Digital resources are very important for the Museum of Durham History when it conducts research for exhibits. Over the next few weeks, the Museum will post a scavenger hunt that will guide you through some of the sources we use to help explore Durham’s history.

The North Carolina Digital Heritage Center is a statewide digitization and digital publishing program that works with cultural heritage institutions of all sizes across North Carolina to digitize and publish historic materials online. The Museum uses the archives to read historic newspapers such as The Carolina Times, find businesses in city and county directories, and to locate people through local yearbooks. This scavenger hunt will show you how to utilize the website and what types of information you can learn.

To get started, visit digitalnc.org. Click on “Yearbooks” on the left, then “Browse High School Yearbooks.” Search for Durham in the search bar and click on Durham High School. Click on 1917 to explore the first yearbook.

1. How many students were in the senior class that year?
2. What sport had both a boy’s and girl’s team?
3. Did any African American students attend Durham High School this year?

Go back to the list of years. Click on 1943.

4. Who was the yearbook dedicated too this year? What global event was happening this year?
5. What changes to the physical education classes were made to support the war effort? (Hint: Page 129).
6. Did any African American students attend Durham High School this year?

Go back to the list of years. Click on 1960.

7. Under the senior class section, find the names McKissick and Scurlock, and under the junior class, find the name Brame. What happened during the school year?

8. Are these students shown in any club, sports, or committee pictures? What does this mean?

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