Welcome to the Supporters of Durham 150 newsletter, designed to keep those interested in Durham’s sesquicentennial updated on all the planning activities surrounding the yearlong commemoration.
Durham 150 Staff Highlight
As we mentioned last week when we introduced you to Durham 150 project manager, Gineen Cargo, there’s an amazing amount of activity taking place behind the scenes to commemorate the City of Durham’s 150th anniversary (more than the staff of Discover Durham or the Museum of Durham History could dream of staying on top of on our own!). The Durham 150 staff has been coordinating a grant program, 150+ events, signature events, sponsorships, marketing efforts, historical content, and more.
This week, we’d like to take a moment to introduce Shadé Shakur, Durham 150 project assistant. She has been a Durhamite for a decade who has worked in mental health, K-12 education, and grassroots community collaboration throughout Durham and the country. Shadé owns Approaching Zenith, where she works in youth mental health and vision development and supporting healthy lifestyles for entrepreneurs. She also co-owns The Ink Is Dry LLC, an independent artist, writer, and performance company with her mother and three sisters. She is married with three children.
As the project assistant, Shadé is committed to sharing the vision and events of the sesquicentennial to build community and celebrate Durham.
Got Your Durham 150 Merch?
We love seeing folks around town in Durham 150 gear! If you haven’t gotten yours yet, we have t-shirts, hats, magnets, and stickers available at
www.Durham150.org/store. If you’re a retailer interested in carrying Durham 150 merchandise,
let us know.
Taking a Moment to Thank our Sponsors
In June, we thanked our Bicentennial Builders sponsors — businesses and individuals working to ensure Durham’s success into our community’s 200th year. Here, we’d like to thank the Community & Business Partners committed to helping us achieve the mission of Durham 150.
- M&F Bank
- Morningstar Law Group
- MHAworks
- Gateway Building Company
- FHI360
- American AV
- Amy Unell
Their contributions will allow us to work toward our mission to recognize Durham’s past, present, and future with a year of events, activities, and community engagement.
You can find a full list of Durham 150 sponsors on
our website.
Upcoming Durham 150 Events
There are a host of significant events coming up for people of all ages and walks of life. Many are free and designed to help us all learn more about Durham’s past, present, and future. Find a searchable listing of all events
here.
Durham Early Jazz and Swing Exhibit Opening
July 5
6-8PM
Museum of Durham History
500 W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701
Full Frame School of DocDurham 150 Grantee
July 23, 2019
6-8 p.m.
Full Frame Theater at American Tobacco Campus
Blackwell St., Durham, NC 27701
Historical Note
With the Fourth of July just around the corner, USA Baseball will take on Cuba at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in what has become an eight-year Independence Day tradition. We thought we’d share a little bit about Durham’s role in the origin of baseball cards.
While some might think that bubble gum served as the first distribution method of baseball cards, it was actually tobacco companies that did at the start of the 1900s. It wasn’t just any tobacco company that was credited with the cards’ rapid rise in popularity, but then one of the largest tobacco companies in the world — American Tobacco Company, headquartered in what today is the American Tobacco Campus.
Do you know what the most valuable baseball card in history is? It’s a card dating back to 1909-1911 of Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner. The card is extremely rare; Honus was upset by the American Tobacco Company using his likeness on an advertisement, and he refused permission almost immediately after production of his card started.
The Museum of Durham History opened an exhibit at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park a few years ago explaining Durham’s role in the rise of baseball cards. It was so popular that the exhibit is still up inside the concourse today and also featured on their
website.
Do you have a friend, family member or colleague who would be interested in receiving these Durham 150 newsletters? Let them know they can subscribe to updates on Durham 150
here.
Sincerely,
Shelly Green & Patrick Mucklow
Co-Chairs, Durham 150
