Durham Magazine

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! 🖤❤️💚

Today, we celebrate freedom, resilience and the enduring power of African American stories. One beautiful way those stories are preserved and shared is through quilting. 🧵✂️

Since 1998, Durham’s African American Quilt Circle has brought together generations of quilters to inspire and uplift one another through the art. What began as a space for fun, self-expression and fellowship has grown into a nonprofit that preserves African American quilting traditions, supports local causes and showcases stunning works that tell stories of family, heritage, spirituality and social justice. ❤️✨

These talented artists continue to transform fabric into powerful expressions of culture and identity, from incredible works of intricate design to historical pieces honoring figures like Harriet Tubman. Their work has earned recognition far beyond Durham, but at its heart remains a welcoming circle where creativity, mentorship and friendship flourish. This Juneteenth, we honor these storytellers and cultural stewards who help keep history alive, one stitch at a time. 🪡💫

🔗 Visit the link below to learn more about the African American Quilt Circle, and don't miss the opportunity to explore quilting for yourself this Saturday at Historic Stagville when teaching artist and Quilt Circle member Kimberley Pierce Cartwright hosts a hand-sewn art quilt workshop inspired by Stagville's African American history.

The African American Quilt Circle weaves history, sisterhood & self-expression into every piece – preserving culture, one stitch at a time

06/16/2026

Courtney Hayes is a self-proclaimed maximalist and lifelong thrifter – and her stylish Durham abode is proof that shopping local is truly the key to a happy home. 🛍️✨

Every corner of her space tells a story, from vintage porcelain dogs and needlepoint pillows to handmade ceramics and original art. 🐾🎨 She’s mixed finds from Vintage Home South, Indio Durham, Chet Miller, The Borough, Bowerbird Flowers, Always Home Furniture Consignment, Habitat ReStore - Durham/Chapel Hill, Pennies for Change Thrift Boutique, The Scrap Exchange, TROSA Thrift Store, Patina and so many more Best of Durham favorites into a home that feels layered, personal and totally her own.🏡💛

Her philosophy? If you truly love it, get it. You’ll always find a place for the things you adore. 💫

Visit the 🔗 to shop her sources, steal her styling tips and find inspiration for zhuzhing up your own space. 🛋️

Our readers’ favorite retail and home decor shops inspire colorful spaces, thoughtful collections and standout personal fashion

06/15/2026

💎✨ Today, we celebrate Linda McGill Day! ✨💎

Every June 15, Durham honors the remarkable life of Linda McGill, founder of Jewelsmith and a visionary artist, entrepreneur and community champion whose impact continues to shine across the Bull City. 🐂🌟

Since launching her jewelry business in 1976, Linda built more than a beloved local institution – she created a culture of creativity, craftsmanship, generosity and care. Her influence helped shape Durham’s cultural fabric – from supporting the arts and local nonprofits to fostering lifelong relationships with customers and employees.🤝 🖼️

Five years after her passing, Jewelsmith remains committed to the values Linda championed. Every piece is still designed and handcrafted in-house, and her dedication to charitable giving, sustainability and exceptional artistry lives on through the talented team she inspired. “I promised Linda that we would always keep Jewelsmith true to her core,” President and General Manager Kristine Wylie says.

Join us today in honoring a woman whose legacy sparkles far beyond the jewelry she created. 💍❤️

📸 by Briana Brough

06/15/2026

🎉 Happy 80th anniversary to Museum of Life and Science! 🦋🔬

Few places spark childhood wonder quite like this Durham treasure, which has inspired curiosity and discovery through hands-on science, nature exploration and unforgettable family experiences for the past eight decades, growing from a modest nature center into a regional destination that now welcomes more than 650,000 visitors annually. ✨💚

From the beloved Dinosaur Trail and Ellerbe Creek Railway to innovative additions like the immersive “From Here On: Shaping Our Future” – a sprawling, climate-focused exhibit that also includes the new Solutions Coffee Bar and Climate Patio, which features sustainable design elements like a rainwater capture system, an air-purifying plant wall and a passive structure designed to naturally regulate temperature – the museum continues to evolve while staying true to its mission of helping visitors experiment and imagine.🦖🚂🌎

The milestone year has already brought plenty to celebrate, including the arrival of Montana, a rescued male American black bear cub who recently joined the museum’s Explore the Wild habitat, and the birth of five critically endangered red wolf pups – a major win for conservation efforts. 🐾❤️🐻

The future looks just as exciting. Plans are underway for a major renovation of Sprout Café focused on sustainability and increased capacity, while a new biotechnology exhibit is expected to open by the end of 2027, creating even more opportunities for visitors to learn and discover.♻️🔍💡

Here’s to 80 years of inspiring generations of explorers –and to many more adventures ahead! 🚀

📸 courtesy of Museum of Life and Science

06/12/2026

🍔✨Just a casual day spent photographing one of Durham’s most beloved burger-and-cocktail destinations. Tough job, we know. 📸🍸

Durham Magazine readers once again voted Bar Virgile among the Best of Durham for its burgers, fries, cocktails and late-night atmosphere.🏆

Between snapping photos of the famous smashburger, sipping the colorful St. John’s Swizzle and Wildflower Punch cocktails and trying not to immediately inhale the perfectly crispy fries, we got a closer look at what makes this spot such a local favorite. Owner Daniel Sartain sums it up best: “Good food and drinks are one thing, but thoughtful service is something people tend to remember.”

And that welcoming, no-fuss-but-always-exceptional approach shows up in every plate, every cocktail and every visit. Here’s a brief look at what went into capturing the story. 🎥✨

📸 by John Michael Simpson

06/11/2026

This , we’re revisiting a strikingly creative backyard project that hits all the right notes. 🎶🏡

Mangum Street Grocery serves as Bombadil band member James Phillips’ recording studio, performance space and creative retreat. Tucked behind the Old North Durham home he shares with wife, Torry Bend, and son, Linus, the whimsical structure has become a hub for album, film score and podcast productions; jam sessions; and artistic collaboration – all just steps from the family’s back door. 🎤🎹✨

The thoughtfully designed space was created in collaboration with Charlton Architecture's Bronwyn Charlton and features playful circular windows, a cozy loft workspace and an acoustically tuned live room that opens onto a backyard stage. 🌳🎸Curious to see more? Tap the link to read the full story and tour of this one-of-a-kind Durham studio. 👇

Mangum Street Grocery recording studio blends innovative architecture, smart acoustics and playful design in a custom, compact space built for making music

06/08/2026

“𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.” 💚

That belief has guided Triangle Land Conservancy Executive Director Sandy Sweitzer for more than a decade. 🌿 Under her leadership, TLC has accelerated land conservation across the region, protecting thousands of additional acres; opened three new public nature preserves; cultivated a staff and board that represents the community TLC serves; and expanded access to outdoor spaces for everyone. 🌳🌲🚶

TLC's impact reaches far beyond its trails. The organization helps safeguard Durham's drinking water, preserves farmland for local growers and safeguards the landscapes that make the Triangle such a special place to call home. 🏡 🙌

Through these efforts – and a historic fundraising campaign that has raised nearly $𝟲𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 since 2023 – Sandy and the TLC team remain focused on building a greener, more resilient future for our rapidly growing region by protecting the land for – not from – people. 🌱🌎

Read Sandy’s column on why land conservation matters now more than ever and how you can help further TLC's goals:

Sandy Sweitzer shares how Triangle Land Conservancy preserves open space, safeguards drinking water, supports local farms and ensures future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of the Triangle

06/05/2026

🍩✨ 𝙷𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝙽𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝙳𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚗𝚞𝚝 𝙳𝚊𝚢 ✨🍩

Sprinkles, chocolate frosted, powdered sugar or filled with something sweet – today is the perfect excuse to grab your favorite doughnut (as if you needed one 😉).

Whether you're loyal to a classic glazed, can't resist a maple-bacon creation or always order whatever's newest in the case, we want to know:

👇 Where are you treating yourself today? 👇

Tag your favorite local doughnut shop, and tell us your go-to order. 📲

📸 by John Michael Simpson at Monuts