Some Durham leaders hope a look back at the city's history will promote a hopeful future.

On Wednesday morning, the Parrish Street Advocacy Group and the City of Durham unveiled the first three of six historical markers commemorating the rich history of Parrish Street. The unveilings were on West Parrish Street between Corcoran and Mangum Streets.

"In order to know where you're going, it's important to know where you've been. The history provides the foundation for the future," said organizer Reginald Jones.

Jones called the markers the start of a ‘museum without walls.'

"We want to engage people that are actually going to the places where the businesses were, and learn about them as they're actually walking along Parrish Street," Jones said.

The markers were designed by Liberty Arts, Inc. by Michael Waller, Leah Foushee, Alvin Frega, and interns from North Carolina Central University. According to organizers, the six pedestrian-scale, free-standing markers are sculptural in form, and they include text and symbols to educate passer-bys about the history of Black Wall Street.

"When you know where you're coming from, you can use those experiences to be a great person in the future," said Durham Tech student Jason Smith.

Smith took time from his academic schedule to view the unveiling ceremony for the first three markers on Wednesday. He said the markers reminded him of Durham's legacy, and that inspires him.

"It's good that you can just come out in the city and see what's going on... I'm glad to be a part of that," Smith said.

Organizers say the sculptures are comprised of materials from Durham's tobacco, retail, manufacturing, and transportation industries. Those include: bronze, concrete, limestone, aluminum, glass, and steel.

Organizers say the artists focused on the following themes for their designs:

-Tobacco and E.J. Parrish (1865-1890)

-Visionary Leadership in the New South (1890-1915)

- and A Black Capital for the World to See (1915-1945)

"We've learned from our history, we don't want to lose it, but more importantly, we're looking towards the future, and as we move towards the future, we want to bring our history with us," said Durham mayor Bill Bell.

According to a release, the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development has received approximately $350,000 from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with assistance from U.S. Representative David E. Price, to support the Parrish Street Revitalization and Historic Commemoration Project

Organizers say the remaining three markers will be placed on East Parrish Street in the spring of 2009.

Note: Information provided directly from the City of Durham.