January 8, 2007. 4am. I was in the middle of a deep REM cycle but suddenly awoke to smoke and a multitude of flashing red lights outside the bedroom window. The first thing that came to mind was The Latta House across the street. Engulfed? Can’t be!? Sure enough, flames were flying over the trees and large fire hoses rolled down cold, dark Parker Street. It was just a day earlier that we had reported a fire of leftover building materials (plastics) on the lot next to the grassy Latta House grounds. These two fires had little in common except for an unfortunate coincidence.
A couple of days later, efforts by local residents to save what remained from the fire turned into protests. The community felt betrayed by the quick removal of debris, while the owner received pressure from the surrounding television cameras. But in the end, a small amount of the historical structure was preserved (including hand-made bricks with hand prints of the building’s laborers) and a longer timetable created for its recovery.
Recovery efforts get heated
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the fire and The Latta House Foundation is still keeping their eyes on the future of the Latta legacy with a handful of outreach initiatives and anniversary memorials. The foundation needs Raleigh’s help (outlined in the letter below) to help preserve and share the history of Reverend Latta and The Latta House. Hopefully creating a positive future for this historic site.
Oberlin Village has a rich history, a lot of which is rooted in African-American culture, and there is a lot of development occurring on various streets in the neighborhood. Many of the original residents of the area are being priced out. A handful of old houses have been torn down and are replaced with vacant sites and realty signs advertising “new bungalows” with $400-700,000 price tags. These lots have been dormant ever since, as has the adjacent house to the Latta plot which is the only three story structure on a street of one story bungalows from the early 1900s. Preservation of the land and history are essential to this site and Reverend Latta would want it used to help the community and neighborhood.
Fortunately, the site has been “donated to the city of Raleigh with plans of converting it into a commemorative park.“ This is a step in the right direction. There was conversation, in the months after the fire, of rebuilding The Latta House but later this vision was changed to a smaller structure that could become an education center for the community. Part of this proposal would include the remaining land to be well groomed open space, which is essential in a growing city like Raleigh.
Reporter looks on as the remains are demolished
Today, the only evidence left of this history on the site is a couple of piles of bricks from the foundation, an old fire pit, a handful of trees, and a large mass of concrete which is protecting the historic well that was discovered in 2005 by grounds keeper Bill “Shep” Shepard. There is so much potential between these markers to create a lasting tribute to what was the last remaining piece of
Latta University in Oberlin Village. So while the battle continues over what to do with massive Dorothea Dix property, here’s hoping that Raleigh keeps to their plan of a “commemorative park” and keeps the dreams of Reverend Latta alive.
If you, or anyone you know, are interested in helping The Latta Foundation with their future community development initiatives, please contact Judith Guest, the Executive Director of the foundation. (contact information below)
Local children removing the historical bricks from the wreckage
The Latta House Site: One Year Later
(Photo Credits New Raleigh)
Letter from The Latta House Foundation
A Proud Past Bridging Toward the Future - Remembering Latta University
January the 8th will mark the one year anniversary where Latta University succumbed to a devastating fire. The historic Oberlin Village Landmark was a former school house and orphanage for the children of freed slaves. It was founded by Reverend Morgan Latta, a former slave of the Cameron family. He would later become one of Shaw University’s first graduates.
The former landmark once sat on 2 acres of land located in Raleigh, North Carolina and was on the national registry of historic places. Today it remains an intact underground well and over 3,000 salvaged bricks. Some, bearing the original hand prints of its laborers. The dormant site has recently been donated to the city of Raleigh with plans of converting it into a commemorative park.
The legacy lives on through the Latta House Foundation, a non profit organization incorporated in 1997. This month the Latta House Foundation will recognize the 1 year anniversary of the community’s significant loss. The organization has opted to continue promoting the school’s history and to execute the practices of its founder by providing an educational campaign throughout the months of January and February. The theme is appropriately entitled, A Proud Past Bridging Toward The Future . This will be done through the following series of community outreach initiatives:
January 2008
1. The churches of Oberlin Village and all of North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be asked to sound their bell towers in memory of Latta University . This is to take place January 8th at 10:00am. They will ring three times. Once for education, preservation and a strengthened community.
2. A public service announcement has been prepared to be aired for radio broadcast.
February 2008
3. The Latta House Foundation will conduct free 1 hour workshops in some of Wake County’s neighboring elementary schools.
4. The Latta House Foundation will have a featured display of Latta University at the Raleigh City Museum in celebration of Black History Month.
5. Volunteers, board members and friends of the Latta House Foundation will go out into the community to distribute door hangars that highlight the history of Oberlin Village , the contributions of its residents and various landmarks.
We could use your immediate support ! We invite you, your employer and civic organization to get on board with these avenues of involvement :
Volunteer - Make a difference today by reaching out to a community.
Intern - Gain quality experience to launch your future career.
In-kind Donor - Donated goods and services are always needed.
Sponsor - Establish a winning partnership as a financial investor.
Our Mission StatementAs a steward to the community; we will serve as a vessel to promote the history of the Latta School, its founder and other historic facets of Oberlin Village. These offerings will be rendered through educational and cultural opportunities for all.
For additional info, call (919) 841-0953 or visit our website at http://www.lattahouse.com
The Latta House Foundation
6501 Golden Lantern Court #107
Raleigh, NC 27613(919) 841-0953
Contact:
Judith L. Guest
Executive Director
(919) 841-0953
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