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Blake acknowledged the shame of having these buildings unavailable to the public, the MCHA agreed! Marilyn remembers, “We removed all of the tea room items and set up the house as a museum. That first year, over 2000 visitors from all over the world visited!” Since the 1980s, the Shaw House has operated as a museum house. Trained volunteers knowledgeable of the history give guided tours to anyone who visits—one person, 20 people, school groups, organizations. Presenting local history year around, the importance of the MCHA remains to preserve our local history and culture and to share it. Marilyn who gives tours exclaims, “The children are so amazed to see how people lived in the past; they have no concept of how simple, how difficult, how hard life was! You see Mrs. Shaw had 12 children; the lady who lived in the Sanders cabin had ten. Imagine growing your food, preparing your food, serving the food. Women had to spin the yarn, dye the yarn, thread the loom, weave the cloth, and make garments. They had to do all the laundry and all the housework—while they were pregnant! Of course, older children took care of younger children, but there was no running water, no central heat, no air conditioning, no electricity, no cook stove. In the cabin they used the fireplace for heat and light, and either lit pine knots or a little lamp with some fat for light at night. There was no television, no radio, no newspapers; very few books. Hot in the summer, cold in the winter—the wind and snow came right through the shingled roofs. The kids who HISTORY continued HISTORY continued slept in the loft would be covered in snow when they woke up. The first thing they did was grab their quilt, run outdoors, and shake the snow off in order to have dry bedding that night. I can’t think of many things that were easy; it was a matter of survival, and everybody worked.” Guests are in for a treat as there are 3 houses on the campus: Shaw House, c.1820s, a pre-Civil War home settled by the Scottish immigrants. The Garner House, c.1790s, a preserved example of a rural home in the 1700s; Sanders Cabin, 1770’s, a one-room cabin owned by Britt and Spicey Sanders. In total, the MCHA owns and manages 5 home sites including the Bryant House c.1820, a 2 story house with handmade mantels, doors, etc. and the McLendon Cabin c.1760. This one room log cabin showcases the lives of early settlers. The House in the Horseshoe is another local historic site preserved under Mrs. Ives and the MCHA which bought the home, restored it, and gave it to the state in 1972. Mrs. Ives wrote a book, My Brother Adlai, to help fund the restoration. The House in the Horseshoe has an interesting tie in to local history. Sara tells, “Kenneth Black, originally from Scotland, lived over near where Pinecrest Plaza is today. Black was a loyalist who did not want to join the rebels; yet he was not fanatically loyal to the King of England. Black was murdered in July 1781, at the little dam near the Elks Club Golf Course. Killed in a case of mistaken identity Black was riding a horse that belonged to David Fanning, a very active loyalist, whom the attackers wanted to kill. Philip Alston, the House and the Horseshoe owner, sent men to kill Fanning; they didn’t recognize him but they knew his horse. Fanning was infuriated; so he and his men attacked the house in revenge for Kenneth Black’s death.” Thus the battle at the House and the Horseshoe. The stories continue as the MCHA has been preserving history and educating people for more than 70 years. Marilyn smiles, “I fell in love with the MCHA because it was so unique; the members are the most loyal people ever! I’ve hung in 35 years.” Milton agrees, “I’ve been involved with the MCHA for 50 years.” Sara, a volunteer for 5 years says, “We offer a fascinating way for locals to learn about early America. Come take the tour!” The MCHA offers much to our community, and locals can get involved in many ways. Docents are needed to give tours, especially on the weekends. Volunteers can always help out, and locals are encouraged to become members as membership fees help support the work. Wanting to give back, Mr. Jim Jones, copresident of the MCHA, volunteers. Previous owners of Beefeaters for 20 years, Jim and his wife call Moore County “a gem with such an interesting cross-section of people from all across the country.” As we walk the grounds, Jim points out the turpentine tree and shares some history, “The soil was poor in Moore County, but the longleaf pines became a tremendous resource for timber and by-products of turpentine, tar, and pitch used in shipping. North Carolina quickly became the largest producer for naval stores in the world. In its heyday, all wooden sailing ships were smeared with pitch—the sails, ropes, and the wood.” Mr. John Burns, co-president of the MCHA emphasizes, “Our goal is to maintain and preserve the conditions of the historic homes we have here in Southern Pines and in Carthage. We encourage all locals to become members.” Volunteering with MCHA is important for John and his wife. Raised in Aberdeen, John states, “I’ve worked in Southern Pines at the bank beside the park for 45 years. I’ve grown up here, worked here, and raised my family here.” In remembering the Shaws’ twelve children, Burns shares a favorite childhood memory. “Aberdeen Lake was the center of activity during the summer; you couldn’t find a parking place! We had lifeguards and a bath house with little metal baskets to put your clothes in. At night, we had a jukebox at the bath house, and the young people would dance. Aberdeen Lake was the center of life!” Our conversation is soon joined by a lady visiting from Las Vegas who came in for a tour. Marilyn volunteers to show her around and begins the history lesson all over again. “This is the oldest house in Southern Pines on its original foundation, almost 200 years old. The foundation is made out of heart pine. Since the termites do not like heart pine, they’ve lasted. This is the home of the Shaw family who owned 2500 acres in the early 1800s and built this house for their family. Mr. Shaw was considered a wealthy man, although there was not a lot of cash flow. The pines were his biggest asset; and you’ll notice that all the timbers in the house are pine. All the furniture is made of pine; this piece is pegged, crafted before nails were used. Feel the pegs sticking up? This was on somebody’s back porch as a wash table, and it’s our finest piece of furniture.” From the Shaw House, to the Sanders Cabin, and the Garner House we learn about the lives of our early American settlers. From the past to the present, locals continue to make this experience possible as the Sanders Cabin and Garner House came from Robbins. The corn crib from the Graham family in West End; the tobacco barn from Carthage by a Shaw family descendant. The MCHA, a non-profit who welcomes donations, receives no state or federal funding to support five houses, a corn crib, and a tobacco barn. In seeking to reach the community, the MCHA hosts historic lectures, offers special events, maintains a wonderful library, and publishes historical books. Membership includes a newsletter and special discounts for trips. Joining Sara, Marilyn, Milton, Jim, John and the rest of the family, may we all record our names within the Shaw House legacy. �� HISTORY con't. next column HISTORY con't. next column HISTORY con't from p. 30 Co-Presidents, Jim Jones & John Burns. Come take a tour and see early Americana. The Shaw House, Southern Pines, NC. www.moorehistory.com info@moorehistory.com p.32 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 127


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