Cupola House Association

250 Anniversary

Cupola House in disrepair

Cupola House before citizens saved it from destruction

1918
After years of watching this architectural jewel fall into disrepair news spread that the owners of the Cupola House had sold all of the fine interior woodwork to the Brooklyn Museum. Realizing the potential loss of the house had become a reality; citizens of Edenton went into action.

Citizens met and formed the nucleus of a group to save the Cupola House from further destruction. The first recorded minutes of the new organization include the following entry: ”The following citizens met in Mr. Pruden’s office and agreed to organize an association for the purchase and preservation of the Cupola House, and subscribed the sums affixed to their names for that purpose”. The organization was referred to as “The Cupola House Library and Museum”.

Solicitation of funds began and, on March 11, the upper section of the house was purchased by a group of wealthy Edenton citizens, with the intent of saving as much as possible of the remaining structure.

On April 25, 1918, the association acquired the Cupola House and property.

1921
Last of the property immediately surrounding the Cupola house is acquired.

From this period to present the Cupola House has served the community in many ways. For 45 years it served as home to Edenton’s first public library, as a Tea Room and Museum. The interior woodwork was replaced based on exacting copies of the original, which was in the Brooklyn Museum. The Cupola House was saved and became a single entity of great importance to the city and the nation’s colonial history.

1967
The Association acquires additional land surrounding the Cupola House. Thus, the Association had finally acquired all the property presently constituting the present Cupola House site.

1971
The Cupola House is designated a Registered National Historic Landmark.

1973
The Cupola House Association (name approved 1970) qualified for federal internal revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Thus the Association became eligible to receive contributions, which qualified on a tax-deductible basis.

The Cupola House Association is the result of the earliest community preservation effort in North Carolina to save an historic structure.

In 1918, citizens rallied to form an organization to save the Cupola House. This organization eventually became The Cupola House Association, dedicated to the protection of this historic landmark.

The Cupola House Board is committed to the stewardship of the Cupola House itself – both present and future. The Association has overseen the establishment of the gardens in accordance with plans for a colonial garden appropriate to the period. Be sure to visit the Garden section to see the beauty of the Cupola House gardens.

Period furnishings have been purchased and some original pieces have been reacquired. Renovations continue on a yearly, if not daily, basis to maintain the structure and grounds.

The Cupola House today

The Cupola House today, thanks to the vision and dedication of the Association founders.

The Association depends greatly on membership for funding these ongoing expenditures. We encourage you to consider membership in the Cupola House Association. Please refer to the Membership section to see how you can join in to help this worthy project.

Become a Member!