Location, Maps, and Directions

The John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute is located on the 1st floor of Bays 4 and 5 of the Smith Warehouse (114 S. Buchanan, near the corner of Buchanan and Main). Find us on the Duke Campus Map (maps.duke.edu). For driving directions, please check Google Maps.

When traveling to the Franklin Humanities Institute (FHI) for the first time, please be aware that there are multiple entities named after John Hope Franklin at Duke University:

Please also note that the FHI's main event venue is the Ahmadieh Family Lecture Hall (C105, Bay 4, Smith Warehouse), not to be confused with the Ahmadieh Family Conference Hall (Room 240) in the John Hope Franklin Center on Erwin.

Parking

Visitor Parking

There is an ungated visitor pay lot at the Maxwell/Buchanan entrance across from Bay 1 South. Rate is $2 an hour and is collected through PayByPhone, which can be downloaded as an app on your phone or accessed on line. 

In previous years, there were eight parking spaces outside of Bay 4 South available to visitors. These spaces are no longer visitor spots, and are now restricted to Smith permit holders.

We occasionally arrange special parking for public events. If you are interested in attending an event at the FHI and have questions about whether event parking will be available, please reach out to the listed event contact.

Duke University Faculty, Students, and Staff After-Hours Parking

Duke University faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to use campus transportation during business hours.

After hours (after 5:00pm on weekdays and all day on weekends), all Duke parking permit holders are permitted to use Smith permit parking spaces. In addition to the eight spaces outside of Bay 4 South, there is a large Smith permit gated lot across from Bays 2-6 South. If the gate does not automatically lift as you approach, use the bar code on your parking permit at the scanner to enter and exit the gated lot. Be sure to display the permit on your vehicle dashboard or hang it from your rear-view mirror.

If you do not have a Duke parking permit, please note that free after-hours permits are available to all faculty, students, and staff.

Building Access

Our main entrance is at Bay 4, on the south side of the building complex (facing the Durham Freeway overpass). These doors are open to the public from 7:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday. The Bay 6 south doors remain open until 7:30pm Monday-Friday. Duke students, staff, and faculty can swipe into the building after hours with their DukeCard. Please contact an FHI staff member if you have questions about DukeCard access. Extended public access can be arranged for evening and weekend events.

Accessibility

The accessible entrance is at Bay 6, on the south side of Smith Warehouse. Enter at Bay 6, and turn right to go to the FHI in Bays 4 and 5. You will reach Bay 5 first from this entrance, and can continue to Bay 4.

Mailing, Fax, and General inquiries

Mailing Address:
Franklin Humanities Institute
114 S. Buchanan Blvd.
Box 90403
Durham, NC   27708-0403

Fax: (919) 684-1658
Email: fhi@duke.edu