Our Mission

The mission of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission is to identify, preserve, protect, and promote Raleigh’s historic resources.

Raleigh Historic Development Commission

African American Heritage Architectural Survey

The City of Raleigh and RHDC have been awarded a 2021 federal Historic Preservation Fund grant for Certified Local Governments to update the architectural survey.  The project will complete an architectural survey update of historic buildings, sites, and neighborhoods important to African American history and heritage. A similar project was undertaken in 1988. This project will identify and document properties that have not been surveyed previously.  Special emphasis will be placed on documenting churches and entertainment venues constructed between 1945 and 1975, properties associated with the Civil Rights Movement, and properties designed/constructed by African American architects and building professionals.  The Biltmore Hills neighborhood also will be documented during this project.  Visit the project page to learn more. Check out the 2017 update to Raleigh's Architectural Survey. 

LGBTQIA+ Historic Context Study

The City of Raleigh and RHDC are preparing a historic context report to identify places important to LGBTQIA+ history and culture in Raleigh.  Visit the project page to learn more.

COA Submittal Process

All applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness (Major and Minor Work) must be submitted through the City of Raleigh's Permit and Development Portal. Applications will no longer be accepted by mail or in-person. Historic preservation staff is available to help applicants. Questions may be emailed to staff at historicpreservation@raleighnc.gov

Oakwood Historic Overlay District Report Update

A near final draft was presented to the commission at the October 19, 2021 meeting.  After finding errors, the report was sent back to the Research Committee for addtional editing. More information on the project is here.

Dorothea Dix Park Master Plan

RHDC has formed an ad hoc committee to follow and assist as the plan is implemented.  RHDC recognizes the City’s immense responsibility as steward of a legacy site of deep historic and cultural significance both to the City of Raleigh, as well as the State of North Carolina. This project, for which authenticity is key, will indeed define Raleigh for generations to follow. RHDC supports the proposed retention of approximately half of the campus’ built environment to serve a variety of new uses while reserving some for future uses. These tangible expressions of Dix’s noble efforts provide an unparalleled opportunity to meet a myriad of community needs that otherwise might not be readily available, all while preserving the physical history of the site and its stories. Read RHDC's January 2019 memo to City Council.  Read the 2018 memo here.

Support RHDC Through Amazon Smile

When shopping on Amazon.com, please use this link to make purchases through the Amazon Smile program. (This does not affect Prime membership benefits.)

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