic homes, and post updates as we are able. Thank you to North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC for this reporting!

https://www.wunc.org/politics/2026-08-26/nc-state-government-sell-underused-historic-raleigh-houses-oakwood-storage

With the restoration of The Gables making headlines, Raleigh’s 1930s roadside history is stepping back into the spotlight. Long before I-95, U.S. Route 1 ran down Wake Forest Road and Person Street, inspiring homeowners to open “tourist homes” to weary drivers. Explore the rise of these early bed-and-breakfasts, the story behind The Gables, and the surviving historic structures that still line the Mordecai corridor today. Read our latest blog, linked in comments below.

For Sale! Here are a few more photos of the Furr House, which is ready for its next chapter. More info on the Preservation NC listing!