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LOWER CAPE FEAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.

LOWER CAPE FEAR

HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.

BULLETIN

VOLUME IX, NUMBER III \‘C'ILMIXGTON, X. C MAY. 1966

The Historic District of Wilmington —

Problems and ProspectsBy Charles H. Bonev. Chairman. Board of Architectural Review

S WILMINGTON and the Lower Cape Fear Area move

ahead in the business world, and new industry moves in

with us at a rapid rate, and we seek to satisfy our needs for

newer and bigger things in the arts, we must look ahead and

plan well our cultural growth. Looking ahead sometimes re-

quires looking over our shoulder to each side. if not lookingback.

In our sometimes frantic eagerness to grow bigger and larg-er in cultural "achievements," to provide new people movinginto our community those services we feel they need; we many

time embrace all things new as the great panacea—if it ops

and pops, it’s to be desired for all time—if it's new and novel.

we embrace it in the name of progress, regardless of its quality.In our historic district, we must put our imagination and eager-

ness to work to preserve a part of our cultural heritage.In the area of architecmre, we have a particular challenge

presented to us in \Vilmington, Many old structures of signifi~cance yet remain as good examples of our "architeCtural cul-

ture" and must be preserved. The encroachment of slum areas

g,. am:

‘3‘

on the sections of high tax value must be prevented. The old

section of \Vilmington, the historic district. must be stabilized

and revitalized as a part of our future cultural development.

Today we hear a lot about conservation, and rightly so, for

tomorrow it might well be too late to conserve our natural

resources, and yes. architeetural resources, that have been

depleted so heedlessly in the past.

It is very encouraging that the City Council and this com—

munity in general has recognized our need for restoring, pre-

serving and safeguarding the irreplaceable good architecture

of the past as a backgrmmd for the new, grand and imaginativearchitecture of the future.

HUS the historic district and the Beard of Architectural

Review were established 13 June 1962 by City Council,

acting with the guidance of the Community Planning De-

partment of the Department of Conservation and Developmentof the State of North Carolina and the Lower Cape Fear His~

torical Society officers.

i’CmHnmeJ m; Page I)

Heart of Historical District—one of the City's most important civic scenes.

LOWER cam: FEAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY. INC.

BULLETIN

\V'ilmiugton. .\', c.Volume IX, Number 3 .\la_\, I966

OFFICERS

R. v. Asbur)’, Jr,,,,,,,,,, , ,W

The Rev, Mortimer Glover

Mrs. Raymond L. Ballard,

Ludlow P_ Strong we

Mrs. Ida B. Kcllam

Sec rcla I'}

Trrrmu-l r

H, Arr/iii M

DIRECTORS

rm” Expires Milli rm

N. Winfield Sapp, Jr.Miss Katherine Howell

Clifford B. Ewart

Frederick 5, Burr

Henry J. MacMiIlan

William I, Boney

Trim Etpin'r May “1,,

Col. H. v. Reid

The Rev. Wm. L. Dols. Jr.The Rev. Jerome c. JonesMrs. Bryan Newkirl-t

August M. Blnmhurg

’I'mm min/m ,l'I/ll HMS

Mrs, Tliurrus ll. \VriglitThomas H. \V’rigllt. Jr.

\Irs. Paul Jennewein\V'illiam F, Perdew

COMMI' E CHAIRMEX

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Fi?)fllll‘[’,,

Pi-agmu.PIA/ilil‘il) W,

[“510er To 3.

I'IISff/I'N‘ Eliumzlmu ,,

Lahmer Harm;

Bill/rim

rs. Paul Jerincwciiiudlou' P. Strung'illiam J. Bone)\Iorrimer Glover

_____ l. . Asbiiry. Jr.Miss Katherine Howell

"Airgun M. Blomburg,,,,,,,,,,,,,,R. V, Atbury, Jr,

IN MEMORIAM

MRs. JOHN R. MURCHISON

MR. 5. w. GARRETT

ARCHIVES CONTRIBUTIONS

Contributors to the Society Archives since the last report

include: Mrs. Addison Hewlett. Certificates from WilmingtonSteam Fire Engine Company. 1874, and Mutual Insurance As-

sociation, 1892; Miss Fanny de Rosset, “Bill of Goods” ship-ped to Wilmington on the Schooner Araminla from Baltimore.

1856; Mrs. Luelle Edwards, photographs of the old Post Office

and the W'ilson Hut of \Vorld \Var 1; Ludlow P. Strong,“Pictorial and Historical New Hanover County and Wilming-ton,” 1938, by de Rosset, “Italian Masterpieces” from the l 'a-

tional Gallery. "The de Rosser Family.” by Strong, "Historyof St. Bartholomew’s Parish” 1833-1935, by Shannonhouse,

collection of letters of the Meares Family, courtesy of Mr.

William Bradshaw; Harry Hayden, ”History of Oak Island

Saving Station,” by Hayden; William H. Reid, copy of Post~

Standard Sunday Magazine, January 17, 1965. featuring the

Battle of Fort Fisher; Stanley A. South, Archaeological base

Map of Bathabara; Thomas Kenan, copies of grants, deeds, let~

ters, etc. of the Kenan and Graham families; Dr. Lawrence

Lee, copy of T/Jr Lower Cape Fear in Colonial Days, 1965 byLawrence Lee; Mrs. Mary Post James and Miss Julia Post,

several pages from the ledger of James F. Post, showing many

old buildings in Wilmington, planned and erected by him, a

copy of "Restoration of Our Heritage—City Hall," by citi—

zens of Wilmington, and an architect’s drawing of a Masonic

building by James F. Post: William A. Hall. Directory of the

General Assembly of North Carolina, November 17, 1862;

Miss Elizabeth McKoy, “A History of the North Carolina

Society of the Colonial Dames of America." 193$, by Jean

Dalziel Wood.

MEETING

Time: Tuesday, May $1. 1966, 8:00 pm.

Place: St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Speaker:SIl/Jit’cl'

Mr. James A. Gray.Old Salem Restoration.

Mr. Gray is a native of Win-

ston-Salem and a graduate of the

local public schools. He received

an A.B. degree from the Univer-

Sity of North Carolina in 1941

and a master’s degree from the

Harvard Business School in 1943.

He was in the Navy during\V’orld War II, achieving the

rank of Lieutenant.

In 1949 he joined the Journal

and Sentinel newspapers, where

he served as Personnel Director

for eight years. General Manag-er two years, and Publisher two years.

Mr. Gray has been active in the civic life of his community.

He helped to organize the Old Salem Restoration Program.served on the State Highway Commission for four years, and

was general Chairman of the United Fund Campaign in 1958.

During the year 1962 Mr. Gray was Executive Director

of the Winston-Salem Foundation. He resigned that post

in March, 1963 to become full-time President of Old Salem.

Inc.

NEW MEMBERS

BUSINESS REGULAR

Peoples Savings 22 Loan Ass’n.

Riegel Paper Corporation

Springer Coal 8: Oil Co.

LIBRARIES

New York Public LibraryNew York State University

University of North Carolina

“Wilmington College

CONTRIBUTING

Dr. Charles P. Graham, 123 Forest Hills Drive

Mr. John K. Ward. 909 Market Street

REGULAR

The Rev. \Valser H. Allen, Jr.. 2811 Park Ave.

Mr. Glenn V. Avery. Jr.. 208 Borden Ave.

Mrs. Charles H. Boney. 2926 Park Ave.

Miss Mary C. Bradshaw, 207 South 3rd St.

Mrs. James D. Carr, 1313 Live Oak Pkwy.Mrs. Agnes Emerson, Oleander Court Apts.

Mr. Richard L. Fcagin, 14 Basin Drive, Carolina Beach. N. C.

Mrs. Richard B. Gwathmey. P. O. Box 526‘

Mrs. Dorothy Q. Jones, P. O. Box 961

Mrs. Ruth K. Loder, 715 Country Club Road

Mr. George A. Reif, 4119 Halifax Road

Mrs. Sidney \Villiams, Oleander Court Apts.Mrs. Henry MacMillan \‘i’l'ight, P. O. Box 222. Hampton,S. C.

Mrs. Thomas F, \V'ood, 1704 Princess St.

A letter from the PRESIDENT

During the few short months I have been your President.

I have observed various needs which the Society might strive

to meet in the near future. I feel that it would be well to

have a master plan complete with long—range goals so that

the Society will be able to proceed in a more orderly manner

carrying out one of its major purposes—that of educatingthe public with regard to historic preservation. With the

trend, more and more toward urbanization, the Society can

be a refreshing influence in helping to preserve the remnants

of the past, so long as we equip ourselves with the functional

tools of planned and studied objeCtives. In the past decade

the Society has become an integral part of our commuoity—a well-established respected organization, and I foresee many

challenges and achievements in the future. The members

need to familiarize themselves more withiour historiflistnct;

there should be many aCComplishrnents made to the Latimer

House; the Society should be instrumental in restoring to their

rightful places the Latimer fountain, and the monument

at the corner of Front and Dock Streets; also, the Societyshould think very seriously about creating a foundation, which

would enable us to buy and sell houses. with an overall ap-

proach to saving the historic district.

Recently, the Society was well represented at a Community

Planning and Development Commission when the discussion

turned toward locating mobile home parks in the City. and

especially in the R-2 and R-S multi—famil. zones. These two

zones comprise most of the historic area. and of course, mobile

homes would certainly no: be in keeping with the character

we are striving to preserve. The Society is indebted to Mr,

August Blomberg, Mr. Wallace Murchison, and Mr. Kelly

Jewell, Jr. for the vigorous stands they took, urging that

mobile home parks nor be permitted in the historic district.

Mr. Blomberg, who presented a memorandum to the planningboard from the Society’s Board of DireCtors. pointed out the

blighting effect of trailers on residential areas. especially an

older section such as we are trying to preserve. Mr. \Vallaee

Murchison told the planning board that he strenuously ob—

jected to the locating of mobile homes in residential districts,

particularly in our historic district, and urged that a separate

zone be created to permit such uses. Mr. Kelly ‘Iewell. It.

also a member of our Society, appeared before the planning

group and voiced his opinion on behalf of the City‘s Board of

Architectural Review, which of course, also took a negativeview of the mobile home situation. The Planning Board recom-

mended to the City Council that an R4 zone be created [0

permit mobile home parks, and this ordinance was adoptedon May 9, 1966, thereby relieving the historic distriCt of the

threat of mobile home parks.

Another stand recently taken by the Historical Society

was the encouragement. through .1 submitted resolution. to

preserve Baldhead Island.

The idea of charming gardens is nothing new in \V'ilming-

ton, but the most recent addition in the historic district is

unique—a biblical garden at the Temple of Israel, Fourth

and Market Streets. I was present at the dedicatiOn and am

sure all the members of this Society would find it very

worthwhile to go by and see this attractive garden. comprised

Architectural lines of rectory. in harmony with old St.Thomas Church. is an accomplishment of the Board.

THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OF \V’ILMINGTON . , .

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The purpose of the Board of Architectural Review is to

"promote the educational, cultural, and general welfare of the

public through the preservation and protection of historic

buildings, places and areas. antl to maintain such districts as

landmarks in the history of Wilmington. as examples of past

architectural styles, and as a reminder of W'ilmington as it

existed in the past."All buiIding permit applications to build, alter or demolish

buildings or structures located within the historic district are

subject to review and approval by the Board. The Review

Board will, if it deems the work in accord, issue a "certificate

of appropriateness” for the building, remodelling or restora-

tion. At the present time. applications come to this group

through the city planning department at the rate of approx-

imately 4 or 5 per week.

OLLOWiING the presentation of an application, the Board,

if it is deemed necessary, visits the site and examines the

plans and drawings for the proposed work. In the case of a

request for demolition. and restoration, the history of the build.

ing is searched and a study of the architectural significance is

made to determine its value. The Board also must pass on the

appropriateness of the ”exterior architectural features” of new

buildings and the grounds. including signs, ofl‘ street parkingareas. front. rear and side yards, sidewalks. and any trees or

planting that might effect the character of the main structure,

In passing on the appropriateness of the application for a

permit, the board involves itself with the general design. ar-

rangement, texture. materials, and color of the building and re-

lates these factors to the similar features of the houses and

buildings in the immediate surroundings. The group does not

consider interior arrangements except for the purpose of pre-

venting development of the structure that are obviously in-

congruous to the old historic aspects of the surroundings.ICmI/irmi'rl rm Fax: 4/

of various plants mentioned in the Old Testament. Beside

each plant is the biblical reference.

I have enjoyed being your president, and know that the

future for the Society is very bright indeed, particularly if

we all cooperate in the erort toward making a better com—

munity through historic preservation.

R. V. ASBURY‘ JR.. Prt’sir/en/

THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OF WILMINGTON I I I

{Cautinml [mm Page }/

The Board of Architectural Review functions in conjunctionwith the Zoning Board and the ofiice of the City BuildingInspector. Applications for permits first go to the building in-

spector and his department determines if a review of the pro-

posal by the architectural review board is required by present

ordinances.

The following are the members of the Board at present:

Mr. Charles H. Boney, AIA, Chairman

Mrs. S. E. Kellurn

Mr. R. V. Asbury, Jr.Mrs. Thomas H. \Vright, jr.Mr. M. V. Barnhill, Jr.Mr. Kelly W. Jewell, Jr. Q

\Ve hope that the Board of Architectural Review can ever-

come the problems that present themselves each month. Many

persons and corporations look—upon 1545 another agency that

must be reckoned with—another "bureaucratic committee im-

peding progress.” Progress to many, means a lot on "XYZ"

street at a bargain price, a demolition man that will take down

the 150 year old structure for the materials that are in itI

and a building that is as inexpensive as it can be constructed.

This type of uprogressu for \Vilmington will ultimately lead

to a continuous slum on the outer edge of our business district

and a further spread of "firsr with the worst” architecture.

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LOWER CAPE FEAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY

WILMINGTON, \‘ORTH CAROLINA

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E ARE encouraged in our work, by the recent surge of

interest in the preservation of many of our significantstructures. This work is being undertaken by individuals and

families, and the movement is spreading block by block.

We are also encouraged by the interest of the Lower CapeFear Historical Society and many other groups, in the estab-

lishment of a historic Wilmington foundation for the pur-

Chase, restoration and protection of buildings of note that are

in bad repair or on the way to destruction. Such a foundation

has been formed in Savannah and is functioning well. We too,

can see a foundation started in Wilmington with a concerted

efliort by a few individuals.

Business groups and the Chamber of Commerce have ex—

pressed interest in the broad cultural field, including the his-

toric district, by the formation of an arts and cultural de—

velopment committee, realizing that cultural resources are

essential to a suitable environment for business enterprise. The

Board of Conservation and Development, working with the

local architects council, is exploring the further developmentand enrichment of the historic zone with future projectionsfor cultural centers and revitalized areas adiacent to the busi—

ness area and the waterfront

For the future cultural development and stability of the

community", the historic district must be saved. will be saved.

by concerned individuals and corporations and their enthus—

iasm for this Work.

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