In 1945, African-American residents of Spring Lake and Manchester constructed the Civic Center building for use as a much-needed venue for African-American events, including a youth recreation center and a meeting place for social, community and family events. 

 

During the Civil Rights Era, the Civic Center served as a hub for the African-American community to meet and work on voter registration drives, school desegregation efforts and other civil rights issues. The NAACP held meetings and the community hosted political candidates in the space. 

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In 2002, the Civic Center was closed due to changes in building codes. Also in 2002, the last surviving Trustee of the Spring Lake Civic Association gifted the 2,900 square foot building, and the 1.8 acres of land upon which it stands, to the Sandhills Family Heritage Association.

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In 2007, the Mayor of Spring Lake signed a Proclamation designating the Spring Lake Civic Center a "Building of Historical Significance" for its importance to the African-American community and its relevance during the Civil Right Era.

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In 2010, Cumberland County listed the building and land on its African-American Heritage Trail.

The 1.83 acres of land upon which the civic center building rests is, itself, a historic and cultural treasure.

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The land, once part of a plantation where enslaved peoples labored, passed through several owners, including plantation owners Murchison and McDiarmid, until 1907 when it was purchased by James Hodges, Amur Williams and other Williams family members. In 1941, after division of the land purchased in 1907,  James Hodges purchased Lots #6 and #10, 30 acres, which included the 1.87 acres sold for $10.00 in 1941 to the Spring Lake Civic Club.  

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In 2002, Ambrose Lucas, the last surviving Trustee of Spring Lake Civic Group, gifted the land and the building to Sandhills Family Heritage Association on behalf of the African-American community, 

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Sandhills Family Heritage Association (SFHA), as careful stewards of this important and beloved gift, continues to own the building outright, with no financial encumbrances.

 

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SFHA ensures that the building and land continue, in accordance with the wishes of the Spring Lake Civic Group, to benefit the African-American community and that the history of the property is preserved for future generations.  

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The African-American community in Spring Lake, Manchester and surrounding communities constructed the Spring Lake Civic Center, improved the land and cared for the property for several decades

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The Spring Lake Civic Association maintained ownership of the property, on behalf of the community, and worked with community volunteers and organizations to care for the building and land.

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Sandhills Family Heritage Association proudly shares the story of the  forward-thinking men and women who saw a need and empowered the community to meet that need with their own resources and labor. 

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There are many stories to be told about this community and its resolve to create better lives for their families, especially their children, and to engage in the civic work that ensured a better future.  

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We honor the Builders by renovating and restoring this treasure to its community.

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When you support the Historic Spring Lake Civic Center Renovation, you support those who imagined, realized and sustained this community resource. 

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Donate to Help SFHA

Renovate, Restore and Reopen

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