On February 28 in 1960, nine young men from Chapel Hill’s all-black high school organized a sit-in at the Colonial Drug Store on Franklin Street.
These 16 to 18-year-olds from Lincoln High were arrested for seeking the same service that was given to white customers. As their efforts sparked a decade of direct-action civil rights demonstrations in Chapel Hill, these students became known as the ‘Chapel Hill Nine.’
The group consisted of Harold Foster, William Cureton, John Farrington, Earl Geer, David Mason Jr., Clarence Merritt Jr., James Merritt, Douglas Perry and Albert Williams.
Sixty years after their sit-in, the Town of Chapel Hill plans to unveil a marker to commemorate this historic, civil rights event. The Chapel Hill Nine Marker will be revealed during a public ceremony at 4 p.m. on February 28.
The location of the ceremony, and the site of the new marker, will be located where the drug store once stood – in front of what is now the West End Wine Bar at 450 West Franklin Street.
According to the Town of Chapel Hill, the ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes and feature remarks from notable community members including Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger and Esphur Foster, the sister of Chapel Hill Nine member Harold Foster.
The four living members of the Chapel Hill Nine are also expected to be present at the ceremony.
The idea for this commemorative marker was fostered back in 2017 after Mayor Hemminger formed the Historic Civil Rights Commemoration Task Force (HCRC).
This Task Force was designed to document the history of the Civil Rights Movement in Chapel Hill, including the Chapel Hill Nine sit-in. Together, the Task Force and Town Council approved the installation of the permanent marker recognizing the Chapel Hill Nine in 2019.
Mayor Hemminger says she hopes the community will come together at the ceremony to thank the Chapel Hill Nine.
“As we strive to tell the whole story of our town’s journey to be a more just and inclusive community, we owe the Chapel Hill Nine and many others a debt of gratitude for leading us forward with courage,” Hemminger said.
The marker was envisioned as a mix between public art and a historical monument. Designed by Durham artist Stephen Hayes, the marker features documentary photography from the era as well as the names and ages of the Chapel Hill Nine. The base of the marker is meant to emulate the rock walls of the Northside neighborhood where this and many other demonstrations were planned.
Molly Luby, Special Projects Coordinator at the Chapel Hill Public Library and staff liaison to the HCRC, said that installing the marker on the sixtieth anniversary of the sit-in is ‘meaningful to all involved.’
“Throughout this process, we felt a sense of urgency,” Luby said. “Only four members of the Nine are still living and the HCRC was clear in their desire to honor these men within their lifetimes. We hope to see a great community turnout to honor these heroes on this anniversary.”
West Franklin Street will be closed starting at 3:30 p.m. from Roberson Street to Kenan Street on February 28. No street parking will be allowed during this time period. The Town of Chapel Hill says all bus transit routes will also be detoured during this time. That stretch of Franklin Street is expected to re-open by 5 p.m.
To learn more about the Chapel Hill Nine, visit Chapel Hill’s Community History website.
(Photo courtesy of the Town of Chapel Hill)
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