2018 Conference Schedule

UPDATE:  The Preservation North Carolina Annual Conference has been POSTPONED until March 20-22.

We hope to see you at the Annual Conference! Click HERE to register.

If you are already registered and have questions about your registration, please contact Annie Jernigan at 919-832-3652 x 227 or email ajernigan@presnc.org.

Wednesday, March 20

1:00pm-4:00pm: REGISTRATION (Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington)

2:00pm-5:00pm: WELCOME TO WILMINGTON/WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, PRESERVATION YEAR IN REVIEW, AND LAURA PHILLIPS (GRAND ILLUSIONS) BOOK TALK (Reception Hall, Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington)

  • 2:00pm – 2:50pm: Welcome to Wilmington from Mayor Bill Saffo. Learn about the architecture and history of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach from UNC-Wilmington Professor, Dr. Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr., Wrightsville Beach Museum director, Madeline Flagler, and Historic Wilmington Foundation Executive Director, Beth Rutledge.
  • 3:00pm- 4:45pm: Travel throughout the state and learn about the accomplishments of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office and a recap of the year’s significant events from Preservation North Carolina. Dr. Kevin Cherry, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and  Preservation NC Staff.
  • 4:45pm-5:00pm: Architectural historian and author, Laura Phillips, will discuss her new book, Grand Illusions. “With Grand Illusions, Laura Phillips brings to readers her findings after decades of study of decorative interior painting. The chief focus is on the walls of North Carolina residences in the nineteenth century with nods to examples in nonresidential and out-of-state structures.”  Grand Illusions will be available for sale throughout the conference. Laura will be signing books on Thursday (March 21).

5:30pm-7pm: REGISTRATION (Lobby of Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach )

5:30pm-8:30pm: WELCOME TO THE BEACH! Eat, drink and soak in ocean breezes with fellow preservationists on the beautiful garden lawn at our conference hotel, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. The Blockade Runner is a beautiful mid-century boutique hotel and resort, originally called “The Blockade Runner Motor Hotel”, the 120 room building was constructed in 1964 for Wilmingtonian Lawrence Lewis, Jr. (1918-1995). Named for the blockade running business that made Wilmington famous during the Civil War, the hotel has been enlarged several times. It was purchased in 1971 by Four Seasons Management, Inc. led by Dr. Joseph Baggett (1916-2005), native of Fayetteville, NC. The hotel management continues with his heirs.(Outdoor Lawn, Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach).

Thursday, March 21

8:30am-11:30am: MORNING REGISTRATION (Blockade Runner Resort Lobby, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach)

9:30-9:50am WELCOME from Wilmington Native and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi Hamilton (Lee Ballroom, Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach)

10am-10:45am PRESERVATION + INNOVATION KEYNOTE:  Hear Winston-Salem Urban League President/CEO and noted preservationist James Perry share his experiences in historic preservation in New Orleans. Perry will also discuss the intersections of innovation, entrepreneurship and preservation and how historic preservation can create and drive economic opportunities in communities. (Lee Ballroom, Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach) Sponsored by Marion Stedman Covington Foundation.

11:00am-12:30pm PRESERVATION + INNOVATION KEYNOTE SESSION:   Join us for a conversation and be inspired by the stories of Kinston innovators and entrepreneurs Stephen Hill (President and Founder, Mother Earth Brewing), Cary Joshi (President, Social House Vodka) and Tony Sears (Kinston City Manager) who are bringing their new ideas to old buildings — utilizing historic spaces and revitalizing the Kinston community along the way. (Lee Ballroom, Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach) Sponsored by Marion Stedman Covington Foundation.

12:30pm-2:00pm: BEACH BUFFET LUNCH.  Fill up your plate and enjoy lunch and an amazing view of your choice on the Blockade Runner grounds.

1:30pm-4:00pm: AFTERNOON REGISTRATION (Blockade Runner Resort Lobby, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach)

2:00pm-3:00pm: CONCURRENT SESSIONS (in various meeting rooms within Blockade Runner Resort)

A1. PRESERVATION + INNOVATION: MORE ON KINSTON INNOVATION. Do you have more questions for Stephen, Cary and Tony about their work in Kinston and how you can do it in your town?  Get the nuts and bolts of their stories in a smaller setting and get the answers to your questions from Stephen Hill, Cary Joshi and Tony Sears  (Blockade Runner Resort Meeting Room)

B1.  TRAINING FOR COMMISSIONS: CREATIVE PROJECTS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS. Winston- Salem Project Planner, Michelle McCullough, Local Preservation Commission/Certified Local Government Coordinator, SHPO, Amber Stimpson, and Preservation Specialist, SHPO, Annie McDonald will lead this workshop focused on creative commission projects across the state, staff roles and responsibilities and commission work planning. (Blockade Runner Resort Meeting Room).

C1. RACIAL EQUITY WORKSHOP: Preservation NC will host a Groundwater Presentation by the Racial Equity Institute (based in Greensboro, North Carolina). The Groundwater Presentation is a 2 hour workshop that introduces audiences to Racial Equity and uses stories and data to present a perspective that racism is fundamentally structural in nature. By examining characteristics of modern-day racial inequity, the presentation introduces participants to an analysis that most find immediately helpful and relevant. The workshop will focus on racial equity in the context of historic preservation, in particular engaging and preserving culturally significant spaces, communities and structures. (Blockade Runner Resort Meeting Room) Sponsored by Thomas S. Kenan, III

D1. OUR DIVERSE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY: AFRICAN AMERICAN BUILDERS AND ARCHITECTS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR. Historian Cynthia Brown will discuss her discoveries researching the history of Wilmington’s historic St. Stephen Church, highlighting the specific work and collaborative efforts of African American builders and artisans who designed and constructed the church. Architectural historian Catherine Bishir will share her current research on postwar African American builders, featuring findings collected for the biographical dictionary website at North Carolina State University Libraries, ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu, and exploring how individual artisans navigated the opportunities and obstacles they faced from Emancipation to the Great Depression. (Blockade Runner Resort Meeting Room)

3:00pm-3:30pm: BREAK

3:30pm-4:30pm: CONCURRENT SESSIONS (in various meeting rooms within Blockade Runner Resort)

A2. PRESERVATION + INNOVATION: SMALL TOWN, BIG IDEAS. Hear how business owners, developers and entrepreneurs have utilized innovative trends in the hotel, arts and food/beverage industries and more to revitalize their communities and transform their small towns through preservation. Developer Gene Rees of Mount Airy and Richard A. Swartzel, President of Cornerstone United in Hickory will share their experiences and expertise.  Learn how they did it in their town, and how you can do it in yours!

B2.  TRANING FOR COMMISSIONS: I NEED TO WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS…HELP!   A step by step guide on how to work with elected bodies and advocate for historic preservation presented by historic preservation expert and National Trust consultant Esther Hall.  Esther will share her playbook and trade secrets on preservation advocacy and working with elected officials. She’ll also share how she successfully created and executed an advocacy campaign for preservation with local and statewide elected officials.

C2. RACIAL EQUITY WORKSHOP: Continuation of the 2 hour Racial Equity Workshop, see description above. (Blockade Runner Resort Meeting Room) Sponsored by Thomas S. Kenan, III

D2. OUR DIVERSE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY: FIELD SESSION AT WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MUSEUM.  Travel just down the road to the Wrightsville Beach Museum to learn and see first hand the unique architectural history and artifacts of Wrightsville’s beach homes and buildings, plus view recently relocated and saved historic beach cottages. Hosted by Madeline Flagler, Executive Director Wrightsville Beach Museum. (Wrightsville Beach Museum,  303 W Salisbury St, Wrightsville Beach, NC)

5:30pm-6:30pm: REGISTRATION (Carolina Yacht Club, 401 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach) 

5:30pm-7:30pm: HISTORIC BEACH COTTAGES AND CAROLINA YACHT CLUB TOUR: Join us for a tour of historic Wrightsville Beach Cottages, just steps from the Blockade Runner Resort. The tour ends with light refreshments at historic and exclusive Carolina Yacht Club. Sponsored by The Christman Company.

Sprunt Cottage – 301 South Lumina. The gabled-roofed, shingled cottage was built in 1927 for Lula and Alexander Sprunt. Porches on three sides have simple balustrades; multiple entrances lead to the unpainted, unaltered interior; original five-panel and “saloon” louvered doors remain, as do the wooden clasps for the exterior original louvered shutters. The cottage was raised to its’ current height in 2016; an exact replica of the original detached servents’ quarters was built in 2018. The cottage has remained in the family and has been enjoyed by five generations.

Parsley Cottage – 222 South Lumina Ave. Built 1922-24 by Robert and Elizabeth Parsley this is a vernacular, cypress shingled home with a lovely view of Banks Channel. In fact, the water used to come up to the sound side porch of this house – the oldest remaining on Wrightsville Beach – and boats could be launched right in the yard. This house is virtually unaltered in 92 years. The famous trolley stopped outside and the windows, interior doors, venting cupola and big porches all speak to airflow and a relaxed day at the beach.

Carolina Yacht Club – 401 South Lumina Ave. In 1853 seven men who loved sailing founded the Carolina Yacht Club. That version of the club was the first structure on an area known as the Hammocks, now Wrightsville Beach. They fiercely competed in regattas on the river, sound, and sea, and celebrated their victories at merry Banks parties. An 1899 storm forced a redesign and the first trolley car that ran along Lumina Avenue stopped here in 1903. In 1954 the infamous Hurricane Hazel destroyed the site and its fleet. The rebuilt club is the one you see today, along with some additions. Today the one thousand members of the Carolina Yacht Club carry on the tradition of sailing and socializing.

**DINNER ON YOUR OWN** If you plan to have dinner at the Blockade Runner Restaurant, please make reservations on Open Table: https://www.opentable.com/east-blockade-runner-beach-resort

8:30pm-Until: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GATHERING: A fun, casual get-together for the young and young at heart, free to all conference attendees. Enjoy ocean breezes and views right on the beach at the historic Blockade Runner Resort! (Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach) Sponsored by Maurer Architecture.

Friday, March 22

8:30am-11:30am: MORNING REGISTRATION (Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington)

9:00am-9:15am THALIAN HALL WELCOME AND HISTORY: Tony Rivenbark, Thalian Hall Executive Director (Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington)

9:15am- 9:30am: PNC HEADQUARTERS UPDATE: Myrick Howard, Preservation NC President, will give an update on Preservation NC’s headquarters project at the Halls and Graves-Fields Houses in Raleigh’s Historic Oberlin Village. The houses are two of Raleigh’s most important African-American landmarks, individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the 1880s, they vividly tell remarkable post-Civil War stories where former slaves optimistically embraced the importance of hard work and education as the means to provide a better life for themselves and their children. Myrick will also share information about PNC’s Fall Symposium, celebrating the completion of the project. (Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington)

9:30am-10:30am: ORTON ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION: Orton Plantation is a working plantation of 14,000 acres located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, with historical roots dating back to the early 1700s. Orton has an extensive program dedicated to the restoration of the Longleaf Pine forest and wire-grass ecosystem, threatened plant and animal communities, and wildlife. Orton has also undergone an archaeological investigation that has revealed neighboring Kendal plantation (part of the property purchase in 2010) as the home of the founding Moore family, who were critical to the development of the physical and political landscape of the Cape Fear region. Nick Dawson, landscape architect and manager at Orton, will highlight these recent discoveries, Orton’s many periods of historic significance, and discuss the role continued evolution plays in land use and the preservation of a historic landscape. (Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington)

10:30am-11:00am: BREAK

11:00am-12:15pm: 2018 Preservation North Carolina HONOR AWARDS. (Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington) Presented by Biltmore

12:30pm-2:00pm: HONOR AWARDS RECEPTION (Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market St, Wilmington)

2:00pm-4:00pm: HISTORIC WILMINGTON TOURS: Conference attendees may take exclusive tours of Historic Wilmington locations.

  • Bellamy Mansion (guided)
  • Sacred Spaces tour including:
    • St. Stephen A.M.E Church, 501 Red Cross St, Wilmington (guided)
    • St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 601 Grace St, Wilmington (guided)
    • Temple of Israel, 1 S 4th St, Wilmington (self-guided)
  • Downtown Revitalization Tour of Front Street Buildings (guided)
    • Solomon Brothers Building at 1 & 9 S. Front St.
    • Todd’s Building at 21 S. Front St.
    • 10 S. Front St., The Ruin
  • Legacy Architectural Salvage (1831 Dawson St, Wilmington):  Our conference wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include a little shopping right?  Historic Wilmington Foundation will open the doors of its Legacy Architectural Salvage store just for us on Friday afternoon! LAS is a preservationist’s dream — with an inventory full of doors, windows, door knobs, fireplace mantels, newel posts, finials, sinks and more!  Don’t miss this unique opportunity provided exclusively for our conference attendees! Click HERE for more on Legacy Architectural Salvage.