Just across the creek from Winston-Salem’s historic district of Old Salem sits a quiet hilltop community with a picturesque view of Winston-Salem. Christened “Happy Hill” more than a hundred years ago, the unassuming urban neighborhood might seem like any other. But hop on a local tour, and you’ll quickly unravel the secrets of its remarkable past.

Settled first as an “urban plantation” to support the nearby farming community of Wachovia (now Winston-Salem), this former slave encampment was eventually reclaimed by newly freed African Americans. The influx of freed Black residents turned Happy Hill into the first and now the oldest Black neighborhood in the region. By 1867, Happy Hill became home to one of the first schools in the country specifically built for African Americans after the Civil War.

That’s a lot of history to glean from a single historical marker. Fortunately, thanks to some specialty guided tours around the city, you don’t have to.

For those interested in a deeper dive, Cheryl Harry, noted historian and national expert on Black history, recommends custom-guided African American Cultural Tours. Spearheaded by Harry, these tours impart her extensive knowledge of local Black history, and you’ll see important cultural sites like St. Philips African Moravian Church and the Shotgun House Legacy Site. Private tours are led via trolley, bus, on foot, or a step-on guide—where you provide your own transportation—depending on the needs of your group.

“Our tours are very intriguing,” says Harry, “they bring to life the rich, often overlooked local history of African Americans, and individuals get to see how it's intertwined with the broader narrative of our city's history. The ‘aha’ moments of realization and connection are truly unforgettable.”

During Black History Month, Triad Cultural Arts will host events like group trolley tours on February 1 and 15 and a Lunch & Learn Series on February 6, 13, and 20 meant to educate, inspire, and start meaningful conversations in the community. A Book Talk & Brunch with Celeste Beatty, the first Black woman to own a U.S. brewery, will also be held, but the date is to be decided.

To learn more about scheduling a custom group tour with Triad Cultural Arts or register for one of their upcoming events, visit their website here.

For groups of five up to 25, Triad Eco Adventures offers guided Segway or trolley tours focused on African American Heritage throughout the city. Some stops may include Happy Hill, historic Old Salem, Winston-Salem State University, and other sites of historical African American significance. The tours are visitor-friendly and run for at least two hours but can be up to three.

Each tour is completely customized to the group, so they require advanced notice of ideally one week.

To learn more about these guided tours, or to schedule yours now, contact Triad Eco Adventures at their website here.

At the Delta Arts Center, you’ll find all kinds of American art with a focus on pieces by African American artists. Their mission is on clear display in every exhibit and everything they do, enriching the lives of everyone in the community by stimulating interest in the arts and to build pride in the contribution of Black artists. You will see a variety of art mediums and artists highlighted through a schedule of rotating exhibits and long-term exhibitions, and they also host events throughout the year to encourage interest in the arts and African American heritage.

To learn more about current exhibitions and operating hours, visit their website here.

The Hidden Town Project is part of research conducted at Old Salem to uncover the history of enslaved and free people of African descent who once lived here. Visit this living history museum, and you’ll find various displays about the Hidden Town project that share the stories of African Americans and their contributions to the town. The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts also showcases work by a few African American artisans.

Each Saturday in February, after reopening on February 4, Old Salem will host special tours in celebration of Black History Month. First, at 11 a.m., they will lead “spot talk” lectures at the Wachovia Room in the Visitor Center. In the afternoons from 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m., you can take a special guided tour focused on Black History themes. Both events are included in the price of admission.

To learn more about tours, tickets, and operating hours visit their website here.

From now through March 1, you can learn more about the challenges of Black travelers during the Jim Crow era through an immersive virtual reality experience held by The Historic Magnolia House at the historic Union Station in Winston-Salem, located down the street from Winston-Salem State University.

Traveling while black, especially during the contentious era of Jim Crow laws in the southern United States, was dangerous and required mindful planning to avoid sundown towns and unfriendly locals. During this experience, you’ll learn more about the restriction of Black traveler’s movements by literally immersing yourself into their experience with the help of virtual reality headsets. Dive into the history of "The Green Book" and the intentional- but often untold- creation of safe spaces for black travelers during that time, and how they would eat if they couldn’t find a safe place to stop for food. Landmarks featured include The Historic Magnolia House in Greensboro, Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC, and the historic Union Station in Winston-Salem.

To book tickets for this experience, click here.