"Pentimento, in art, is the reappearance in an original oil painting or drawing that the artist attempted to eradicate by painting over it. If the repainting becomes transparent ghostly images from the earlier work may become visible to the eye." 
 
 
Cities are, in their own ways, canvasses that depict the history, culture and dreams of the residents. Stories reflected there are ever changing but the past never really disappears and, if one looks closely enough, one can see traces of earlier times and their ongoing impact. Durham is a classic example of a city with a storied past intertwined with a modern vibrancy. While it has been awarded the designations of #1 City for Millennials in the United States, #13 Best Places to Live and Foodie Capitol of the South, the city also boasts three state historic sites and very significant African American history sites. @DurhamNC 

Before the appearance of Europeans the Durham region was inhabited by two tribes, the Eno and Occaneechi, and was probably the site of Adshusheer, a Native American village. The original Indian trade routes evolved into the Great Indian Trading Path, and as many as 18 shorter paths, ran from the Philadelphia area to the deep South facilitating trade and transport for settlers. Europeans built settlements near these paths thereby impacting North Carolina's  city placement. Bartlett Durham donated 4-acres of land to the NC Railroad Company in 1849. They built a station and a town grew up around it. That same year the first tobacco factory was established. Tobacco was a major crop in the region even pre-contact and its growth as a cash crop was an expansion of its uses by indigenous people for protection, prayer and medicinally.

Bennett Place

Duke Homestead

Washington Duke received 72-acres of farmland upon his marriage in 1842. He owned one female slave, Caroline, and leased an enslaved worker when needed. He served in the Confederate Navy and upon his return home he switched to tobacco manufacturing. In 1874 he moved to the city, constructed a 2-acre factory and 4 years later formed W. Duke, Sons & Co. The American Tobacco Company, the world's largest manufacturer, in 1890. The Supreme Court broke up the monopoly in 1911. 

Duke Homestead State Historic Site and Tobacco Museum complex features Washington Duke's home, farm and factories as they appeared from 1852-74 when the family lived there. The museum showcases tobacco processing from soil to sale. @DukeHomestead 

American Tobacco

Bert's Bees


While exploring you will come upon a small cedar cabin that, upon closer inspection is revealed to be the relocated home of Burt Shavitz, co-founder of Burt's Bees. The nearby headquarters has a creatively painted exterior and a viewing station where visitors can watch the bees. www.burtsbees.com 
One of the easiest ways to unearth the earlier history and culture that shaped us is through our culinary traditions.

 Durham is a dining destination and every meal is a treat. The eateries are unique I suggest you try as many as you able to. Here are 4 for the road that offer memorable food, outstanding service and affordability. 

True Flavors Diner. This is southern comfort food as art served with warmth and flair. @trueflavorsdiner 
Saltbox Seafood Joint. Fresh seafood presented in an atmosphere reminiscent of waterside seafood eateries. Chef Ricky Moore's daily menu is dependent upon the catch of the day. saltboxseafoodjoint.com 
dur_dames_logo 
Dame's Chicken and Waffles. Damion "Dame" Moore acknowledges the Harlem Renaissance roots of chicken and waffles and diners acknowledge the fact that Dames spin on the dish takes it to new levels. Try one of the "smears", flavored butters, that are a house specialty. Every dish is a masterpiece. Check out the online menu. @dameschickenandwaffles 
 
Uniquely Durham Shopping Tips: 

Amy May Pop Art. These handmade pop art treasures make perfect gifts. You can purchase an existing piece or have one personalized. @amymaypopart 
dur_vert_vogue 
Vert & Vogue has been featured in The New York Times and Southern Living. Here you can purchase exquisite global designer fashions created from quality natural fibers and textiles. vertandvogue.com 
dur_back_hist_trail 

Next Week: Durham's African American Heritage Trail  

Renee Gordon has written a weekly travel column for the Philadelphia Sun Newspaper for the past fifteen years and has published articles on local, national and international travel in numerous publications. Her columns focus on cultural, historic and heritage tourism and her areas of specialization are sites and attractions related to African American and African Diaspora history. Renee has been a guest radio commentator on various aspects of tourism and appeared in a documentary, "The Red Summer of 1919". As an educator for thirty years she was an English teacher, event and meeting planner, served as an educational consultant and intern-teacher mentor. She contributed to textbooks on women's history and classroom management and has facilitated workshops on both subjects. Renee considers herself a "missionary journalist" and as such she continues to promote heritage and sustainable tourism.

2013 Recipient of African Diaspora World Tourism Flame Keeper in Media Award for Travel Writing

Affiliations
IABTW- International Association of Black Travel Writers
PBJ - Progressive Black Journalists

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