Museums in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill – Virtual Tour

The Triangle is a region in North Carolina anchored by the cities of Raleigh and Durham and the town of Chapel Hill. The nine-county area has a population of over 2 million.

The “Triangle” nickname originated after the 1959 creation of the Research Triangle Park, located in Durham and Wake counties, among the three cities and their universities.

Raleigh

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The city of Raleigh is named after Walter Raleigh, who established the lost Roanoke Colony.

Following the American Revolutionary War, the Raleigh location was chosen as the site of the state capital in 1788, and it was incorporated in 1792.

Following the establishment of the Research Triangle Park, significant job opportunities were created in science and technology, and it became one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States.

Durham

Durham is the 4th-most populous city in North Carolina and is located in the east-central part of the Piedmont region along the Eno River. Durham is the core of the four-county Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area.

Starting as a railway depot, which was established in 1849, the community of Durham Station expanded rapidly following the American Civil War, in part due to the tobacco industry.

It became known as the founding place and headquarters of the American Tobacco Company. Textile and electric power industries also played an important role.

While these industries have declined, Durham underwent revitalization and growth to become an educational, medical, and research center.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a town that makes up one of the corners of the Research Triangle. The town was founded in 1793 and contains several districts and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care is a significant part of the economy and town influence. Local artists thrive in the town and have created many murals.