THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504130166
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA
DATELINE: EDENTON LENGTH: Long : 144 lines
THERE'S NOTHING like the thought of house guests to force a major cleaning frenzy.
A few callers mean it's time to plump the pillows and launder the linens. Maybe even dust the baseboards and check the ceilings for cobwebs.
But to prepare for 2,000 visitors, as are expected at next weekend's Edenton Biennial Pilgrimage - well, let's just say there may be a run on silver polish and floor wax before Friday arrives.
In a town that's been frequently described as one of the South's finest, Edenton's unstudied elegance doesn't come without a full-citizen rush to the proverbial powder room for a last-minute touchup.
``It's the biggest event in Edenton,'' said Nancy James, co-chair of this year's tour of historic homes. ``It's amazing to me to watch, not only the homeowners on tour, but all the others out there fluffing and puffing their homes.''
James is working this year with fellow Edenton Woman's Club member Mary Jo Sellers to coordinate the 46-year-old tour of homes and Chowan County countryside.
``It's such an uplifting experience,'' said Sellers, whose home was shown two years ago. ``People make you feel so good when they see your home. Even if they're lying, it makes you feel so good.''
This year's pilgrimage includes the most homes ever - 17 private residences in and around Edenton and eight public buildings and churches.
Other town events being held in conjunction with the tour are the Edenton Bay Art Show at the Courthouse Green and Music a la Carte at Swain Auditorium.
There also is the Albemarle Craftsman Guild Show and Sale at John Holmes High School and an antiques show at the Edenton-Chowan Recreation Center.
Among the tour hosts are first-timers Mary Ann Coffey and Murphy Moss, who like to restore homes for a hobby and have turned their current dwelling, the H.C. Privott House on King Street, into a real showcase.
The attorneys bought the brick Queen Anne structure, with its corner tower and cornice, more than four years ago after Moss eyed the brick-fenced back yard.
That yard has since been filled in with grand flower gardens, a water fountain accented by a Portuguese tile backdrop, a steel arbor, terraced rose bushes and a brick walkway.
The inside of the couple's home reveals an extensive rug collection from places like Portugal and Greece.
Among its most striking elements are a wooden spandrel at the main hallway entrance, a brick archway leading into the kitchen and a waterfront scene wallpapered onto the south wall of the main dining area.
Coffey and Moss are only the third owners of the house, which was built around 1900.
``These houses aren't sold like in other communities,'' Sellers explained. ``They're passed along within families.''
The Doric-pillared Allison House at the other end of King Street is another home new on the tour.
This Friday and Saturday, Woody and Page Bolz will publicly unveil nine months' worth of extensive renovations to the 1851 Greek Revival they bought a year ago.
Woody Bolz planted 1,000 tulips specifically for the pilgrimage, but even if the blooms peaked two weeks too early, no one will notice after they visit.
A ``rug'' painted onto the hardwood foyer floor mimicks the Chinese pheasant wallco vering at the house entrance. Portraits of family ancestors decorate the walls, and 1902 brass fixtures are finally getting to shine after being covered by coats of black paint for many years.
It's been about 10 years since Virginia Byrum entertained pilgrimage visitors at the Littlejohn House on West Eden Street.
But she still ranks among the town's top hostesses.
``My blue phlox hasn't come into bloom, and my azaleas are not up to par yet,'' she said apologetically. ``I'm holding out for the tour.''
Built by a Scottish shipping magnate, the Littlejohn House is noted for its woodwork.
``It's said to have the prettiest woodwork in the county,'' the spry 72-year-old Byrum said in her gentle Southern lilt.
As evidence, she points to the medallions carved in some of the dwelling's doors.
``They are quite a conversational piece,'' she said.
A special item brought out at tour time is a shoe found crammed inside a wall and believed to have been left when the Littlejohns were residents.
``It must have been a slave shoe, because Mrs. Littlejohn wouldn't have worn a shoe like this,'' Byrum said, holding up the brittle brown relic.
The homes on Friday and Saturday's tour - open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. - were selected by the Edenton Historical Commission and must be at least 100 years old, give or take a few years.
Sites include some normally opened to the public - the Iredell House, Cupola House, Barker House, Chowan County Courthouse and four churches.
Unlike previous Woman's Club tours, this year's homes are less scattered, making it easier to walk through.
They include, in addition to those already mentioned, Wessington House, Pembroke Hall, Butler House, The Elliott-Sitterson House, Iredell Jr. House, The Homestead, Hatch House and Coffield House.
The five homes in the countryside also are easily accessible. This year's selections are Jubilee Farm, Mulberry Hill, Greenfield, Mount Auburn and Elmwood.
All the homes are bound to remind Southern Living magazine devotees of their favorite spreads.
``It's better than Southern Living,'' said Linda Lane, this year's publicity chairwoman.
``Even when they're spruced up for Pilgrimage, they still look like homes - the warts and everything are exposed.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Edenton's finest homes are readied for its pilgrimage.
[Color cover photo]
Page Bolz looks down from the winding staircase of her home, one of
those on dispay during the Edenton Bienniel Pilgrimage.
Naturalist and photographer Paris Trail of Edenton has photographs
on display with other ariststs in a juried art show at the Chowan
Community Center during the pilgrimage weekend.
Murphy Moss, center, and his wife Mary Ann Coffey live in the H.C.
Privott House a Victorian-style home built using brick.
Nancy James, left, and Mary Jo Sellers are co-chairs of this year's
Edenton Bienniel Pilgrimage.
PILGRIMAGE
The Edenton Biennial Pilgrimage will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
and from 2p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22.
Tickets are $18 for the tour only and $22 for the additional
antiques and craftsman's guild shows.
Shuttle service to the countryside homes is included in the
tickets, which may be purchased in advance from the Edenton Woman's
Club, P.O. Box 12, Edenton, N.C., 27932.
On tour days, tickets may be purchased at the Barker House or
Historic Edenton Visitors Center.
Proceeds will benefit Historic Edenton Preservation.
Other special events include:
the Albemarle Craftsman's Guild Show & Sale
Antique Show & Sale
Edenton Bay Art Show & Sale
Edenton Pilgrimage Choral Festival.
For more information on the choral festival or art show, call the
Chowan Arts Council at (919) 482-8005.
by CNB