Mike Parker: Harmony Hall schedules ‘Christmas Open House’ this Sunday
History aficionados will have an opportunity to visit the oldest structure in Kinston from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, when Historic Harmony Hall opens its treasures to interested members of the public.
Activities that day will include self-guided tours, refreshments, a raffle drawing, and a baked goods sale. Some of the 18 raffle prizes include gift certificates from Reynolds Seafood and Vick’s Cleaners, Christmas wreathes, admission for two to ENC Renn Faire, a family of four pack of admission and ride bands for the Lenoir County Fair – to name but a few.
Harmony Hall, also known as the Peebles House, is a historic building located at 109 East King Street in Kinston. The 18th-century house was owned by North Carolina’s first elected governor, Richard Caswell.
The building has been expanded and renovated throughout its history, transitioning from the Georgian and Federal styles to Greek Revival architecture. One of the prominent features of the house is the two-story porch on the facade.
Harmony Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and serves as a house museum operated by the Lenoir County Historical Association. The house was built on land Elizabeth Herritage inherited from her father, William Herritage. William had convinced the North Carolina Colonial Assembly to create the new town of Kingston, named after King George III.
In 1784, after the Revolutionary War, the town dropped the “g” and became “Kinston.” The only streets in Kinston that still reflect British monarchy are Queen Street and King Street.
Elizabeth and her husband, Captain Jesse Cobb, began building their home in 1772 when they were married. By 1776, construction of the house was complete. That same year, Cobb left to fight in the Battle of Moore’s Creek near Wilmington. By the time Cobb returned home, Elizabeth had given birth to their son, John. Later that year Cobb left again to fight in the Revolutionary War, serving in the Continental Army with General George Washington during the New York and New Jersey campaign. He spent the winter at Valley Forge.
During the war, the seat of North Carolina’s government in New Bern was vulnerable to attacks by the British Navy. To put the state government out of reach of the Royal Navy, officials moved the state government offices further inland to Kinston. Caswell lived at his nearby estate, Newington, and Harmony Hall became the residence of James Glasgow, North Carolina’s first Secretary of State. The house served as the de facto state capital during the war from 1777 to 1781. According to some historians, many of the state records were stored in the home, and the State Board of War and other government groups met there.
On August 26, 1971, Harmony Hall was added to the National Registry of Historic Places. The historical furnishings of Harmony Hall were donated to the Lenoir County Historical Association around 1977, and a restoration project began. The LCHA raised more than $170,000 by 1981. The North Carolina General Assembly approved additional funding of $50,000 toward restoration efforts. Restoration of the building was completed in 1985.
Since then, the challenge has been maintaining and improving Harmony Hall. An 18th century structure requires much research, time, and money. The Lenoir County Historical Association needs the support of those who want to preserve our history. You can learn more by visiting Harmony Hall for the “Christmas Open House.”
Let’s all do our part in keeping our collective history alive and vital.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com
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