Wake Forest to unveil historic markers for Ailey Mae Young and Wake Forest Normal & Industrial School Monday, portion of East Spring Street to be closed during ceremony

The Wake Forest community is invited to attend the official unveiling of the new historic markers for Ailey Mae Young and the Wake Forest Normal and Industrial School, 337 E. Spring St., on Monday, April 1, at 3 p.m. The unveiling ceremony will feature brief remarks by descendants of Ailey Mae Young, Mayor Vivian Jones, and Town staff.  

To accommodate the event, the portion of East Spring Street between Caddell Street and North Taylor Street will be closed from approximately 2:30-4:30 p.m.

No parking will be permitted along the 300 block of East Spring Street during the event. On-street parking will be available along other portions of East Spring Street and Caddell Street.

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved inside Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St.

For more information about Monday’s event, email Senior Planner for Historic Preservation Michelle Michael at [email protected].

In 2021, the Town of Wake Forest completed the Northeast Community Plan. One of the themes of the plan is to preserve and protect the significant history of the Northeast Community. Ailey Mae Young and the Wake Forest Normal & Industrial School have a significant history to the Northeast Community and the Town of Wake Forest.

The Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission began the Historic Marker Program to both celebrate and educate the public about significant histories. By implementing a historic marker program, Wake Forest is working to identify underrepresented and lesser-known historical sites and raise awareness about their significance. The historic markers for Ailey Mae Young and the Wake Forest Normal & Industrial School are the second and third historic markers in Wake Forest to be installed and unveiled.