NEWS - in and about Edenton
The second phase of the water-side porch restoration, to replace the decking, has been put on hold. THe Commission has been forced to change its focus to a more pressing concern. The street-side porch has shown considerable deterioration and needs to be rebuilt. The columns are rotting, the structure is quickly becoming insecure, and the deck is worn causing water to sit. For the safety of visitors, this work must be completed as soon as funds are raised.
Donations to help fund the restoration are still needed and can be sent to The Edenton Historical Commission, 505 South Broad Street, Edenton, NC 27932. The Commission is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization and donations are tax deductible. The Commission does not receive routine funds from state or federal governments. Initial grants from the Ann Sams Fund and the Edenton Woman's Club, plus a successful solicitation program that raised needed funds from throughout the community, gave the Commission the confidence to launch the restoration project.
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| An April 9th, 2010 wind event knocked one of the chimneys off the Barker House. It has been rebuilt. |
-- The Cupola House, c 1758, is featured in a very well done piece by WRAL TV. The house is owned, restored and protected by the Cupola House Association, the oldest preservation group in North carolina, and while it is not a Edenton Historical Commission project, everyone in Edenton is proud of its restoration. Take a look.
-- The restoration of the exterior of the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse is completed, for all practical purposes. Permits to allow the Lighthouse to be permanently relocated, on the water and within the Town's breakwater, have been obtained. The search is on to find funding for the relocation.
The Commission is responsible for furnishing the interior of the lighthouse, as it would have existed when in use. To review the furnishing plan for the Lighthouse, as drafted by Carol Chamberlain, Curator for NC State Historic Sites and Properties, download and print a copy. Look to see if you have access to any of the items we will need as soon as the Lighthouse's restoration is completed. Call Gregg Nathan with any suggestions about obtaining some of these needed furnishings (252) 482-7800. Donations to help us acquire these furnishing are needed. The Edenton Woman's Club's donation of $5,000 toward this effort was greatly appreciated and will speed acquisition of the furnishings.
The Edenton Historical Commission rescued the lighthouse and gave it to the State, which retained an architect to plan and oversee permanently locating the lighthouse at Edenton's waterfront. The Lighthouse is the last existing screw-pile frame lighthouse, the kind that was used throughout the Albemarle region until the early 20th century. The Commission's Executive Committee named Simon Rich III of Edenton to chair the Lighthouse Committee in December '09.
-- The Commission's project to save Martinique, one of the oldest houses of the region, is making progress. The house stood on a land grant conveyed to John Wallace by Lord Granville in 1752. In a remarkable story of continuity, Martinique was handed down through the same family for seven generations. It has now been moved and stabilized so it is out of harm's way. The home is for sale but must be restored following prescribed renovation covenants. Speaking of Martinique, North Carolina historic property expert Reid Thomas said:
"Early features include double-shoulder chimneys, beaded weatherboards, and some Georgian woodwork including doors and raised-panel wainscoting. The chimneys were probably built by the same mason as those of the Cupola House," noting that they will be moved with the house. He continued, "When homes of this vantage were built, there were not such things as a construction loan or a mortgage. So, people built what they could afford at the time. This house, after being framed, had the studs and the inside of the exterior walls whitewashed. Later, as money allowed, plaster interior walls were added, at significant expense. That original whitewash is still visible on the studs, and there is some evidence of fabric used to insulate some of the walls."
-- Make the Barker House your Edenton living room and walk where historic leaders of the Colony, North Carolina and America walked. Visit the many restorations, not reproductions, of those early homes and public buildings.
-- Unlike other areas where historic homes have been replicated, Edenton's historic homes are the real thing. Over 22 homes in Chowan County date to the 18th century and most are lived in every day. You can stay in one of our delightful bed and breakfast inns right in the middle of the historic area or at traditional hotels near the historic area.
-- Annual Report and 990:
Our 2009 Annual Report and a copy of our IRS 990 are available as a PDF.
