Rich in History!

Visitors to North Carolina for the first time are not usually familiar with the rich history of the Piedmont Triad. Like me, you may have flown over or drove through the tarheel state enroute to a more glittering destination. But after living here for over 21 years, I have discovered that there is a long and significant history of this region. Not just the famous Revolutionary War battlefield or the important part it played in the Civil War, but history that affected millions across the country. People from the region who became household names and who made important contributions to our society. General Nathaniel Greene for whom the city is named; O'Henry the famous short story writer, spent his childhood in Greensboro; Dolly Madison first lady to President James Madison, was raised in NW Guilford County in the Friendship township near present day Guilford College; Burke Davis who wrote historical fiction was raised and educated in Greensboro. But there were others, who may not be as familiar, who touched our society as a whole.

Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr., Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond were freshmen at the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina in Greensboro who made a significant change in history.

"On February 1, 1960, these four friends sat down at a lunch counter in Greensboro. That may not sound like a legendary moment, but it was. The four people were African American, and they sat where African Americans weren’t allowed to sit. They did this to take a stand against segregation. The students wanted to protest segregation laws that prevented African Americans from entering certain public places. They agreed to stage a sit-in at Woolworth’s, a variety store that had an eating area. African Americans could shop in the store and eat at a stand-up snack bar, but they could not sit at the lunch counter. “We didn’t want to set the world on fire,” Khazan said.” We just wanted to eat.” Khazan and his friends would become known as the Greensboro Four ." from the NC Museum of History website.

You can become familiar with the county since it was formed in 1771 by checking out the Greensboro Historical Museum website. When you are here, go downtown to 120 Summit Avenue and enjoy the rich history that is Greensboro and the Piedmont Triad.