This is event is a collaboration between the Durham County Library and the Museum of Durham History. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor:

Friday, August 15, 6pm-8pm, is prime time to visit or re-visit Soul Souvenirs: Durham’s Musical Memories of the 1960s and 1970s at the Durham History Hub, 500 W. Main Street. This no-charge celebration of Durham’s rich heritage of soul, funk and R&B musicis open to the public.

Launching a few days earlier, on August 11, is the companion online exhibit “Bull City Soul” on the website of the Durham County Library’s North Carolina Collection. The web exhibit uses the soul music scene as a window into Durham’s cultural history and its African American community. The Hub exhibit, web exhibit and August 15 event are a partnership effort of the Durham County Library and the Museum of Durham History.

MoDH board member Joshua Clark Davis, CarolinaSoul.org founder Jason Perlmutter, and graphic designer Lincoln Hancock created Soul Souvenirs. The visual and audio display at the Hub touches upon the origins, influences, politics, history, venues, businesses, media, music and musicians of the 1960s and 1970s in Durham.  Featured are Nick Allen, Johnny White, John Snells, the Black Experience Band, Blue Steam, the Communicators, Duralcha, the Modulations, NCCU, Risse, and more.

The August 15 celebration features a little wine, a few munchies and some memorable music by Johnny White and the Elite Band. The legendary group performs from 6pm-6:30pm and from 7:30pm-8pm. Between sets is a panel discussion by three soul and funk musicians from the 70s: Charles Bailey (the Black Experience Band), Vernelle Mack (Positive Approach, The Essence of Truth) and Stanley Saunders (Duralcha, Family Sircle).

The Hub exhibit and event are made possible by Presenting Sponsor North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Gold Sponsors Durham County Library and Merge Records; and Silver Sponsors: Downtown Durham Inc. and Benjamin Speller; plus a host of “Soul Supporters.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Soul Supporter can do so with a $250 tax-deductible donation through http://museumofdurhamhistory.org/blog/become-a-soul-supporter/. Soul Supporters will each receive a Durham soul record to keep when the exhibit comes down. Email the Museum’s Executive Director Katie Spencer at kspencer@modh.org for details. 

Durham County Library encourages Discovery, connects the Community and leads in Literacy. As a department of Durham County Government, the library furthers Goal 1 of the county’s Strategic Plan by enhancing cultural, educational and creative opportunities. For more information about the library, visit durhamcountylibrary.org.

The Museum of Durham History is a 21st-century museum that uses stories about people, places and things to foster curiosity, encourage further inquiry, and promote an understanding of diverse perspectives about the Durham community and its history.The Museum’s home, the History Hub, is located at 500 W. Main St. and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am – 5pm. There is no admission charge. For more information, see www.modh.org.

Special thanks to our Gold Sponsors:

Special thanks to our Silver Sponsors: Downtown Durham, Inc. & Benjamin F. Speller, Jr.

And a big thanks to our Soul Supporters!