It is marked by the three passageways that
pierce the central ground level section and
Ionic pilasters on the upper walls. The single
story wings are topped by balustraded roots.
The lower on the hipped roof contains a four¬
faced clock that has run accurately since 1838.
For many years the clock's works were cared, for
by a Fayetteville jeweler whose son. for the sum
of 25 cents a week, kept the clock wound and
rang the tower bell. (Open daily, Admission
free.)
OLD SALEM
This well-preserved and restored Moravian
settlement had its beginnings in the 1700’s when
the Moravians purchased almost 100,000 acres
from Lord Granville.
The village itself was planned around a square
at the renter of 20 blocks. Forty of the town's
old buildings remain standing. In 1950 a non
profit group was formed to oversee the preser¬
vation and restoration of the village and its
structures.
The community has dignity and a warm
character reflecting the love its builders felt fot
good materials and workmanship.
Buildings of Old Salem uiilize a number of
unusual architectural treatments. I hesc include
double-tiered dormer windows, a steep pitch in
the gable roofs with a slight change in the pitch
at the gutter; segmental and semi-circular arched
hoods supported on handsomely shaped brack¬
ets, flat elliptical arches over doors and win¬
dows, interesting hardware, and door latches.
Restoration includes shops as well as homes.
F.xcept those used for exhibition, the dwellings
are still used as residences.
Among the many restored homes and build¬
ings are I he Brothers House. Winkler's Bakery,
the Tobacco Shop, Wachovia Museum, Salem
Tavern, Sisters House, Home Moravian Church,
Salem Academy and College. (Open 9:30-'1:30
weekdays; Sunday 1:30-4:30 p.tn.; Admission I5jf
to 11.00.)
STATE CAPITOL
Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful
public buildings in the nation, llie North
Carolina Slate Capitol is an excellent example
of Grecian Doric architecture.
It was authorized by the General Assembly
of 1832. And stone for the building was quarried
at a site east of t lie city and transported over
North Carolina's first railroad. Completed in
1840, die building cost Tar Heel taxpayers
$530,684.
Situated on a beautifully landscaped "square,"
the Capitol is 160 feeL long north to south, 140
feet east to west, and 97‘/2 feet high at the
center. Dorii porticoes on the east and west
wings and the w'eathered green copper roof and
dome provide the dominant exterior architec¬
tural motifs.
In the entrance hallways worn stairs and
flooring of uneven slabs of granite greet the
visitor. The principal axis of the floor plan is a
rotunda crowned by a low dome.
The floor of the rotunda at the second story
is in the form ol a gallery around a 17-foot
circular well, overhanging the lower floor about
nine feet and without apparent support. (Open
Monday through Friday 9-5. Admission free.)
GOVERNOR'S MANSION
In 1792, Burke Square, now 210 North Blount
Street in Raleigh, was suggested as the "proper
situation for the Governor's house." but it was
not until 1885 that the General Assembly
authorized construction of the building.
Despite the delay, the mansion was begun
on Blount Street and with the use of convict
labor was completed in 1891.
The building was designed by Gustavus
Adolphus Bauer and is considered to be one
of the State's best examples of Victorian archi¬
tectural styles.
Numerous gables, a patterned roof, panelled
chimneys, and lathe-turned porches were used
in the design and construction.
In 1949. the Mansion underwent extensive
renovations and redecoration. In 1968, the wife
of Governor Dan Moore completed a four-year
program to provide the mansion with furnish¬
ings and utensils of historic and cultural signifi¬
cance to the State. (Open by appointment only.
Admission free.)
CHOWAN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
No better example of a Georgian public build¬
ing exists anywhere than this old courthouse
at Eden ton.
At once, the building proclaims the need it
was intended to satisfy. The courtroom occupies
the important central space and on the outside
fine brickwork is trimmed neatly, A graceful
cupola tops the building, and on the second
floor is some of the most remarkable paneling
in colonial buildings.
Architect Thomas Waterman described the
building as "perhaps the finest Georgian court¬
house in the South."
Built in 1767. the building has been in con¬
tinuous use ever since. A part of Historic Eden-
ton Town. (Open Tuesday-Saiurday 10-4:30
p.m.; Sunday 2-5: closed on holidays. Tour Ad¬
mission: Adults $1.00, Children 25f, Special
rates for school groups and city wide tours.)
J. S. HORTON ARENA
Located on the North Carolina State Fair¬
grounds on the western edge of Raleigh, the
J. S. Dorton Arena has been called "the most
significant new building in the country" and
"one of the most remarkable buildings ever
constructed."
The round, glass structure is of parabolic de¬
sign, and its concave roof is supported on cables
suspended between 90-foot concrete arches.
An ingenious interior design includes, in
addition to the arena, upper and lower con¬
courses suitable for exhibits and displays.
The building is used regularly for a variety
of exhibitions and entertainment events. (Open
weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission free.)
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