IN TAR BORO,
VISIT
Pender
Museum
Fiiiplisisixini»' I lio history
of old Fdg'oooiuho Coiin-
‘.v-
It, i KLT1I Ml INCH Fit
The quaint, unpretentious little
structure pictured here is gradually be¬
coming a treasure house for the people
of Edgecombe County, for it contains
a growing collection of priceless items
significant in the history of their area.
It is the Pender Museum, a Museum
of Edgecombe County history in Tar-
boro ( first spelled Tarborough ) .
The house itself, an ancient Edge¬
combe County farmhouse, is something
of a treasure. Records show it was built
about 1810. It was moved from its
former location between Conctoe and
Old Sparta to its present site in 1968
as the first step in the long-range mu¬
seum project of the Edgecombe Coun¬
ty Historical Society.
Their plan envisions the restoration
of a typical plantation house, with its
dependencies, yard and garden, a com¬
plete working organism as it would
have been in the early 19th century.
The nearby large house, built by
General Thomas Blount in the same
decade (owned by the town of Tar-
boro and known now as the Commun¬
ity House) will eventually be the cen¬
ter of the Plantation complex.
Following the recommendation of
the N. C. Historic Sites Division, the
completed museum is housing the story
of the Blount family, one of the most
Rcstorotion of this chotming 160-ycor-old country bouse provided on oppropriolc ond fotcinoting
repository for item» of historic intcreO ond significonce for Tarboro ond Edgecombe County. Cos-
turned ond stonding on the front porch ore Elixobeth Brinson, daughter of Mr. ond Mrs. Jock Brinson
ond Brent Nosh, Jr., son of Mr. ond Mrs. Nosh. The steps ond built-in benches on the porch were
foithfully reproduced, os »ere the chimneys.
prominent and influential families of
the area, at the same time serving as
a town and county museum.
Miss Pender's Gift
The late Miss Katherine Pender of
Tarboro left a generous bequest for the
founding of a museum to preserve the
local history. This money, with dona¬
tions from members and friends of the
Edgecombe County Historical Society
and a substantial grant from H.U.D.
financed the restoration.
This charming little house was
picked for its excellence of detail and
construction, and also because of its
connection with the Blount family. Built
by Silas Everett, it became the prop¬
erty of his wife. Rebecca, upon his
death in 1839. She in turn left it to
her granddaughter, Susan Rebecca
Blount, daughter of Levi Blount and
his wife, Susan Everett. Levi Blount
was a kinsman of General Thomas
Blount. A daughter of the Levi Blounts
married first John Porter (a portrait
of them may be seen in the museum )
True reproduction of the montle in the porlor
•о»
possible
о»
it» outline wo» plainly marked on
the wall». Note the poncling on coch tide of the
mantle. It i» the original, ond hod been pointed
mony lime». To the left of the fircploce i» the
little Holme» Cotton Gin, one of the eorlie»!
mode in thi» country. If wo» patented in 1793 by
Hodgton Holme» of Augu»ta, Georgio.
and later. John Walston. The house
remained in the Walston family for
sixty years.
When the house was moved front
its original setting on the Bullock farm,
it was carried by truck, delaying traf¬
fic on the highway for several miles.
After it came to rest in its pictur¬
esque setting on Saint Andrew Street
in Tarboro. craftsman Mcrklc Pulley
and his helpers worked diligently for
months, restoring the little "Walston-
Bullock" house, supported by the guid¬
ance of Dr. Victor (i. Herring III.
Acquisitions
Gradually, the list of acquisitions
for the museum is growing, some pre¬
sented as an out-right gift, others on
loan to the museum. I he Walstons,
who lived in the little house for gen¬
erations (and can even show you where
the great-grandfather’s rocker wore a
spot into the pine floor near the fire¬
place) have contributed valuable fur¬
nishings.
Of particular interest to many peo¬
ple and especially to farmers, is a liny
Holmes Cotton Gin. one of the earliest
made in the country. It was hand-
operated and has saws rather than wire
teeth, as did the Whitney gin. It was
patented in 1793 by Hodgson Holmes
of Augusta. Georgia.
Among other items housed here arc:
THE STATE. December 15. 1970
17
