Join us for our next General Meeting on Monday, October 27th with Carmen Cauthen, Guest Speaker
Mission Statement
The Friends of Oberlin Village, through preservation and education, honors Oberlin, one of the last known surviving free and freedmen's villages in the state of North Carolina that grew out of an antebellum Free Black settlement.
Our Organization
The Friends of Oberlin Village is a grassroots organization that formed in 2011 and was designated a non-profit 501 (C)(3) organization in 2016.
Our Vision
Oberlin Village is a thriving diverse community that preserves and honors its rich heritage, founded by Free Blacks whose strengths and struggles continue to inform history and influence racial reconciliation.
Our Passion Our Purpose
Preserve
We are honoring Oberlin Village by advocating the preservation of the original homes, restoring the Historic Oberlin Cemetery headstones and grounds; and conducting oral histories of the founding descendants and residents.
The rich history of Oberlin’s community is still being discovered within the personal vaults of the historic homes and cemetery; family Bibles, between walls, stashed news clippings, and carved headstones share the true stories of the struggles and strengths of the Free Black founders and generations of long-term residents. Preserving these places accurately informs history and positively influences racial reconciliation.
Honor
We are honoring our Oberlin founders, descendants, and beloved community with commemorative public art, celebratory events, narrative trails, and the naming of schools, streets, and businesses.
The rich history of Oberlin’s community is still being discovered within the personal vaults of the historic homes and cemetery; family Bibles, between walls, stashed news clippings, and carved headstones share the true stories of the struggles and strengths of the Free Black founders and generations of long-term residents. Preserving these places accurately informs history and positively influences racial reconciliation.
Educate
We are educating the public with documentaries, brochures, guided walking tours, and presentations to community groups, churches, civic organizations, and schools. Additionally, we are cultivating research partnerships with area universities.
The rich history of Oberlin’s community is still being discovered within the personal vaults of the historic homes and cemetery; family Bibles, between walls, stashed news clippings, and carved headstones share the true stories of the struggles and strengths of the Free Black founders and generations of long-term residents. Preserving these places accurately informs history and positively influences racial reconciliation.
Oberlin: A Village Rooted in Freedom
Reveals how a historic preservation project has helped recover the story of the thriving community of Oberlin Village the only known surviving Antebellum enclave in the state of North Carolina founded by Free Blacks. At the height of its prosperity, the highly respected Village of Oberlin had more than 1200 inhabitants before being compromised by racial injustices disguised as urban renewal progress. The renovation of two 1880s houses by Preservation North Carolina has exposed remarkable stories about the families who lived there and their beloved community. (Documentary Runtime 56:32)
Our Community
Upcoming Events
Historic Oberlin Cemetery 2025 Clean-up Dates
October 18
9 a.m. Rain or Shine!!
Contact Doug here to sign up or on the website!
Friends of Oberlin Village 2025 General Meetings
Virtual
6 – 7 p.m., Even Months (February, April, June, August, October)
October 27 Discussing recently published works, presented by Carmen Cauthen
*We do not meet in December*
Registration is required. Request an invitation by completing the Contact Us form.
Guided Walking Tour of Oberlin
Tours usually occur on the third Saturday of each month. Tours begin at 10:00 a.m. May-September and 1:30 October-April. This is a 60 to 90-minute walking tour! Sign up by completing our Contact Us form.
In the News
RALEIGH – The 10th annual Celebrate Oberlin will honor the legacy of Oberlin Village, North Carolina’s largest known intact settlement, founded by a free Black man, Jesse Pettiford, in 1858. The April 20 event will kick off at 4 p.m. with the grand opening of Latta University Historic Park. (Read the rest of the Triangle…
On August 4, 2023 Oberlin Regional Library unveiled the new plaque displaying its new name, honoring the contributions of Oberlin Village. In 2022, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to change the name of “Village Regional Library” to “Oberlin Regional Library.” The library was originally named Cameron Village Library, so this change meant…
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The nation is preparing to mark its newest federal holiday on Monday. Juneteenth marks the day when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. And in Raleigh, part of that story is being told through photographs of the families and people connected to Raleigh’s Oberlin Village,…
RALEIGH, N.C. (WRAL) — The Friends of Oberlin Village is bringing back the Heritage 5K tomorrow, just in time to celebrate Juneteenth. WRAL is a proud community partner. Joining us this morning is Jilly Kuehn, part of the Board of the of the Friends of Oberlin Village. Link to WRAL Story
RALEIGH, N.C. (WRAL) — While many Raleighites know and love the Village District shopping center, they are likely unaware that one of the most pivotal peaceful protests in the Civil Rights movement occurred right on the 400 block of Woodburn Road – at what was formerly known as Woolworth’s. Link to WRAL Story
OUR PURSUIT TO PRESERVE
Fields-Graves House Restored
Before restoration and after restoration
Plummer T. Hall Restoration
Before restoration and after restoration
Oberlin's Historic Cemetery
Before restoration and after restoration
Join Us for a Tour!
Walking Tours of Oberlin Village lead by an FOV volunteer are available the third Saturday of each month. Tours start at 1:30 p.m. October through April, and at 10:00 a.m. May through September. Custom dates can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more. Tours are free but you must sign up by completing our contact us form.
Help Build a Village
Oberlin Historic Overlay District [Oberlin HOD]
To further preserve and enhance the core of Oberlin Village, including its seven Historic properties, in 2018 City Council adopted Historic Overlay zoning within the outline shown on the next page. Links to the zoning ordinance and the Historic Research Report are available. Regulations provide specific guidance on building materials, landscaping and architectural features. If you wish to make changes to the exterior of your home and it is within the HOD, staff members at the Raleigh Historic Development Commission will be happy to help you. Please call (919) 832-7238 or visit the RHDC website.