Honoring the Legacy

Preserving the Past, Enriching the Future: Honoring Dix Park’s Legacy

Dix Park is more than a public park—it is a place shaped by centuries of human history. From its earliest inhabitants to the generations of people who lived, worked, and sought care here, this land holds stories of resilience, change, and remembrance. As the park evolves, honoring these histories remains central to the vision for its future.

The Legacy Committee: A partnership in stewardship 

In 2015, as planning for Dix Park began, the Dix Legacy Committee was formed to ensure the site’s history guided its future. Comprised  of historians, scholars, and community voices, the committee continues to ensure  the rich history of this land is shared with park visitors today. 

Robbie Bailey 
Danny Bell 
Leona Bloom 
Pam Chance 
Ran Coble 
Wanda Cox-Bailey 
Ernest Dollar 
Raymond Figuroroa 

The Cultural Interpretation Plan 

Building on the work of the Legacy Committee, the City of Raleigh and the Conservancy collaborated on the Cultural Interpretation Plan, completed in June 2024. This plan ensures that the history of Dix Park is not just remembered, but actively shared. It outlines key themes, identifies opportunities for on-site interpretation, and recommends ways to engage the public in learning about the land’s past. 

This work is ongoing. As the park takes shape, so will the ways in which its history is told—through physical markers, digital storytelling, programming, and community dialogue.

The Histories we honor 

The land that is now Dix Park holds many layers of history, stretching back thousands of years. Acknowledging and sharing these histories is central to the park’s future. 

• Indigenous land – Before European settlement, Indigenous peoples lived, traveled, and gathered on this land. Though their specific presence is not yet fully understood, this history is an essential part of the park’s story. 

• Spring Hill Plantation – Beginning in the late 1700s, this land was home to the Hunter family’s plantation, where enslaved African Americans lived and labored. This history is now being researched further to ensure it is fully and respectfully acknowledged. 

• Dorothea Dix Hospital – For more than 150 years, this site was home to North Carolina’s first mental health hospital. The experiences of patients, caregivers, and staff shaped not only the landscape but also the state’s evolving approach to mental health care. 

Dix Park as a Site of Conscience 

Recognizing the depth of its history, Dix Park is part of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, a global network of places committed to connecting past struggles to present-day conversations. This designation affirms the park’s role as a space for reflection and learning—one that invites visitors to engage with its history in meaningful ways. 

As the nonprofit partner to the City of Raleigh, the Dix Park Conservancy remains dedicated to supporting this work. Honoring the past is a vital part of shaping the park’s future, and we are committed to ensuring that the stories of this land are shared, understood, and remembered.