The Revival of Davidson Historical Society
Pablo Quintero: The Davidson Historical returns and plans several events
After several years of inactivity, the Davidson Historical Society is returning this fall with a series of events to engage the community with local history. In a recent email to members and supporters, President David Boraks announced that the board has coordinated three events for the coming months, marking the first public programming offered in years.
The Society stopped programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person gatherings weren’t possible. It wasn’t until this summer that David Boraks, Rachel Workman, and other members of the board met regularly to rebuild the Historical Society. Membership has already grown to around 40, with organizers encouraging residents to join, volunteer, or donate.
The first event will be on Sunday, September 28th, with a history talk and tour of the historic Sloan house, located at 230 South Main Street. Led by Workman, the program will highlight the home’s turn-of-the-century architecture and the story of the Sloan family.
In October, the society will be hosting a panel discussion on Race and Slavery at Davidson College. The panel will explore how the college is commemorating its past, including a new public art memorial by Hank Willis Thomas titled With These Hands, the renovation of the historic Oak Row building as a museum, and research into Beaver Dam, a former plantation house. Boraks will moderate alongside Davidson College history professor Hilary Green and Martha Gimson, the college’s historic sites and program manager.
The final event in November will return to campus as Workman leads a tour of the Davidson College Cemetery, which dates back to 1838.
For Boraks, the Society’s revival underscores the group’s broader mission. “The purpose of the Historical Society is to help celebrate the history of the town and promote an understanding of it,” he said. “That includes strengthening ties with Davidson College. The history of the town and the college are inextricably linked, so it makes sense for us to work together in whatever ways make that happen”
When asked why students and residents should care about Davidson’s history, Boraks replied, “I really feel like it’s important for people to understand the place that they live in. That includes what’s going on today, but it also includes where we came from.”
As the Historical Society reclaims its place in the community, its fall lineup promises a deeper understanding of Davidson’s history and an invitation for residents to take part in preserving it. As Boraks puts it, "There are many stories, a lot of which have not yet been uncovered. And part of the fun is helping to bring some of that out.”
Learn more about the Davidson Historical Society here.
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