Comments Off on The Town of Matthews green scene is growing. Historic R.F. Outen Pottery is becoming a park!
This video, shot on 8mm film for WBTV in the 1960s, shows Rufus Franklin Outen.
Rufus Franklin Outen was born into a family of potters so it was no surprise when he opened R.F. Outen Pottery around 1950 as a small business. He specialized in stoneware churns. It’s claimed that he could turn 100 pieces a day, earning him the nickname “Churn Turner.”
The R. F. Outen Pottery is a rare surviving example of a workshop and pottery that produced utilitarian earthenware and stoneware for local use from local clays. Today those handmade, everyday vessels are quite valuable and highly collectible!
Comments Off on Join the HLC’s Adventure Club for Cemetery Preservation!
October 12, 2022
The Historic Landmarks Commission’s Adventure Club invites you to start your Halloween weekend with a fun, educational, and meaningful restoration project on Oct. 29. We need volunteers, and what could be better than spending an Autumn morning in the beautiful hallowed grounds of the Historic Steele Creek Cemetery? The cemetery contains headstones dating from 1763 and is the site of some of the most important funerary art in NC!
But recently air pollution has been hastening the stones’ deterioration. Luckily, cleaning the headstones with a mild biodegradable, pH neutral solution can protect them effectively for years. And that’s what we will be doing! Did we mention that we need volunteers? No experience is necessary!
Details
Steele Creek Cemetery Headstone Preservation
Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9-11am
Steele Creek Cemetery, 7311 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte (beside the former Steele Creek Presbyterian Church)
Prepare to get dirty! Suggestions: wear old clothing and closed toe shoes.
We will supply all the needed tools and supplies. But to do that, we need to know how many people are coming.
Comments Off on Celebrate Earth Day 2022 with the HLC’s Adventure Club!
April 13, 2022
The Historic Landmarks Commission’s Adventure Club is heading to Reedy Creek Nature Preserve to explore the Robinson Rock House Ruin and we want you to join us! While the exact date of construction is unknown, this rock house was likely built between 1780 and 1810.
Comments Off on The Stough-Cornelius/Potts Barber Shop Building Featured in Lake Norman Currents Magazine
January 5, 2022
Check out this month’s issue of Lake Norman Currents Magazine – the ca. 1923 Stough-Cornelius/Potts Barber Shop Building is featured! The Historic Landmarks Commission’s very own Stewart Gray describes the importance of the building and how local landmark designation can help protect the property.
Comments Off on Wing Haven’s Historic Holiday Open House
December 10, 2021
Is strolling through gardens what you would consider a good time? Are historic houses your thing? Are you still looking for something to do this weekend? Then you’re in luck! Wing Haven is holding their Historic Holiday Open House this Sunday, December 12. You’ll have the chance to explore Wing Haven’s historic Eddie and Elizabeth Clarkson House, a local designated landmark since 2008, as well as the Elizabeth Lawrence House, designated since 2005.
