The theme of this tour, African-American history, was newly created to focus on individuals who lived or worked in Raleigh. Discussions included the establishment of municipal City Cemetery in 1798, particularly the unique history of the southeast section designated for Black residents who lived in Raleigh. Those interred in City Cemetery featured on the tour included scholar, teacher and activist Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964). Others included a local bookbinder, Cato; and founding fathers from a different perspective, such as the manumission of slaves owned by John Rex, a benefactor of Rex Hospital who is interred in City Cemetery.

Other information included description of an inventory of the enslaved section’s 57 monuments completed in the late 1970s by Betsy Shaw and her family, The list is included on our website. During 2015-2018, restoration specialist Dean Ruedrich restored the remaining markers in the enslaved section.  John George, Terry Harper, Betsy Haywood, and Jane Thurman participated as tour guides.