Goodnight Raleigh - a look at the art, architecture, history, and people of the city at night

Walk Raleigh: Take a Guided ‘Walk and Talk’ Tour Downtown This Weekend

N_53_15_5708 First Block East Hargett St Looking West, 1946

A note from the publisher: We would like to introduce our first guest contributor, Lauren Pritchett. Lauren is a native of the Triangle area and attended NC State University. She currently lives in Raleigh’s Cameron Park neighborhood with her husband and their dog, Quailford. Aside from blogging about life in Raleigh, Lauren works as an account manager for a web marketing firm.

Exploring Raleigh’s Historic Business District

Storytelling is vital to historic preservation in our community. We can put forth all of the money and effort to keep a structure sound, but without the avid storytellers, these structures would not hold the time-tested significance that they deserve. That’s one of the reasons that I, like so many of my Raleigh neighbors, am so fond of Goodnight Raleigh. The Goodnight Raleigh community brings awareness to our city’s fascinating past, which makes us more thoughtful when planning for the future.

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The Renaissance of a Raleigh Landmark: The Merrimon-Wynne House Opens Its Doors on Historic Blount Street

Merrimon Wynne_31 Jan '14_web_adjusted

A sparkle of elegance returns to Blount Street

Goodnight Raleigh staff were invited to the grand opening of the renovated historic Merrimon-Wynne House last Friday night; and it was a grand celebration indeed. The event was attended by 400 guests who enjoyed delectable hors d’oeuvre, tasty cocktails and a lively jazz band. Attendees were invited to explore the mansion from the formal public rooms on the first floor, private chambers on the second, and, ascending the monumental staircase, all the way to the utilitarian attic above.

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The Raleigh Building: the Short Story of a Tall Building

photo by Ian FG Dunn

photo by Ian F.G. Dunn

“The Raleigh Building, the Raleigh Building, that’s all he talks about.” My mother rolled her eyes as she lamented my father’s closing moments. She was right: until he bid his final good night to Raleigh, Bob Wollman was synonymous with the Raleigh Building. It was his dominion, just as it had been his father’s. From leaseholder to secretary, everyone in that building could count on him to cater to their needs and provide for their comfort in every season.

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