Legion Park and New Street Named in Honor of Howard and Lillian Lee

At its October 21 meeting, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted to name the future Town park on Legion Road in honor of former Mayor Howard N. Lee and educator Lillian W. Lee. The Council also voted to name the road into the park Howard N. Lee Street.

Elected Mayor of Chapel Hill in May 1969, Howard Lee was the first African American elected mayor of a predominantly white Southern city since Reconstruction. After a six-year tenure, he went on to serve North Carolina as Secretary of the Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources and was elected to two terms in the NC Senate.

Lillian Lee has dedicated herself to improving the lives of children. She established the UNC Hospital School, the state’s first accredited K-12 hospital school and served as a teacher and administrator in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system. Ms. Lee was the first person of color to serve on the Orange County Board of Election.

“It’s especially meaningful to honor Howard and Lillian Lee in this way, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to community building, affordable housing, and the values that make Chapel Hill such a special place,” said Mayor Jess Anderson. “They exemplify the very best of our community, and naming this park for them is a fitting way to celebrate their legacy as we begin an exciting new chapter for this property.”

A street sign and future park sign will be installed on the property this winter.