By Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
As Raleigh continues its dynamic evolution, the very land beneath our feet often holds narratives of profound depth, waiting patiently for dedicated storytellers to bring them into the light. The City of Raleigh’s YouTube.com video, “Roots of Hope: Rediscovering The Legacy of John Hunter,” is a masterful example of this crucial work, offering viewers an illuminating and deeply moving exploration of the Dix Park site—a place that is so much more than just a destination for recreation. It’s a testament to resilience, a chronicle of our shared, complex history, and a vibrant reminder of the enduring power of family.
The documentary meticulously peels back the layers of time, beginning with the city’s 2015 acquisition of the former Dix Hospital, North Carolina’s first asylum. Yet, as the film compellingly reveals, this chapter was preceded by a century and a half where the land functioned as a plantation, its prosperity built by enslaved Africans. It’s from this “dark past,” as the video courageously frames it, that an extraordinary story of hope and generational strength emerges, centered on the life of John Hunter, born into enslavement in the 1760s, and his descendants.
What follows is a captivating account of historical detective work, spearheaded by the City of Raleigh Museum with support from the Dix Park Conservancy. We journey with researcher Ernest Dollar he and his team navigate the challenging terrain of African American genealogy, piecing together John Hunter’s life and lineage from faded census records and a pivotal obituary. It’s a narrative that underscores a profound truth voiced in the film: the immense value in knowing “that before you there were individuals who led ordinary lives but they did extraordinary things.” And extraordinary they were. The lineage of John Hunter unfolds to reveal a tapestry woven with incredible threads of American history: his son-in-law, Stuart Ellison, an enslaved carpenter who helped build the very asylum on the Hunter plantation grounds, later became a state legislator and a renowned builder. Descendants include Tuskegee Airmen, pioneers in modern dance, leaders on Wall Street, politicians, and dedicated community figures. This is not merely a historical account; it’s an inspirational chronicle of breaking barriers and shaping society against formidable odds.
Perhaps the most resonant aspect of “Roots of Hope” is the raw, palpable emotion of John Hunter’s living descendants as they are invited to Raleigh in 2019. For many, their rich ancestral connection to the city was a revelation. Watching them connect with their newfound cousins, walk the grounds their ancestors shaped—from the Spring Hill Plantation House to the hallowed, though often unmarked, graves in Mount Hope Cemetery, to St. Paul’s AME Church, a structure linked to their own kin—is an experience that transcends the screen. It’s a beautifully orchestrated “memorable experience” of discovery and homecoming. One descendant beautifully articulates being “overcome with joy” at understanding the instrumental role their forefathers played in establishing Raleigh.
This film does more than just recount history; it actively makes history by fostering connection—connection to a place, to a past, and most vitally, to people. It’s a powerful reminder for us at The Carolinian, and for our entire community, that the parks we cherish and the city we inhabit are layered with stories of struggle, resilience, and triumph. “Roots of Hope” encourages us to look deeper, to support such vital historical recovery efforts, and to understand that by confronting all aspects of our past, we build a more informed, empathetic, and ultimately stronger future.
This is more than a documentary; it’s an invitation to engage with our city’s soul. It’s a testament to the idea that within every plot of land, within every researched archive, lie opportunities to unearth stories that can reshape our understanding and inspire us all.
