Enjoying lunch on the back porch of Hayes Farm, Sat. May 31 in honor of Historic Preservation Month

Edenton played host to enthused preservationists on Saturday May 31 as part of Preservation North Carolina’s National Preservation Month Celebration finale.  The group enjoyed tours of the Barker House, the Cupola House, Hayes Farm, Kadesh Church and Frink's Freedom House. 

Edenton Historical Commission Executive Director Robert Leath welcomed the guests and joined them later at Hayes Farm along with Dawson Tyler, Burton Swain and Andrew Ownbey to answer any questions the group may have had. 

North Caroiina Director of State Historical Sites Michelle Lanier joined the tour and was highly impressed with Hayes Farm and the amount of birds signing as she joined Tyler and Dawson for lunch on the back porch steps overlooking the garden at the Hayes. 

After touring the Kadesh Church renovation (see steeple raising video below) the tour continued to the Freedon House and on to Beverly Hall.

The Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, known as Preservation North Carolina was founded in 1939 and is the states only private nonprofit statewide historic preservation organization. It’s mission of saving historic places important to diverse people in North Carolina is an effort praised by many.  

It enjoys a national reputation, having been cited by the National Park Service as “the premier statewide preservation organization of the South, if not the Nation” and the National Trust for Historic Preservation as “the model organization of its kind.”

Through its award-winning Endangered Properties Program, PNC acquires endangered historic properties and then finds purchasers willing and able to rehabilitate them. It has protected 900 historic properties through covenants or easements, representing at least $500,000,000 in private investment.  

Buyers have put these properties into a multitude of new uses, adding millions of dollars to local tax rolls and creating numerous jobs. Several of the larger properties have been adapted into affordable housing. More than 4,000 acres have been placed under PNC’s protective covenants, perpetually restricting their development. Most of the properties saved through the Endangered Properties Program have been in rural areas or small towns, the parts of North Carolina most in need of reinvestment

Preservation North Carolina’s direct work with challenging properties has also raised awareness about the value and promise of historic preservation to local communities. Through the decades, PNC has been a pioneer in finding solutions for troubled downtown buildings, abandoned historic schools, empty industrial factories and mill villages, and smaller (and more affordable) houses in urban working-class neighborhoods. Millions of dollars have been invested in places formerly plagued by disinvestment.

Historic Preservation Month is  a month-long celebration that began as a week in 1973 and has been extended to a full month since 2005. The National Trust for Historic Preservation created the month to raise awareness and promote the importance of preserving our nation's historic places. 

It’s sweeping bucolic lawns slope from the crest of a knoll gracing the shore of Albemarle sound, Hayes Farm, is a 194 acre Farm with an expansive manor stepsacross Edenton’s Queen Anne Creek.  

Historical riches dot the countryside, however, Hayes Farm is an in towngem , the crown jewel of the town’s many historical treasure. Hayes is asignificant part of North Carolina's heritage and its lineage in American history.

In the late 18th centurythe property was settledby Samuel Johnston, who went on to become the fourth governor of North Carolina and a United States Senator.  

The main manor house is considered by architectural scholars to be “one of the South’s most accomplished examples of a five-part Palladian villa,”. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on November 7, 1973 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 26, 1974. Currently the property is owned by the State of North Carolina and is maintained and supported by the Elizabeth Van Moore Foundation with assistance from the Edenton Historical Commission and the Town of Edenton. The property has breathtaking views of the Albemarle Sound and also includes 28 structures throughout the property including six enslaved worker’s cottages which remain standing. Preservation is in progress on a number of structures and work activities are supported by local volunteers.   

“Having a place like Hayes that will provide recreational opportunities for the people of Edenton will add so much to life in this small town”. states preservationist Samual Dixon, “The Elizabeth VanMoore Foundation is grateful to those who stewarded Hayes in the past and those individuals who are helping make this project a success today.”

As preservation activities continue, this past September, Elizabeth Van Moore Foundation Board member Chris Bean oversaw the kitchen renewal which is an addition to the main house that John and Lelia Wood constructed in the 1950’s. Down East Preservation and Bean preserved and restored the existing cabinets and add beautiful soapstone countertops. The floors were refinished with wax after removing the old linoleum covering.

“The Elizabeth Van Moore Foundation is so grateful to be restoring Hayes for the nation,” Dixon continues. “Part of our stewardship includes caring for and acquiring those objects that help tell the fascinating story of Hayes and it's part in the birth of this nation.”  

The importance of the preservation movement in Edenton is rooted in the Elizabeth Van Moore Foundation.  Their mission is to maintain and preserve historical sites and buildings in Edenton, NC.  

The muralization of Edenton over the past two summers and the quality of the work turning brick into historic canvas has been one of town’s most applauded artistic accomplishments. The murals and artists creating them proved to be the highlight of local sidewalk chatter from visitors and locals. Afternoon walks were suddenly filled with daily artistic surprises around a few corners.  

This March, Edenton and the stunning murals may well be the talk of the state thanks to the recent efforts of the  GFWC Edenton’s Women’s Club.  

Earlier in the month you may have noticed a group of women dressed in ruffled gowns, hand knitted shawls, and delightful dresses signifying Edenton’s rich history.  

The women’s club group proceeded to stroll down Broad St. on their way to the mural gracing Surf, Wind and Fire’s King St. wall and then proceeded to the Chowan Arts Council building to pose in front of the Tea Pot mural and finally, to the Creswell building for the third photo shoot of the day under the Resolute mural.  

The staged photo shoots are part of the local women’s club initiative to participate in the NC GFWC  Annual State Arts Fair mural contest, which is held in March.  

Murals that highlight the local culture and display pride in their town’s history and traditions, as well as showcase local celebrities or figures prominent in the historical legacy of the community could be submitted in the contest. The Edenton’s Women’s Club has submitted the three accompanying photos for consideration in the contest. The winners will be announced on March 22, 2025.  

Matt Lively designed and created Edenton’s first public mural located on the side of the Chowan Arts Council building. The famed tea pot took center stage along with Lively’s personal touch of his renowned Beecycles. Lively then went on to create the interactive Bass catching mural, depicting Edenton’s waterfront on the Surf, Wind and fire building The larger than life mural project was designed to highlight local flora and fauna, and includes an interactive photo for anglers to “catch” a nine foot tall bass.  

Max Dowdle was commissioned to create Edenton’s third mural celebrating the historic 250 Year Tea Party Celebration. The mural was created on the side wall of the Creswell Furniture store building on Broad Street.  

“The Town of Edenton and Chowan Arts Council is thrilled to have had yet more amazing talent to complete Edenton’s third mural project. Max brought a huge part of Edenton’s history alive through his skill, brilliant colors, and the message of remembering the 51 brave women who signed legislature in 1774, creating the Edenton Tea Party. We are grateful to add him to the public art family here in Edenton,” said  Chowan Art Council Director Meredith Timberlake,  

Dowdle worked closely with community leaders in interpreting the 250 year Tea Party messaging. The goal of the mural was to remind both locals and visitors of the important significance this historic event created in Edenton 250 years ago.

“I am passionate about creative placemaking, which involves using art and design to revitalize public spaces and create more vibrant and inclusive communities. I believe that public art has the power to transform ordinary spaces into something extraordinary, to spark conversation and encourage reflection, and to bring people together in new and unexpected ways,” said the artist.

The murals will be judged at the State Arts Fair in March.