Vonna O'Neill withEDENTON POLICE CHIEF DAVID LaFon

Former President celebrated for helping bring historic woodwork home

For Vonna O’Neill, historic preservation has never been simply about protecting an old building. It is a commitment—a promise to carry the dreams of earlier generations forward.

That commitment was celebrated during a gathering in the Cupola House gardens honoring O’Neill for more than 21 years of service to the Cupola House Association, including four years as its president.

The evening included tributes from association leaders, a proclamation from Edenton Mayor W. Hackney High Jr. and the presentation of gifts recognizing O’Neill’s lasting contributions to one of Edenton’s most treasured landmarks.

Much of the evening focused on an accomplishment once thought impossible: the return of the Cupola House’s original 1758 interior woodwork after 106 years at the Brooklyn Museum.

“Vonna believed we could get it back, and she worked diligently to make that happen,” Sam Dixon said.

Dixon recalled how O’Neill helped bring together a delegation that traveled to New York to meet with Brooklyn Museum officials. She then continued pushing the project forward as the historic woodwork was carefully removed, packed, transported down Interstate 95 and returned to Edenton.

Reproduction woodwork was removed from the house, allowing the original panels and architectural elements to be reinstalled in the rooms for which they were created.

“That is something that no one ever thought was possible,” Dixon said. “Because of Vonna, it became a reality.”

Dixon also recognized the devotion of O’Neill’s late husband, Denny O’Neill, who previously served as president of the association. Together, the couple spent more than a decade caring for the house, welcoming visitors, supporting historical scholarship, raising funds and doing the everyday work required to protect the landmark.

“They didn’t simply serve the Cupola House,” Dixon said. “They loved it. They nurtured it, and they made sure it was shared with the public.”

O’Neill became emotional as Dixon spoke of her husband and the devotion they shared.

“Vonna, you brought everybody together to make this happen,” Dixon said. “You kept the dream alive.”

Flora Hall Wood Davis, the association’s incoming president, thanked the organization’s members and those who laid the foundation for its preservation work.

“It is going to be the future that will carry this forward for the next 100 years,” Davis said.

She also recognized the state funding that supported the recent restoration work and thanked Ed Goodwin, Robert Leath and the craftspeople and preservation specialists who helped return the original woodwork to its historic setting.

“What an amazing piece of history we are all living to see, witness and be a part of,” Davis said. “It is indeed a miracle.”

Although grant funding made the restoration possible, Davis reminded those gathered that members and donors remain the heart of the organization. Their contributions pay the bills and support the continuing maintenance and preservation of the house and gardens.

Mayor High then read a proclamation recognizing O’Neill as a civic leader, preservationist and advocate who has devoted many years to enriching Edenton’s history, heritage and character.

The proclamation cited O’Neill’s pivotal role in returning the original woodwork, her leadership in establishing a task force for the house’s long-term preservation and her creation of the Cupola House Community Christmas Tree program.

It also recognized her service to the Friends of the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library, the Albemarle Chorale, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

High proclaimed Sept. 20, 2026, as “Vonna O’Neill Day” in Edenton.

Sam Dixon and the association presented O’Neill with a custom Cupola House etched platter honoring her “unwavering dedication” to the preservation of the Cupola House and her service as association president from 2022 to 2026.

Karen Foley, publisher of Edenton Social Light, presented O’Neill with a keepsake book filled with photographs, memories and tributes collected from people who have worked alongside her.