Pittsboro Finally Fridays Arts Walk Event

Experience the vibrant spirit of Downtown Pittsboro’s social district (Hillsboro St. and nearby areas) at the June 19 Finally Fridays Arts Walk from 5-8 p.m. Explore unique shops, galleries and local businesses, enjoy live art and music, and savor delicious food– all while connecting with artists and neighbors in a welcoming, creative and inclusive community. The event is free to the public and participating artist and vendors.

Lewis Freeman is one of Pittsboro’s interesting historical figures and an early Pittsborough resident of color. Mr. Freeman was born in 1775 as “a free man of color.” Although it is unclear how Lewis Freeman initially earned his money, it’s clear that he was respected by and traded with the white population of early Pittsborough. Lewis owned four town lots by 1811 and acquired two more by 1815. He built a one-room house measuring 16-by-16 feet on Salisbury Street. Part of that original house has been preserved in the building currently housing Hobbs Architecture. Mr. Freeman owned the four-acre block on West Salisbury Street, excluding the Tanyard Lot. By the time of his death in 1843, he owned 16 town lots and 20 acres of land, a cow and a horse, a wealthy man for the time.

Mr. Freeman fell in love with a woman, Creecy, who was a slave and had a son with her. Mr. Freeman purchased Creecy and his son in order to keep his family together. In 1837, he sold his son Waller to a white friend who, per their agreement, took Waller to New York and granted Waller his freedom through manumission. The Freeman estate passed out of the family upon Lewis’ death since Waller could not risk re-enslavement if he returned to North Carolina.

Future generations of Lewis’ family continued the incredible story that began with Lewis. Waller’s son (Lewis’ grandson) Robert Tanner Freeman was in Harvard’s first ever dental class, and was the first black person to graduate from dental school in the United States. His great great grandson, Robert C. Weaver, was the first Black Cabinet member, appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. His great, great, great grandson, Harold P. Freeman is an Emeritus Professor of Surgery at Columbia University in New York. He has also served as National President of the American Cancer Society in 1988.

Pittsboro is a place where history and progress go hand-in-hand:

• Pittsboro is a community rooted in history: Every street and storefront has a story to tell.
• Celebrate art in all its forms, from murals to music.
• Discover uniqueness: Shop, dine, and explore; local businesses make Pittsboro special.
• Downtown Pittsboro gives new meaning to “social district” – a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant place where everyone belongs.
• Explore local businesses: Visit boutiques, galleries and shops showcasing local craftsmanship and creativity.
• Dine and unwind: Sample Pittsboro’s culinary delights at the town’s array of pubs and eateries, each offering a unique flavor of the community.
• Engage with local artists: Meet artists and makers displaying their work and enjoy live demonstrations and performances throughout the evening.

Join for an evening of discovery, connection and celebration, whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor. Experience what makes Pittsboro truly unique – more than a social district, it’s a community with a heart, history and a story worth sharing.

Pittsboro (PBO) Finally Fridays Arts Walk occurs the third Friday evening of each month, transforming downtown Pittsboro into an interactive vibrant arts destination. The event is free to the public and participating artists.