Enjoy a free screening of the documentary “Cascade: Caring for a Place” at the Greensboro History Museum on Wednesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. A discussion with filmmaker Michael Frierson, professor in the Department of Media Studies, and several people involved in the rehabilitation of Downtown Greensboro’s Cascade Saloon Building follows the film.
The 18 minute documentary chronicles the transformation of a decaying building that sits between South Elm Street and the railroad tracks into the bustling office of the Christman Company, a firm that specializes in historic preservation. Preservation Greensboro led a decades long battle to save the building, built in 1895, which had fallen in to complete disrepair by the 1970s. The film records the great effort required to save the building, from partnership with the City of Greensboro to the reconstruction of the building’s interior. The rich history of the property includes a period when African American couple Wiley and Ida Weaver owned and operated a café in the building around 1907, unusual for a segregated southern business district in that era.
Four guests who were intimately involved in the rehabilitation of the building will be present to discuss the project: Benjamin Briggs, executive of Preservation Greensboro, and Chris Brummel, Sarah DosSantos and April Larkins of the Christman Company. Richard Cox from UNCG Libraries’ Well Crafted NC research project will also be on hand to offer some history of Greensboro saloons.
The Greensboro History Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is located at 130 Summit Ave., next to LeBauer Park.
