Latta University Park honors free Black educator

The Rev. and Mrs. M.L. LattaPhoto byCourtesy

By Freda Freeman

Correspondent

RALEIGH – The 10th annual Celebrate Oberlin will honor the legacy of Oberlin Village, North Carolina’s largest known intact settlement, founded by a free Black man, Jesse Pettiford, in 1858. The April 20 event will kick off at 4 p.m. with the grand opening of Latta University Historic Park.

The park is named in honor of the Rev. Morgan London Latta, who was born into slavery in 1853. Latta founded Latta University, a trade school, in Oberlin Village in 1892 to educate underprivileged and orphaned children. Adults who worked during the day attended classes at night. The school operated for 30 years, training more than 1,000 students.

Oberlin Village was the epicenter of education for the Black community, said Sabrina Goode, executive director of Friends of Oberlin Village. The Village was the home of the city’s first Black mailman, sheriff and police chief.

“The significance was Black leadership, in religion, education and law. They were self-motivated by ‘we can do better, we are better.’ There was a real demand for excellence,” Goode said.

Brandi Neuwirth, a descendant of Latta, is proud of his contribution to the community, past and present. “Latta University Historic Park is a significant boon to the community because Rev. Latta’s journey from enslaved to educator is one of inspiring resilience that is a lesson in perseverance for us all,” she said. “As a descendant of Rev. Latta, I am grateful to see the legacy of Latta University preserved in the form of a historic park. It is a beautiful and welcoming space where everyone can learn the rich history and enjoy the natural surroundings.”

Lifetime Oberlin Village resident Mable Scarver Patterson said: “When I look back over my 87 years of life, I still see Oberlin; I will always see Oberlin.

Patterson is distraught that so many of Raleigh’s Black communities are disappearing. “There is so little of what we did have that has been demolished. Within the city of Raleigh, we have so many Black communities that are being totally erased or it’s just a piece of them left. If you don’t get out there and let them know you care, they just take it away,” she said.

Latta University used to sit on 200 acres, however, the land was subject to an urban renewal project that cut the community in half. What remains today is a two-acre parcel where the park will be. The Latta home, which was listed on the National Historic Register and designated a Raleigh Historic Landmark, stood until 2007, when it burned. The property was deeded to the city and planning for the park began in 2018.

Stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the city broke ground in 2023. Phase 1 includes an enhanced site entrance, paved interpretative walking trail, benches and a granite outline of where the house stood. Per the deed, 70% of the property must remain trees and vegetation. Phase 2 calls for an outdoor classroom pavilion, public art and outdoor patio, according to Emma Liles, capital project manager for the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department.

“It's important because of how important Oberlin Village was. This helps preserve and tell the story of Oberlin village. Village started before emancipation and really developed after. A lot of great and influential people came out of Oberlin Village. It was this launching pad for greatness that even continues today,” Liles said.

Celebrate Oberlin will run from 4 to 7 p.m. at Latta University Historic Park, 1001 Parker St. There will be food, music and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.