Tour Opportunities
Come learn about Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray on the grounds of their historic home!
The Pauli Murray Center is pleased to offer a variety of tour opportunities. Please read the descriptions carefully to find the one that’s right for you.
Note that pay-what-you can pricing is available through our booking site for those with financial need. Special pricing is also available for public schools and university groups.
Guided Tours
Come along for a journey through Pauli Murray’s childhood home, guided by our knowledgeable staff. Through the interactive exhibits, conversation, and reflection, you'll engage with Pauli Murray's remarkable life. Guided Tours are $20 per person and WIC/EBT pricing is available for as little as $4. Reservations are required. Get tickets here.
Open Saturdays (1-2 weeks per month)
Explore the Pauli Murray Center’s grounds and interior at your own pace through our self-guided tour option. Discover interactive exhibits both inside and outside as you learn about the remarkable person raised here. We recommend allowing about 30 minutes for your visit. Self guided tours are $10 per person and WIC/EBT pricing is available for as little as $2. Get tickets here or pay at the door.
Outdoor Exhibit Exploration
Explore the outdoor exhibits and scenic grounds of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray’s childhood home at your convenience. The outdoor exhibits are available to all visitors without a reservation during daylight hours. Please note that no staff will be available for this option. Exploring the outdoor exhibits is completely free, but donations are always welcome.
Specialized Tours
Occasionally, the Pauli Murray Center staff will offer specialized guided tours that focus on a particular aspect of Pauli’s life. Examples include our Black History Month tour (focus on Pauli in the civil rights movement), Women’s History Month tour (focus on Pauli in the women’s movement), and the Pride tour (focus on Pauli’s gender/sexual identity). Additionally, we hope to offer a tour that will be guided and facilitated by descendants of Pauli Murray in the fall of 2025.
Free Community Days
While pay-what-you-can pricing is always available for tours and events, we’re also pleased to offer free community days where folks can explore the space at no cost. Examples of free-entry days include the Pauli Murray Pilgrimage, Birthday Celebration, Juneteenth, and more! Explore our events calendar for upcoming free community days.
Whistle Stop Tours
The Pauli Murray Center is pleased to collaborate with Whistle Stop Tours to offer a lively, interactive 90 minute walking tour through Pauli’s childhood neighborhood. These opportunities are available twice a year with limited availability to accommodate private groups. For more information about Whistle Stop Tours and to book this tour, please scroll down past the ‘private group tours’ option on this page.
Virtual Tour
The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice has partnered with CyArk to develop a Tapestry virtual tour experience exploring Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray’s childhood home. This 3D exploration features expert and family perspectives, historic images, and excerpts from Pauli’s writings, allowing visitors to connect with the spaces that shaped Pauli’s vision of justice. This project was generously supported by Iron Mountain and is free to explore. Access the virtual tour here.
Private Group Tours + Field Trips
If you’d like to visit the Pauli Murray Center with your book club, class, church group, or corporation, a private group tour might be the right choice for you. This option will allow you to select a date and time that works for your group, pending staff availability. Please note that a group of at least 15 people is required for a private tour. For groups of under 15, purchase individual tickets through our public tours page. Note that all private tours will be confirmed in advance via email and no tours confirmations will be offered over the phone.
Whistle Stop Tours
Welcome to Whistle Stop Tours at the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham, North Carolina! Walking Tours with the Pauli Murray Center is a 90-minute, 1-square-mile tour around the historic West End Neighborhood of Durham. Tour-goers will visit 6 stops and be inspired by Pauli Murray's legacy and the unique contributions of the Fitzgerald family to the educational, economic, and cultural fabric of Durham.
Join us for an enriching journey through history as you explore the remarkable life and legacy of Pauli Murray, a trailblazing civil rights activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest.
You will delve into the vibrant history of Durham and its pivotal role in the civil rights movement, as our knowledgeable guides provide fascinating insights into Murray's groundbreaking work and the social justice issues of Murray’s time.
Discover the incredible stories behind Murray's contributions to gender equality, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights, and gain a deeper understanding of the impact Murray had on American society.
Whether you're a history buff, a social justice advocate, or simply curious about Durham's rich cultural heritage, our Whistle Stop Tours offer something for everyone. Come be inspired, educated, and empowered as we celebrate the legacy of Pauli Murray and the ongoing fight for equality and justice for all. Book your tour today and join us on this unforgettable journey!
Bring your walking shoes and PLENTY of water.
For the safety and enjoyment of all participants on the tour, please be advised that the tour route includes two moderate hills (one ascending and one descending), limited public sidewalks, and uneven ground. Walking and standing in the heat/sunlight can cause dehydration, heat sensitivity or physical limitations.
Bring your curiosities; move and create with us!
These public tours are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM once in the fall and once in the spring. Our fall tour date will be November 8th and registration will be available soon!
*Please note that this is an outdoor walking tour and does NOT include admission inside Pauli Murray’s childhood home. To explore the interior of the home, Whistle Stop Tour participants will need to arrange to come back on a different day. We are not offering guided our self-guided tours of the interior of the home on May 3.
Additional Community Sites of Interest
Durham Civil and Human Rights Map
The spirit of community comes alive through decades of activism by Durham residents. From anti-war protests to a feminist books store, sit-ins at local lunch counters to activism supporting the rights of public housing residents, this is a community resource for teachers, students, residents and anyone interested in Durham, civil rights, human rights and social history. Each marker on the map includes photos, text, and audio. It is accessible on a phone, tablet or computer. The markers were created by students at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.