The Durham Junior Chamber was founded over 70 years ago in 1938 as a group for young professionals aged 18 to 36 seeking to develop personally and serve the community. President Woody Woodhouse called the first meeting to order in June at the Palms Restaurant, which was located on Chapel Hill Street.

The 1940s and 1950s saw the organization expanded dynamically and started to become a philanthropic and leadership force. Membership grew from 41 chartering members to over 100 members by 1941. During the wartime effort, Jaycees organized paper drives and after the war the Jaycees organized the first professional football game in North Carolina when the Chicago Bears played the Philadelphia Eagles at what is now Wallace Wade Stadium. The group also played an instrumental role in locating the new Raleigh-Durham International Airport and held air shows there as fundraisers.

The 1960’s and 1970’s saw the integration of the Durham Jaycees with member Asa Spaulding. Numerous fundraisers were held including a battle of the bands, several galas, the Mrs. Durham Pageant, a roast of Terry Sanford, the circus, and concerts featuring the likes of Roberta Flack and violinist Nicolas Kitchen. The organization used profits from these various fundraisers to provide seed money for the construction of the Durham Civic Center and updates to the Museum of Life and Science. The Jaycees also created the first recycling effort in Durham, organized golf and tennis tournaments for youth and started what is now the July 4th Festival at the Eno during the era.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s the organization continued to thrive. It held a notable follies at the Carolina Theatre which was the last event held there prior to the renovation. The Jaycees brought the Special Olympics to Durham, admitted the first female members and played a major role in several political issues including bond referendums and the merging of the city and council school systems. The organization celebrated it’s 50th anniversary during this era with a cocktail party at the Durham Arts Council followed by dinner at the Durham Civic Center.

Today, the Durham Junior Chamber has become the definitive organization in Durham for young professionals seeking to better their community while developing leadership, managerial, and other personal skills.