Organization rallies to stop Greenville historic Higgs House demolition

By Elise Sandlin, Correspondent, WITN

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The historic Higgs House has been a long withstanding building in the Greenville community, but over the last year its faced possible demolition.

Preservation North Carolina has been fighting to stop the process since it was scheduled in January 2024.

As the house was built over a century ago, President and CEO Benjamin Briggs says its getting worn around the edges after a lack of investment for some time.

“The house has great bones. The architecture, the character, the press metal ceilings,” Briggs says. “The Victorian details, the staircases, all are just impressing people and they just love it so much.”

its fully glory.

Maggie Gregg, the Regional Director for the Eastern Office says the Higgs House is a landmark for Greenville.

“It’s really great to see the energy of all of these people out experiencing this place because you can talk about a place, you can look at the photos of it, but actually entering the property really is the only way to truly gain the context,” Gregg says.

Gregg says the house was built in 1905 by the Higgs family and has served as a home, a restaurant, and a facility for people transitioning back into society.

Preservation North Carolina hopes the Higgs House will be remodeled and used for modern purposes while still maintaining its historic charm.