Velma Perry shares her insight at a Sustaining OurSelves Coalition Meeting in 2011

In the interview Ms. Perry discusses the early history of the Northside community going back to the founding of the University and the introduction of slaves to the area. She then goes on to describe her family history, including her grandfather’s work as an undertaker and a carpenter who built many…

Heather Giuffre: So, I guess my first question for you, Velma, would be how did your family get to the Chapell Hill area? Velma Perry: [Laughter] HG: [Laughter] VP: Well, my family got to the Chapel Hill area back in the 1800 and something. I think they got there mostly in 1840. The University up…

Velma Perry tells about holiday dances in Northside.To hear more from Velma Perry, listen to her full oral history "Velma Perry - On the history and future of Northside."

This interview with Velma Perry captures her time growing up in the Tin Top neighborhood of Chapel Hill. Velma Perry’s mother was one of Luther Hargrave’s and Della Weaver’s nineteen children. She recounts how her family has lived in the Tin Top neighborhood for generations, where her father helped…