Time Reopened: The Original Washington Duke Hotel's Time Capsule

Laying of the Cornerstone

Laying of Cornerstone Program

Program of Exercises at the Laying of the Cornerstone, November 21, 1924

This program of exercises for the laying of the Washington Duke Hotel cornerstone highlights the events of the day.

M. E. Newsom began the exercises with his speech titled "Durham's Community Hotel."  Newsom, one of the leaders of the hotel building campaign, was part of the prominent Newsom family. His brother Dallas would later be Durham County Manager for eighteen years. 

R. L. Flowers Address

Address of Prof. R. L. Flowers at the cornerstone laying

Trinity/Duke Professor R. L. Flowers gave this address at the laying of the cornerstone ceremony for the new hotel. Flowers later became president of Duke University. In his speech, he spoke about Washington Duke and his legacy: “We would have the stranger who sojourns here know that we, like the one whose name this structure bears, have a friendly spirit and a hospitable welcome.”

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