Northeast Community Story Map
The Northeast Community, formerly known as the East End, was founded by formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War and today retains its identity as a predominantly African American neighborhood distinguished by its lifelong residents and rich heritage. Over its history, the community has been home to several individuals and institutions significant to the Town of Wake Forest. Interestingly, many residents were innovators of African American education in North Carolina. Though historically and culturally significant, the neighborhood has undergone many changes in its built environment. Many historic buildings have been lost to demolition or redevelopment.
This GIS-based Story Map has been created to preserve the history of the Northeast Community. Information will be added to the story map as it is shared through town research, scholarly research and/or through the work of volunteers. The "Sites of Memory" Story Map received a 2021 Carraway Award of Historic Preservation Merit from Preservation North Carolina and a 2025 Anthemion Award from Capital Area Preservation.
Local Historic District Virtual Tour
The Local Historic District became Wake Forest’s first official historic district on May 10, 1979. The majority of the local district is north of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary bordering North Main Street from North Avenue to Oak Avenue. However, the district extends South of the Seminary (formerly Wake Forest College) along North Avenue and East South Avenue. North Main Street was once referred to as “Faculty Avenue” due to the abundance of professors who resided there. For twenty years this was Wake Forest’s only historic district. The district provides a living developmental and architectural history of the town’s origins.
Local Historic District Virtual Tour
Downtown Historic District Virtual Tour
This virtual tour provides information on significant buildings in Downtown Wake Forest. The Downtown Wake Forest Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on February 20, 2002 with a period of significance from c. 1890 to 1951. It is the commercial core of the Town of Wake Forest and all historic buildings in this district were built between 1890 and 1949.
Downtown Historic District Virtual Tour