The Magic of the Fourth Ward: A Journey Through Time and Culture

Date: Sat, Aug 1, 2026

Time:

Venue: Meymandi Concert Hall at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh

Price: Free

Category: Arts

The Magic of the Fourth Ward: A Journey Through Time and Culture is now on display in the Betty Ray McCain Art Gallery located at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. Raleigh’s Fourth Ward neighborhood, named for its political voting district, was established by newly freed people immediately following the Civil War, lasting until it was ultimately destroyed by urban renewal in the 1970s. This exhibit tells the story of the richness and community love during the Fourth Ward neighborhood’s life through photographs, residents’ stories, and records. It was developed in collaboration between the City of Raleigh Museum and graduate students at North Carolina State University as part of the Fourth Ward Oral History Project. “The Fourth Ward is finally being formally recognized as one of the largest black neighborhoods. This achievement honors the history of our neighborhood and legacy of the three black churches that were removed during urban renewal,” said Community Activist and Fourth Ward Historian, Octavia Rainey. “Providing a permanent place to share former residents’ memories of a vibrant community of businesses, churches, and families with deep, multi-generational ties to the Fourth Ward neighborhood is an honor, and we are proud to showcase and help preserve the powerful history of the Fourth Ward in this exhibit,” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex.