Oral Histories

Ms. Ellen Perry has lived in Carrboro for 40 years. As of a fear years ago, she moved into a house that is now being updated by Medicaid, to suit the accommodations she needs. Ellen has cerebral palsy and is a powerful and passionate advocate for disabled populations, both for empowerment for…

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…

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…

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."

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…

“Education is the key to having more and representing your people and making it to the next level. So, in the whole realm of education, we had to make sure that within the school system, we were getting ours. That we were afforded the opportunity to get ours.” - Diane Pledger Diane Pledger recalls…