Arts & Culture · Museums & Galleries
Hayti Heritage Center
About
Hayti Heritage Center
The Story of Hayti and St. Joseph’s
Hayti (pronounced HAY-tie) was a self-sufficient Black community just south of downtown Durham that thrived from the late 1800s through the 1940s, home to hundreds of Black-owned businesses, churches and homes. Beginning in the 1960s, urban renewal and highway construction displaced or disrupted more than 4,000 homes and 500 Black-owned businesses. One of the neighborhood’s landmarks survived: St. Joseph’s AME Church.
The congregation was founded in 1868 by Edian Markham, and its red brick Gothic Revival building was completed in 1891. In 1975 the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation established the Hayti Heritage Center in the building, and a 1999 restoration by The Freelon Group added a balcony to the performance hall and updated the spaces for public use.
What to See and Do
The former sanctuary is now St. Joseph’s Performance Hall, which hosts concerts, theater, storytelling and community events throughout its 2026 to 2027 season. The Lyda Moore Merrick Art Gallery presents rotating exhibitions, and the building also includes dance studios, classrooms and a recreation of the historic Hayti mural.
The center is home to the Hayti Heritage Film Festival, running since 1994 and one of the longest running Black film festivals in the Southeast; the 2026 edition was held in March. Classes, community programs and artist studio memberships round out the calendar.
Tips for Visiting
Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and the center is closed Sunday and Monday. Evening performances and events follow their own schedules, so check the online calendar for showtimes and tickets. Guided tours can be scheduled by emailing the center in advance.
The center sits on Old Fayetteville Street near the Durham Freeway and is a short drive or bike ride from downtown Durham and North Carolina Central University. It is also a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.
Who It’s For
History lovers, music and theater fans, film buffs and anyone wanting to understand Durham beyond Tobacco Road will find something meaningful here. It is especially worthwhile for visitors who want to learn about Black Wall Street, Hayti and the city’s civil rights history, and for locals looking for an intimate performance venue with deep roots.