[Durham INC] Unveiling of state marker for Royal Ice Cream Sit-In (Sun, Nov 29)

[John Schelp]

Royal Sit-In Historical Marker To Be Placed and Unveiled
On Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 3:00 P.M.
 
The formal placement and unveiling of the historic marker commemorating the 1957 anti-segregation “sit-in” at the former Royal Ice Cream Parlor will take place at 3:00 PM on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at the corner of North Roxboro and Dowd streets in Durham. 
 
This marker documents the 1957 “sit-in” and the subsequent legal actions which helped to dismantle racial segregation.   The marker was first proposed by Durham resident, R. Kelly Bryant, and was officially approved by the North Carolina Historical Marker Advisory Commission in December of 2007.   
 
In advance of the state’s approval, a community campaign of support was offered by a broad coalition of elected officials, neighborhood associations, civic groups, and media editorial boards in Durham and the Piedmont Area.
 
After the approval, the marker was crafted at a foundry and delivered to Durham.  A dedication program was held in June of 2008 at the Union Baptist Church.  However, since construction was underway for the Union Independent School at that time, officials at the state Archives and History department suggested that the formal placement of the marker be delayed until the recent completion of the building.
 
The placement and unveiling program on Sunday, November 29 will last for only about 45 minutes.  However, this “community unveiling” will have a significant 21st Century symbolism.   
 
In addition to Ms. Virginia Williams, who was one of the young adults arrested for “sitting-in” at the Royal Ice Cream Parlor, a member of the Coletta family, which co-owned the Royal, has agreed to help with the unveiling.  
 
This multi-cultural display of cooperation, respect, and unity will send a strong message about the racial progress that has been experienced over the past half century in Durham, in North Carolina, and across the United States of America.
 
The Sunday, November 29th program will begin at 3:00 PM at the corner of North Roxboro and Dowd streets in Durham.

For information and details
Please contact Eddie Davis at 919.810.5012