HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County is asking residents to weigh in as it reimagines Latta Place — a historic plantation in Huntersville.

What You Need To Know

  • Mecklenburg County is reimagining the historic plantation Latta Place, focusing on stories of the enslaved people who were there, rather than slaveowners

  • The county cut ties with Latta Place management after a controversial Juneteenth event that advertised a slaveowner's perspective

  • Residents can complete a survey to share what they'd like to see in the new historic site

It closed in 2021. County leaders decided not to renew the more than 40-year agreement with Historic Latta Place after a controversial Juneteenth event. Community outrage came immediately after the group announced a reenactment showing a white slaveowner’s perspective as Union soldiers pursued him. The event was subsequently canceled.

Since cutting ties with the previous site manager, the county vowed to include the public’s input before reopening the historic site. County manager Dena Diorio says it's important to hear from the community before moving forward.

“We want the site — once it’s reimagined and reopen to the public — to really tell the story of the enslaved people that were at Latta Place,” she said. “We really are interested in getting feedback from the community about where we are as we go through this process.”

She added they’re keeping their five new guiding principles in mind as they transform the historic landmark: truth, transparency, compassion, transformation and unity.

You can find the county’s initial master plan and fill out their survey at mecknc.gov.