THE WAKE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

HISTORICAL SKETCH 

First 30 Years 1956-1957
1986-1987

With plans to organize a Wake County Historical society, the Bloomsbury Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored a meeting of all interested persons. The meeting was held in the ballroom of the Governor’s Mansion on Monday evening, November 19, 1956. The evening’s proceedings were launched by Mrs. Vance Jerome, Regent of the Chapter. A. L. Purrington, Jr., served as Temporary Chairman and Mrs. Margaret H. Seawell was Temporary Secretary. Governor Luther Hodges and Dr. Leslie Campbell, a leader in organizing the Harnett County society, extended greetings to the group. Mr. D.L. Corbitt of the State Literary and Historical Association spoke on the importance and function of a historical society.

Five months later, on Tuesday, April 9, 1957, an organizational meeting of the society convened in the auditorium of the Department of Archives and History, located at that time in the Education Building. William A. Parker was elected president at the meeting. Other officers elected were: Dr. C. C. Crittenden, Vice President, Mrs. H. B. Norris, Secretary, and Richard Seawell, Treasurer. Members of the executive committee were named as follows: Mrs. R. N. Simms, Mrs. J. M. Broughton, Miss Elizabeth W. Thompson, Mrs. Vance Jerome, A. L. Purrington, Jr., Mrs. Edith Earnshaw of Wake Forest, Mrs. H. Sprague Silver, Judge William T. Hatch, and John Burke O’Donnell. Major William Oliver Smith was elected Chairman of the nominating committee. The constitution and by-laws proposed by John H. Anderson, chairman of a committee for that purpose, were approved. Mrs. Earl T. Wilborn was named Membership Chairman. Many of the charter members were descendents of Wake County’s early families. In 1958 each charter member was presented with an attractive certificate by Mrs. Bruce R. Carter, Secretary.

During its formative years, the society’s meetings, scheduled twice a year, generally featured outstanding speakers who discussed some aspect of local history; some memorable speakers were Jonathan Daniels, Herb O’Keef and Richard Walser. As the membership increased, meetings were held more frequently and the scope of activities expanded. In 1964 the society’s first newsletter was published with Mrs. Elizabeth Reid Murray serving as editor for five years. Over the years, the newsletter provided members with historical news, a calendar of events, and historical sketches by researcher-writers from the membership: Grady L. E. Carroll, Dr. Thornton W. Mitchell, Beth Crabtree, Vance E. Swift, and Elizabeth E. Norris among others.

Special projects of the society have included tours of structures of historical and architectural significance in the county’s principle communities, and historical tours of towns of interest. Local walking tours have been conducted by a number of the membership among these being the City Cemetery Walking Tour conducted on Labor Day for the past several years by Mrs. Betsy Johnson Shaw.

The Badger-Iredell Law Office, ca. 1810, a Raleigh historic structure, was saved from demolition through the efforts of society member Beth Crabtree. It was eventually relocated on Mordecai Square and preserved by a joint project with contributions totaling over $50,000. The Wake County Bar Association contributed approximately two-thirds of the total amount. The Wake County Historical Society raised some $2400 at an auction held at Mordecai Square to help purchase furnishings.

Other successful projects of the society have included the publication of a historical map of Wake County, and the acquisition of a showcase for the lobby of the Wake County Courthouse to display historical articles. Plaques have been placed honoring James Robertson, pre-Revolutionary hero, Jacob Marling, artist, Governor Abner Nash, and Attorney General Alfred Moore; also, Hephzibah Baptist Church, a county landmark, and the area of the first Wake County Courthouse.

Granite monuments were placed at two unmarked graves of historical significance. The marking of the grave of Governor David Stone (1770-1818) located near Knightdale, North Carolina, was a joint project with Historic Hope Foundation coordinated by Mrs. Martha G. Robinson. Extensive research was made by Vance E. Swift of Governor Stone’s Wake County plantation known as “Restdale”.

In Raleigh’s Oakwood Cemetery, restoration was made of the monument of Rachel Blythe Bauer and the placing of a monument at the unmarked grave of her husband, Adolphus Gustavus Bauer. An architect of exceptional ability, Bauer is best remembered locally for his work on the Governor’s Mansion. Research for the project was made by Dr. Carmine A. Priolo of North Carolina State University, and William B. Bushong, architectural historian.

The society sponsored the publication of the Raleigh pictorial history “City of Oaks” authored by James Vickers, and published by Windsor Publications, Inc. of Woodland Hills, California. The narrative was highlighted with outstanding pictures researched by Jan-Michael Poff. The project was chaired by Mrs. Joan Pennell, a past president of the society.

Board and annual meetings have continued to be held in local landmarks and places of historical interest. It is hoped that before the next decade passes, a suitable place will be acquired for our society’s records and meetings.

The 20^th Anniversary of the society was celebrated in the beautiful Alumnae House on the campus of Meredith College. For the occasion, Mrs. Elizabeth Chamblee served as chairman of the Committee on Arrangements.

Our 30^th Anniversary Chairman is Mrs. Brenda M. Jordan. The anniversary year began with a festive Opening Reception of City Market on October 24, 1986. During Culture Week on November 7 and 8, 1986, the Wake County Historical Society received the Albert Ray Newsome Award presented by the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies. The award was accepted on behalf of the society by President Davyd Foard Hood. The Newsome Award is given to historical organizations in North Carolina that conduct the most outstanding programs fostering greater awareness of interest in local and community history.

A new logo for the use of the society was designed this past year by Steve Ater, a professor of Visual Design at North Carolina State University.

The society is indebted to our presidents for the leadership they have provided over the years. They have been William A. Parker, John R. Jordan, Dr. A. M. Fountain, Sr., D. L. Corbitt, Richard O. Gamble, Charles R. Holloman, T. Harry Gatton, Dr. Thornton W. Mitchell, Ben F. Williams, William A. Creech, Mrs. Anne Bilisoly, J. Bourke Bilisoly, Richard L. Rice, Mrs. Betty Silver Howison, Hardy D. Berry, Carl L. Holleman, Mrs. Joan Pennell, Wallace G. Johnson, and Mrs. Martha G. Robinson. The president during the 30^th anniversary was  Davyd Foard Hood. 

Elizabeth E. Norris
Anniversary Historian, 1977, 1987
(Written May 1987)

50^TH Anniversary

1987-2007
2006-2007

The Wake County Historical Society celebrated its 30^th Anniversary in 1987 with various events. The 30^th Anniversary Party was held at the City Market. During the party the lights went out, but the event continued with the aid of candles. The group continued its celebration with a dance at the Capital City Club. Lieutenant Governor Robert Jordan made the keynote address.

The Wake County Historical Society adopted its current symbol at its 30^th Anniversary Meeting. The symbol chosen represents the 3 aspects of Wake County—Historic Buildings like the State Capitol; an open book for universities, research, and records; and trees that are found throughout Wake County.

The Wake County Historical Society continued as a driving force for historic preservation in Wake County. One of the first major projects was Yates Mill. Mabel Dorsey was our President (1988-1990). Mabel recognized the terrible condition of Yates Mill and made restoration of the mill a project for our society. She assembled a group of concerned citizens, and they made plans for how to raise money for this group until such time as they incorporated and obtained their tax exempt status. Eventually, a new group was formed to save the mill. It took from 1989 to 2006 for this dream to come true. Many WCHS members worked long hours to accomplish this.

In 1991 Mabel Dorsey suggested that the Wake County Historical Society start preservation efforts to save the historic L.L. Polk House. WCHS members Mabel Dorsey and Tom Norris met with North Carolina State University Chancellor Larry Monteith and Agricultural Commissioner Jim Graham to obtain their support to start an organization to save this house. This started as a WCHS project with Mabel Dorsey, Tom Norris, Barbara Massenburg, Tom Jordan, and others working to gather the necessary support and funds to save this house. Once again, a separate group was soon formed to accomplish this. After many long years of work, the restored home of Colonel L.L. Polk, is on Blount Street in Raleigh. Once again one of our projects led to the restoration of an historic property.

Under the leadership of Barbara Massenburg (1990-1992) Oak View farm began its transformation from being a run down farm house to becoming the historical and educational park it is today. Without the efforts on the part of the Society, this beautiful park may never have been realized. The county bought the land for an office park in 1982. They built several county buildings; however, they left the house vacant. The Wake County Historical Society took the lead in informing the Wake County Commissioners about the unusual historical and architectural value of the house and plank kitchen. They convinced the Commissioners to restore the house and out buildings, and the rest is history. Again, this restoration started as a project of the Wake County Historical Society. Members Barbara Massenburg, Earl Droessler, and many others worked hard to make this happen.

In 1991 the North Carolina Society of Historians recognized the “County Courier” with its Award of Special Merit. The editor at the time was Ellen Beidler. Also in 1991, the Wake County Historical Society presented the State Capitol with two authentic reproductions of 1840 chairs for the State House and Senate. The chairs replaced two original chairs that were going to the Museum of History.

Board members experienced great pleasure with the completion and publication of Kelly Lally’s Raleigh’s Comprehensive Architectural Survey: 1992 Architectural Survey of Raleigh, North Carolina. The Society had been behind Kelly the entire time: from Kelly’s first survey to the last. When the idea of putting her findings in a book was broached, WCHS promised her and the County, who was financing the project, that WCHS would help in the marketing of the book. The Society fulfilled its pledge and experienced great pride when the book won the best Architectural Book for the year. It was during this time the Society had Theo Davis Printers of Zebulon reprint maps of Wake County.

During Mary Bates Sherwood’s presidency (1992-1994), the presentation of the President’s Cup was established. Dr. and Mrs. Earl Droessler were the energy behind the presenting of this award to the WCHS member demonstrating outstanding service to the Society. The award is presented biannually at the annual banquet. Past President Mabel Dorsey was the first year’s recipient of the Cup. Other winners have been Barbara Massenburg, Earl Droessler, Henri Dawkins, Elizabeth Stoker, Tom Norris, Ray Hinnant, and Anne DeMasi.

From 1998-2000 Ray Hinnant served as WCHS President. During his term of office, the Society completed a project suggested by Elizabeth Norris that the WCHS place new grave markers for two daughters of Joel Lane. The grave markers of Martha Lane McKethan Brickell (1778-1852) and Grizelle Lane Ryan (1793-1868) had disappeared from the Raleigh City Cemetery. The Society replaced these markers in 2000.

The WCHS was very supportive of efforts to assist the DuBois School in Wake Forest. After an article on Rosenwald Schools appeared in the Historical Literary Magazine, the author of the article presented a program to the Society. The group restoring the DuBois School was trying to get on the National Register, but raising money proved difficult. The Wake County Historical Society provided major funding to help with the research and application process. They also contributed one fourth of the amount to pay for a new granite sign in front of the school. Former WCHS President Frank Drake (2000-2002) presided over the ceremony when the stone sign was dedicated.

More recent concerns of the Society have been the saving and relocation of the historic chapel of the Church of The Good Shepherd on Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street and the turning of the Dorothea Dix Hospital campus into an inner-city park, and restoring some of the tombstones in the Raleigh City Cemetery. The Society prides itself in offering support to many worthy causes such as these.

The Wake County Historical Society usually has about six to seven programs a year. The various topics have included a slide presentation on lost buildings in Raleigh, what happened to the Fresnel Lens at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, private cemeteries, visiting the Manassa Thomas Pope house, hearings a history of Christ Church at Christ Church, what it means to be southern, ghosts at Mordecai House, and on and on. Each program has had excellent speakers that educated as well as entertained the attendees. The Society has also taken many trips to destinations like Edenton, Danville, Norfolk, Lynchburg, Washington D.CV., and many more.

This has been a society that did things. We have had projects that evolved into separate groups that formed to save historic buildings. We have had smaller projects to place historic signs where historic event took place. We support groups and causes to preserve history and our culture. We provide programs for our members. We provide trips to historic places for our members. We are an active historical society that strives to make a difference.

The Wake County Historical Society is now preparing for its 50^th Anniversary. This is quite an achievement for a historical group to last this long. They must be doing something right.

Charles Terrell 
Ray Hinnant
Barbara Massenburg