Administrator’s Letter
Greetings from the Historic Resources and Museums (HRM) Program! The spring edition of the Raleigh Register focuses on HRM Program matriarchs. One of the best ways the HRM Program elevates women’s voices is through exhibits and events that focus on their historical impact. For example, the “Women of Change: The Legacy of the 19th Amendment” exhibit at COR Museum highlights the tireless work of local and national suffragists and civic leaders who fought for enfranchisement. Also, on March 15th in celebration of Women’s History Month, Mordecai Historic Park is offering a Women’s History Trolley Tour, inviting participants to explore Raleigh through the lens of influential women. This engaging tour highlights leaders who broke barriers in politics, civil rights, civic life, and more. Beyond exhibits and tours, the HRM Program’s stewardship of historic sites — from the Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum (which preserves African American heritage) to Moore Square and Pullen Park — creates space for ongoing reflection on community, identity, and leadership. In celebrating Raleigh’s matriarchs, the HRM Program not only preserves artifacts and sites but also honors the resilience, creativity, and leadership of women who shaped our city. Enjoy!
Troy Burton Administrator
HRM Program 919-996-4772
troy.burton@raleighnc.gov
Cover Photograph: Possibly Anne Phillips Caldwell and two of three daughters, ca. 1880
Chair’s Letter
Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead once wrote, “Women have always been the guardians of the moral life of the tribe,” observing how matriarchs across cultures both amplify and preserve tradition, memory, and community bonds. In Raleigh, generations of women have shaped the city in ways both subtle and profound. Pioneering dressmaker Willie Otey Kay’s elegant couture crossed racial lines during the Jim Crow era, while the city’s first female mayor, Isabella Cannon, ushered in a transformational chapter in public leadership. Sisters Ruth and Evelyn Pope are remembered for their enduring legacy of education, culture, and community, now thoughtfully interpreted at their family home, the Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum. This historic and cultural gem would not exist without the tireless determination of Edna Rich-Ballentine, a steward of generational memory, a historic preservation stalwart, and the matriarch of the Prince Hall Historic District, Raleigh’s first Black and mixed use local historic district. Their legacies, and those of so many others like them, remind us that our history is carried forward by these most precious guardians.
Jenny Harper Chair
HRM Advisory Board
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Collections Corner: Mothering
Ainsley Powell, Curator of Collections
Merle Lloydine and her mother Susie Vick Perry standing in front of the family home, ca. 1960, Courtesy of South Park –East Raleigh Neighborhood Association
Pine State advertisement for breakfast preparation, 1966
Possibly Ruth and Evelyn Pope with an unknown friend, playing with dolls, ca. 1915
Children’s Doll-E-Feeding Time set, ca. late 1950s
Elizabeth Buffaloe Scott and Rosa Dughi Buffaloe, ca. 1920s
Margaret Mordecai Little, taken at Wharton Studio on Fayetteville Street, 1898, Courtesy of Capital Area Preservation, Inc.
Bible owned by Margaret Lane Morel and given to her by her mother, Ellen Mordecai Mordecai, printed 1844, gifted 1879, Courtesy of Capital Area Preservation, Inc.
Moore Square Matriarchs: Celebrating Mollie Huston Lee, the “Librarian’s Librarian”
Nancy Dragotta, Moore Square Programs Manager
Mrs. Mollie Huston Lee worked as a librarian at Shaw University. During her time there, Lee recognized a need for access to Black literature through the public library system. She opened a small storefront in 1935 on East Hargett Street across from Moore Square in the Delaney Building. Mrs. Lee was the first Black librarian in Wake County and was integral in the creation of the Richard B. Harrison Library, the first library in Wake County that served the African American community. Lee eventually expanded her outreach, delivering books to local businesses and hospitals, including St. Agnes Hospital, and helped provide children with access to educational and recreational tools. Mollie Huston Lee inspires much of the work we do at Moore Square today. In addition to providing a space to read and play, Moore Square also shares reading materials through an onsite lending library. Lee truly is a Moore Square matriarch.
Hear about more matriarchs of Moore Square on the park’s “Through the Threshold” tours.
Mollie Huston Lee at her desk, 1944. Courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina
Patrons at the Richard B. Harrison Library, taken by Elizabeth Reid Murray, 1961.
Jackie Blount
Stephanie Davis, Mordecai Historic Park Museum Educator
Mary Sumner Blount (1777–1822), known as “Jackie,” was a North Carolina philanthropist whose charitable legacy was remarkable not only for its impact but also for the authority she exercised as a woman in the early 19th century. She was born to Revolutionary War General Jethro Sumner and later married Congressman Thomas Blount.
After being widowed in 1812 without children, she retained control over their substantial estate. This was an uncommon occurrence at this time due to coverture laws which severely restricted women’s legal and financial autonomy. In an era when married women generally did not independently own property and even those who did often faced social and legal constraints, Blount decisively directed her wealth toward religious and civic purposes.
Upon her sudden death in 1822, she bequeathed between $10,000 and $15,000 to fund the construction of a church in Raleigh. Her executors carried out her wishes, assisting in the establishment of Christ Episcopal Church, which remains an active parish and historic landmark. Her will also funded a monument honoring her father at what is now Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
By asserting control over her estate and directing it toward lasting public benefit, Blount exemplified an unusually powerful form of female philanthropy for her time.
This 1820 portrait of Mary Sumner “Jackie” Blount hangs in the Mordecai House. Mrs. Blount willed the painting to Moses Mordecai just prior to her death in 1822. Courtesy of Capital Area Preservation, Inc.
Ruth Pope
Hazel Boomer, Site Director, Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
The Dr. M.T. Pope House would like to honor Ruth Pope, who dedicated her life and career to nurturing young minds. Ruth Pope was born on January 31st, 1910, to Delia and Manassa T. Pope in their home in Raleigh, North Carolina. While in high school, she took a special interest in Home Economics, which led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in the subject from Shaw University in 1931 and a master’s in education from Columbia University in New York City in 1940. She first taught at Burgaw High School in Burgaw, North Carolina, where she was well-loved by her students, even receiving Valentine’s Day cards. For the rest of her career, she taught home economics at Washington High School, now Chapel Hill High School. Her class was so well-liked that even the boys enrolled! Her most popular class was Childcare and Development, where the students had hands-on learning at a childcare center located inside the school. Outside of class, Ruth could be found mentoring young girls. She was a part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and was also involved in the Alpha Theta Omega Chapter, which put on the debutante balls for young Black girls in Raleigh. While Ruth did not have children of her own, she helped nurture a generation through teaching, mentorship, and maintained close relationships with young women.
Ruth Pope, date unknown
This Valentine’s card was most likely given to Ruth Pope by a student at Burgaw High School. 1931-1936
This clipping from The Chapel Hill News announced Ruth’s retirement from Chapel Hill High School on June 22, 1975.
Matriarchs in Action: the Raleigh Female Benevolent Society
Kimberly Oliver, Administrative Support Specialist
During the 19th century, matriarchs weren’t found just in Raleigh’s homes, but also in public doing charitable work. The Raleigh Female Benevolent Society, founded in 1821, took on poverty and education inequality, and promised paying jobs to women who needed to work to support their families.
The Society was ruled by middle- and upper-class white women who sought donations to aid women known as “distressed females”: widows, wives abandoned by their husbands, and girls without a clear or promising future. They aimed, as stated in their Constitution, “to promote order and industry” and “to discourage idleness and vice as far as possible.” While providing important support, the Society distinguished between the “worthy” poor - those willing to work to improve their circumstances - and those who simply desired handouts.
Modeled as a revolving fund, the Society accepted donations of money and raw materials to supply lessons on fiber arts. Students created clothing and household linens which the Society then sold. Profits went back into the organization to fund additional programs and a free Charity School for girls. Membership fees and event proceeds, including an annual sermon, plays, fairs, and craft sales, raised additional funds.
In 1843 the Society’s leading member, Sally Hawkins Polk, passed away, and membership and donations decreased dramatically. By 1849, the need faced by the Society far outpaced its resources and the officers voted to close the organization. A century later The News and Observer remembered the Society’s influence and the work of its matriarchs, even as their deeds faded into the city’s past.
The Society relied on donations and the sale of handcrafted items, as advertised in the Raleigh Register, 1830.
Upcoming Events
Spring Black Neighborhood Walking Tour
April 4 - June 21
Saturdays, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sundays, 2 p.m.
Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
Put some spring in your step as you explore Raleigh’s historic and influential Black neighborhood, the Third Ward. Just around Shaw University, it’s a wonderful place full of culture, business, and learning. Be sure to register to join in the fun!
Walk Moore!
Every Wednesday in April, May, and June 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Moore Square
Walking is a great way to support mental and physical health. Join Park staff and other guests for a leisurely, low-impact stroll around the Square and take in the nature sights as well as learn a little about the history of the park and the surrounding features.
Lunchbox Lecture Series
Thursdays, April 9, May 14, and June 11
12 – 1 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Bring your lunch and listen to a lecture! Every month will be a new topic. Lectures will run 3040 minutes and will begin shortly after 12 p.m. to give people time to get settled. We can’t wait for you to join us!
Skate Moore Square with Sk8 Raleigh
April 10 – 12
Time TBA
Moore Square
Downtown Raleigh is popping up again with Skate Moore Square — the city’s signature skatepark series transforming Moore Square into a hub of ramps, rails, roller skates, and community energy for all ages. Presented by Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Raleigh Parks, and Friends of Moore Square.
Create Moore!
Fridays, April 10 – June 26
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Moore Square
The Square becomes a creative space for exploration on Friday mornings with our Create Moore! series. Park staff will guide guests through various themed and seasonal STEAM experiences using a rich variety of materials.
Through the Thresholds: History of Moore Square Walking Tour
April 10 – June 27
Fridays, 2 p.m.
Saturdays, 11 a.m.
Moore Square
With more than 230 years as one of Raleigh’s five original public greenspaces, Moore Square has a lot to share! Join us for a free and fascinating tour of our four-acre urban oasis.
Drawing in the Galleries
Friday, April 10
7 – 9 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Have you ever wanted to get a better look at our artifacts? Join us for a still-life drawing session using our own objects as reference materials. We will provide the lights and action; you bring any sketching supplies. This ticketed event is 21+.
Beyond The Book
Saturday, April 11
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fred Fletcher Park
Join us for a day immersed in stories that will spark your imagination to experience children’s literature and art in a whole new way!
Family Fun Days!
Saturdays, April 11, May 9, and June 13
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Come and enjoy the museum in a whole new way! Family Fun Days are geared towards the youngest members of our community. They are a great way to connect, get crafty, and learn more about local history. They are always totally free!
Historic Oakwood Neighborhood Trolley Tour
Sunday, April 12
1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Mordecai Historic Park
Explore landmark residences in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood and learn about the influential families and visionary builders who shaped this enduring community.
Yoga in the Galleries
Sundays, April 12 and 26
1 – 2 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Yoga in the Galleries is a free program designed to welcome participants of all ages and yoga backgrounds. Unwind and reconnect with yourself in the peaceful ambiance of the museum. Taught by Elizabeth Comtois, registered yoga teacher and founder of Embodied Yoga LLC.
Garden Club Brunch
Wednesday, April 15
10 – 11 a.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Join us in a final hurrah to celebrate 100 years of Raleigh’s Garden Club! This beloved exhibit will be coming down, so this is a wonderful way to see it. We will be providing free light breakfast refreshments and saying some flowery words of farewell.
NCMA Outdoor Movie Nights at Moore Square: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Friday, April 17
5 – 9 p.m.
Moore Square
Enjoy a movie in the square! We’ll join Sonic as he and new allies take on a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. Make friendship bracelets, compete in a tabletop speedrun, and enjoy food vendors for even more family fun.
Evelyn’s Book Club
Wednesdays, April 22 and June 24
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
Named after Evelyn Pope, an avid reader and librarian, this program will bring community members together to discuss and explore Black history, culture, and literary fiction. Registration is required.
Plantastic!
Friday, April 24
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nash Square
Spring is here and we are celebrating Nash Square’s rich history with plants! Join us to explore the current drought-tolerant plants and ground covers in the park as well as enjoy hands-on activities about plants.
Project Reachout
Friday, April 24
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Moore Square
The Downtown Raleigh Ambassador Program invites those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and those who need medical or mental health assistance to the Project REACH OUT Day of Care— a one-stop event that connects organizations with the community members who need their support.
Upcoming Events
Annual Heirloom Plant Sale
Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center
Heirloom varieties of plants will be for sale at the visitor center. Plants will include tomatoes, peppers, herbs and flowers. Gardeners will be there to answer questions about the plants.
First Friday Extended Hours
Fridays, May 1 and June 5
5:30 – 8 p.m.
Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
Visit the Pope House during our special evening hours!
First Fridays at The Museum
Friday, May 1
6 – 9 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
The City of Raleigh Museum joins in on the First Friday activities with extended hours.
First Friday Market and Movie
Fridays, May 1 and June 5
5 – 9 p.m.
Moore Square
Each First Friday join us for this free family night out in Downtown Raleigh. Bring a blanket or chair to relax on the lawn for the movie, grab a bite from the food trucks and explore the market! In partnership with Get 2 Know Raleigh.
Lost Raleigh Book Launch
Friday, May 8
6 – 8 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Join us for the launch of “Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City’s Architectural History” by Mary Ruffin Hanbury and Ian Dunn. If you’re passionate about photography, history, or architecture, don’t miss this engaging event!
Tiny Museum: Black Joy in the Springtime
Sunday, May 9
2 – 3 p.m.
Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
Celebrate spring with lively music! Musical performances will center around Black American singers and composers.
Shakespeare in the Park
Saturday, May 16
6 p.m.
Fred Fletcher Park Amphitheater
Filled with witty banter, unforgettable characters, and Shakespearean poetry, As You Like It celebrates nature, love, and the power of finding yourself in a changing world. This abridged version is the perfect way to experience the magic of Shakespeare under the open sky.
Adornment of Grace: The Hat Show Contest
Sunday, May 17
Time TBA
John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center
During the month of May, experience an exhibit of hat-inspired sculptures by artist Erica Kendrick that celebrates the Black tradition of self-expression in hat-wearing. On May 17th, join us for a special show of vintage hats and enter our “Best Hat Contest.”
Nash Square History Stroll
Friday, May 22
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Nash Square
Nash Square is one of Raleigh’s original “Beautiful Breathing Spaces.” Take a guided stroll through the park to learn more about its beginnings and historical significance. Visit the Fallen Firefighters Memorial and walk among some of the oldest trees in the city.
Upcoming Events
Plant Swap
Saturday, May 23
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Calling all plant lovers! Bring your favorite house and garden plants or homegrown vegetables to trade with fellow plant enthusiasts. We ask that you bring only healthy, pest-free plants to ensure everyone’s enjoyment. This event is free and open to the public!
International Children’s Day
Sunday, May 31
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Welcome children of all ages, including the young at heart! We all have an inner child and stories have a way of awakening the magic in all of us. Come enjoy a fun-filled day of storytelling, music, dance, puppetry, and more, for the whole family.
Fletcher Park Concert Series
Sundays, May 31 and June 7
6 – 8 p.m.
Fletcher Park
Join us for the joint summer concert series at Fletcher and Pullen Park. Local bands will play music from a variety of genres, including rock, blues, classical, and taiko.
Patterns of Belonging: English Language
Learners’ Reflections on America 250
Friday, June 5
6 – 9 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
Welcome in our new exhibition! Join us as we debut our newest exhibit in collaboration with the City of Raleigh’s Cultural Outreach team and Raleigh Arts.
Soccer Square Fan Fest
June 11 – 14
Time TBA
Moore Square
Celebrate the first weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with four days of live match screenings, music, food trucks, lawn games, and a festive beer garden. Bring friends and family to cheer on your favorite teams and enjoy a vibrant, international fan experience.
Capital City Lawyer’s Association
Juneteenth Talk
Friday, June 19
Time TBA
City of Raleigh Museum
Celebrate Juneteenth at the City of Raleigh Museum! We will give a talk related to this holiday. This talk is presented with the Capital City Lawyers Association.
Pullen Park Concert Series
Sundays, June 21 and 28
6 – 8 p.m.
Pullen Park
Join us for the joint summer concert series at Fletcher and Pullen Park. Local bands will play music from a variety of genres, including rock, blues, classical, and taiko.
Historic Resources and Museums Program
In July 2012, Raleigh City Council created the Historic Resources and Museums Program, hereinafter the HRM Program, with the express purpose of protecting and programming identified cultural, museum, and historic resources within the City of Raleigh.
The HRM Program manages operations and programs at:
• Borden Building and Stone Circle at Fletcher Park
• City of Raleigh Museum
• Fred Fletcher Amphitheater at Fletcher Park
• John Chavis Memorial Park Carousel – Conservation
• John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center
• Latta University Historic Park
• Moore Square
• Mordecai Historic Park
• Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum
• Pullen Park Historic Attractions
• Raleigh Trolleys
• Tucker House
Additionally, The HRM Program manages an artifact collection consisting of more than 32,000 fine and decorative material culture objects.
Raleigh Register
HRM Program Staff
HRM PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Troy Burton
Troy.Burton@RaleighNC.gov
HRM PROGRAM DIRECTOR
HISTORIC SITES
Douglas Porter
Douglas.Porter@RaleighNC.gov
HRM PROGRAM DIRECTOR MUSEUMS
Ernest Dollar
Ernest.Dollar@RaleighNC.gov
HRM CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS
Ainsley Powell
Ainsley.Powell@RaleighNC.gov
HRM CURATOR OF EXHIBITS AND DESIGN
Kathryn Neuhart
Kathryn.Neuhart@RaleighNC.gov
CITY OF RALEIGH MUSEUM
DIRECTOR
Abby Kellerman
Abigail.Kellerman@RaleighNC.Gov
Tucker House 418 N Person Street Raleigh, NC 27601
DR. M.T. POPE HOUSE MUSEUM
SITE DIRECTOR
Hazel Boomer
Hazel.Boomer@RaleighNC.gov
JOHN P. “TOP” GREENE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL PARK SITE DIRECTOR
Vacant
MOORE SQUARE SITE DIRECTOR
David Gill
David.Gill@RaleighNC.gov
MOORE SQUARE ASSISTANT SITE DIRECTOR
Mykey WIlliams
Mykey.Williams@RaleighNC.gov
MOORE SQUARE PROGRAM MANAGER
Nancy Dragotta
Nancy.Dragotta@RaleighNC.gov
US Postage PAID
Raleigh, NC
Permit No. 813
HISTORIC SITES MANAGER
Josh Ingersoll
Joshua.Ingersoll@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC SITES ASSISTANT MANAGER
Kimberly Oliver
Kimberly.Oliver@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS DIRECTOR
Scott Mott
Scott.Mott@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS PROGRAM MANAGER
Savannah Hubbard
Savannah.Hubbard@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Andrew Boos
Andrew.Boos@RaleighNC.gov
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
Mandy Hunter-Kelly
Amanda.Hunter-Kelly@RaleighNC.gov