"PRESERVING THE PAST FOR THE  FUTURE"

The  Hickory Landmarks Society

Corinth Church Parsonage (1895)  Restored (1995-96) Houk's Chapel (1888) Restoration in progress   Heritage Days at Maple Grove, A free educational program for area school children. Annual historic preservation bus tour  Docents describing to area students  about living in Hickory Tavern NC in the late  1800's.

Historic preservation is the Ultimate Recycling The  Hickory Landmarks Society believes that innovation and cooperation will enable our region to grow and treasure its past in harmony. Historic preservation stabilizes property  values and stimulates new investment in older residential neighborhoods  and commercial areas. Preservation efforts increase tourism and business activity. The improved appearance of old buildings enhances recruitment of industry. Through a relatively small public expenditure on historic  preservation, Hickory has benefited from a boost to its tax base. And  throughout the Catawba Valley, historic preservation is attracting people  to areas that may otherwise decline. Incorporated in 1968, the Hickory Landmarks Society (HLS) is one of the oldest local historic preservation organizations in North Carolina. Its purpose is to protect  individual historic landmarks and architecturally significant neighborhoods in the Hickory area. A nonprofit organization, HLS works  through education and advocacy to ensure responsible historic preservation  as part of community growth. The Hickory Landmarks  Society is managed by an 18 member Board of Directors and a paid staff of three. It operates with the support of members, dedicated volunteers, and the charitable giving of individuals and corporations. HLS currently owns five  properties in Hickory. Headquarters for the Hickory Landmarks  Society is at Maple Grove, the stately 19th-century Italianate-style residence  of pioneers Adolphus and Mary Adelaide Shuford. Acquired in 1970 and rehabilitated in 1974, Maple Grove is operated as both a house museum and group rental facility. Historic Propst House (1882) was acquired in 1968, moved to a city park, and restored in 1971.  This Second French Empire style Victorian "gem" was the impetus for the founding of the Hickory Landmarks Society and is now a popular local attraction. It too is operated as a house museum. In 2001, HLS  "rediscovered", acquired the 1882 Propst "Cookhouse," relocated the  building adjacent to the main house, and restored it to its original  appearance. The Queen Anne style Corinth Church Parsonage (1895) was acquired in 1987, moved to a Ivey Arboretum city park, and restored in 1995-96. It is now leased to a local nonprofit organization. A fifth property, Houk's Chapel (1888), was acquired in November 2003 and is currently  undergoing restoration.  This framed German style structure is currently the oldest standing church building in Hickory. Through the (HLS) endangered properties program, numerous other historic landmarks were acquired and transferred  to private owners with protective covenants for preservation and rehabilitation according to state and  federal standards. These buildings were candidates  for destruction. Thanks to the Hickory Landmarks Society, they were  rescued and are now revered as part of Hickory's enduring historic  legacy. EDUCATION Education is a hallmark of Hickory Landmarks Society. You may be one of the  1,200 fourth-graders who visited Maple Grove each spring since 1994 for a two-day extravaganza called "Heritage Days at Maple Grove," when HLS celebrates the North Carolina Heritage Week. Third graders in the Catawba Valley visit the Propst House to learn about Christmas, Victorian-style each  November. The HLS research library, archives, historic site field trips, lectures, Book publication program, preservation workshops, historic home tours, and the latest in news affecting our built environment are among HLS' educational services. ADVOCACY As the leader  in local historic preservation, the Hickory Landmarks Society is  vocal on issues related to the built environment. The Espey-Little-Osborne house, the Fox-Ingold House and  Clement H. Geitner House are examples of HLS' success in negotiating  options to the wrecking ball. Technical assistance helped save the 1889  William Wilfong House. In 1997 HLS endorsed passage of landmark state legislation providing tax deductions for rehabilitation efforts in historic districts. At 30% and 20% for residential and  commercial properties, respectively, these tax deductions are the largest breaks of their kind in the United States. The 21st century brings new  preservation challenges as buildings age further, restoration costs  rise, population growth and urban sprawl in Hickory continues. The Hickory Landmarks Society believes that our communities can choose how they want to grow. Innovation and cooperation will enable our region to save and treasure its past in harmony. The Hickory Landmarks  Society · 542 2nd Street Northeast · P.O. Box 2341 Hickory, North Carolina 28603 ·  828-322-4731·FAX  828-327-9096 Or for more information E-mail [Home] [About Us] [Events/Calendar] [Donor Opportunities] [Historic Preservations In Hickory] [Houk's  Chapel] [Maple Grove Historical Museum] [Membership] [Merchandise] [J. Summie Propst House Museum] [Recommended  Links] [Volunteer & Employment Opportunities]