The City of Raleigh’s Historical Resources and Museum Advisory Board is organizing a guided walking tour at Mt. Hope Cemetery, recognized as one of North Carolina’s earliest municipal cemeteries established for African Americans.
Carmen Cauthen, who is a family historian, racial equity advocate, and author of Historic Black Neighborhoods of Raleigh, will lead the tour. The event aims to highlight stories from Raleigh’s African-American community and share information about individuals buried at the cemetery.
The tour is scheduled to take place on two Saturdays, September 20 and November 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. It is recommended for high school students and older participants. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required through RecLink.
According to Cauthen: “Walking through Mt. Hope Cemetery is like walking through a living history of Raleigh and North Carolina. Every headstone, every name, carries the legacy of those who built schools, founded churches, fought for justice, and many who endured the trauma of enslavement and lived through segregation. Their stories are not just Raleigh’s story—they are North Carolina’s blueprint for resilience and progress.”
The tour offers an opportunity for attendees to learn more about local African-American history while paying respect to those who contributed significantly to the city.
