2019 was a busy year for the Town of Chapel Hill. In addition to elections, new partnerships and development, it also celebrated its bicentennial anniversary.

After wrapping up the celebration of Chapel Hill’s 200th anniversary of being a town, Mayor Pam Hemminger says 2019 was a very busy but positive year spent highlighting pivotal historical moments that have shaped what the town has become today. She spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck and reflected on the past year.

“It was just a wonderful journey learning about some of those things,” she said, “culminating in some recorded history videos and information that will be available forever now out there. It really was heartwarming.”

Hemminger saidone of her favorite memories from the celebration was honoring Howard Lee, who served as Mayor of Chapel Hill from 1969 to 1975. Lee was the first African American to be elected mayor of any majority-white city in the south.

“To be able to honor a person who was a true leader in our community,” said Hemminger, “and talking about the Civil Rights movement in our community and the conversations and struggles we went through and have grown through [was an important aspect of the bicentennial.]”

According to Hemminger, some of the biggest pressures she faces as Mayor of Chapel Hill in 2020 are the pressures that come with being a fast-growing city, a difficulty she believes she shares with many cities across the state.

“It affects everything about our community,” she said, “and it’s going to continue in our entire region. After meeting with the Metropolitan Mayors and talking about the same kinds of things, these pressures of growth and making sure everyone has an opportunity to succeed [are a top issue.]”

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