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Reuben Brown House Preservation Society in the News

Janice Young Awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine
Young longleaf award iconDuring a surprise presentation at the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society’s annual luncheon fundraiser Thursday, Janice Young was awarded the state’s highest honor, The Order of the Longleaf Pine. Merrie Jo Alcoke, director of the governor’s eastern office, presented the award. Young’s past accomplishments include serving as president of Reuben Brown House Preservation Society for the past five years, serving as executive vice president of the Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce for 12 years and winning the Duke Energy Lifetime Membership Award in January at the chamber’s annual banquet and mini business expo. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Madison Street Home Receives Historic Landmark Plaque
Chestnutt house iconA unique 91-year-old house on Madison Street in Whiteville is the latest home to be inducted into the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society (RBHPS) Historic Landmark Plaque Program. Constructed by Colonel N.B. and Mabel Chestnutt, the home features distinctive arched windows, wrought iron railings and a terra cotta tile roof. Patricia Woodard, who bought the home earlier this year, shared its history with a group of RBHPS members who gathered earlier this month for the plaque unveiling. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Historic Plaque Unveiled on Fair Bluff Home
Scott house plaque 24aug18 iconThe Reuben Brown House Preservation Society (RBHPS) unveiled its 12th Columbus County historic landmark plaque recently on the former home of Dr. Lawrence D. Floyd located on Main Street in Fair Bluff. Home owner Esther Scott, her stepson and former resident of the home, Martin Scott, and RBHPS President Janice Young participated in the July 28 ceremony. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Students, Adults Remember Poet Laureate’s Visit
Poet 12mar18 iconThe literary committee members of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society are wondering what, if anything, they can do in the future to top the successful visit by U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith last week. Smith spoke Tuesday evening to a large crowd at Southeastern Community College and Wednesday morning at Bowers Auditorium, finishing with an afternoon master class of selected high school students. The job of a poet laureate RBHPS members Donna Scott and Pat Ray questioned Smith, a Princeton University professor, about the process by which she was chosen and how she serves as the official poet of the United States. A committee studies the work of living poets, Smith explained, and recommends nominees to the Librarian of Congress, who makes the official appointment. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Visiting Poet Finds Eager Crowds, Shares ‘Where the Poems Come From’
Poet 8mar18 iconU.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith appeared Tuesday evening at Southeastern Community College to a packed auditorium. Smith is the author of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning collection Life on Mars. She is a professor at Princeton University. The poet’s visit to Columbus County was arranged by the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society as a special way of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the A.R. Ammons Poetry Contest. Numerous corporate and private sponsors contributed to the expenses of bringing Smith. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Poet Laureate coming to county March 6 and 7
PL 22feb18 iconThe Reuben Brown House Preservation Society, in collaboration with Southeastern Community College, will host an evening with Tracy K. Smith, U.S. Poet Laureate and 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner in poetry for "Life On Mars.” The event will be held Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at SCC, with a reception and book signing to follow. The public is invited and admission is free. The event is being held in recognition of the RBHPS poetry contest that Susan Wood started 25 years ago for students K-12 and college, with the assistance of Mary Wyche Mintz, Melba Wyche, Gene Claire Gault, Vernon Hall and Hilda Ray. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
A.R. Ammons’ Poetry Continues to Earn Recognition
Ammons 15jan18 iconMelba Pate Wyche recalls Archie Randolph Ammons, Columbus County’s most celebrated writer, this way: "They called him ‘a poet’s poet,’ but he was down to earth; he was anybody’s poet.” Wyche is one of the people who have worked hard to make Ammons "anybody’s poet” for generations of students and adults in the county. During her career as an English teacher at Hallsboro High School, she invited Ammons to come back to his home county and speak to high school and college students, and after her retirement she helped establish the annual spring poetry contest in his name. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Poet Laureate of the United States is Coming to Columbus County
Tracey smith iconNational Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry is coming to Columbus County, a cultural honor that has never been bestowed on the county before. The announcement was made by Janice Young, president of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society, which is sponsoring her visit. She said Pulitzer Prize winning Tracy K. Smith, who was appointed Poet Laureate in September 2017, is scheduled to be in Columbus County March 6-7. Smith is coming here at the invitation of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society, a bonus to the 25th anniversary of Reuben Brown House’s A.R. Ammons Poetry Contest. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Two Historic Homes Receive Markers Last Week
Plaque8 iconPlaque9 iconTwo Columbus County Historic Landmark plaques were unveiled Thursday, Oct. 26, by the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society. The historic plaque program, which began in 2015, strives to recognize historic sites in Columbus County that are at least 75 years old. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Historic Plaque Unveilings Thursday
Millpond iconTwo Columbus County Historic Landmark plaques will be unveiled Thursday, Oct. 26, by the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society. The historic plaque program that began in 2015 strives to recognize historic sites in Columbus County that are at least 75 years old. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Craftspeople to be at Reuben Brown House
Fundraiser lunch april 13 iconFloating sounds of dulcimer music and clicking needles will welcome visitors to the historic Reuben Brown House at the corner of West Columbus and Franklin streets on Friday, Nov. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. The interior will be decorated for the season by members of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society for the public to view as part of the 2017 Pecan Harvest Festival’s Home Tour. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Historical Marker Unveiled at St. Mark
Mark marker iconLast Sunday afternoon, a crowd of about 40 members and friends attended an unveiling ceremony at St. Mark AME Zion Church in Whiteville. A brand-new black and silver plaque from the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society designates St. Mark as one of Columbus County’s important historical structures. The building has stood at 114 W. Virgil St. since 1915, but the church was founded 50 years earlier, in 1865. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Through the Years at The News Reporter
News reporter bannerA history of The News Reporter and its impact on Columbus County will be presented at The News Reporterby editor Les High on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. The presentation will highlight how the people of Columbus have been receiving news on everything from everyday news to life-changing historic events since the newspaper’s inception in 1890. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Reuben Brown House Preservation Society Provides Lunch on the Lawn
Lunch image 13apr17 smallMembers of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society worked hard to carry out a fundraising meal Wednesday on the lawn of the Reuben Brown House on East Columbus Street in Whiteville. After selling about 250 tickets to the event, they prepared sandwiches, salads and fruit kebabs, which they served with brownies to both carryout and eat-in guests. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Brown House Lunch is April 12
Lunch april 10 image smallTablecloths will be fluttering and flowers will be blooming at the Inaugural Brown House Lunch on Wednesday, April 12. The fundraiser will benefit the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society’s many projects and events. It will take place on the grounds at the Reuben Brown House between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 128 Columbus Street in Whiteville. Take-out plates will also be available with parking for the plates in front of the RBH. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Fundraiser lunch April 12 for Reuben Brown House
Fundraiser lunch april 13 iconThe luncheon will take place on Wednesday, April 12 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Reuben Brown House, 128 E. Columbus St. , Whiteville. . (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
City Hall Can be Saved, Experts Say
City hall 28jul16 iconStanding before a packed gallery of Whitley Building supporters at Whiteville City Council Tuesday, Jeff Adolphson of the State Historic Preservation Office said Whiteville’s City Hall can and should be saved. "It’s a beautiful building and certainly worth preserving,” Adolphson said. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Winners of the 2016 A.R. Ammons Poetry Contest
Ammons 2016 iconThe winners of the 2015 A.R. Ammons Poetry Contest were announced during ceremonies at Vineland Station on April 24, 2016. The winners, honorable mentions and their poems are published here (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Speakers Urge Preservation, Prudence on City Hall Question
Speakers image iconWhiteville City Hall was on the minds of two speakers at the City Council meeting Tuesday, and they had different agendas. Janice Young of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society urged the board to do everything possible to save the 1938 building, while Justin Smith suggested the board "consider that rebuilding on the site may be a more prudent option.” (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Brown House Group to Speak to Council Tuesday
Speakers image iconMembers of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society will speak to the Whiteville City Council Tuesday in hopes of saving the Whitley municipal building. Janice Young of the Brown House group is scheduled to be on the agenda to address the council and offer the nonprofit’s help in "making a tough decision. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Former Whiteville Post Office Building Played Role in Town’s Recovery from Great Depression
Post office image iconWhiteville’s City hall, also known as the Whitley Building, was one of dozens of similar post offices built to boost the economy in the Depression. Janice Young of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society said the City Hall wasn’t unique in its Colonial style architecture. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Group Forms to Help Preserve City Hall
City hall image iconMany people try to fight City Hall, but some Whiteville residents are fighting for the venerable structure. The Whitley Municipal Building, a former U.S. Post Office, was closed last year due to a pervasive mold problem. Officials have fought the problem for years, closing the downstairs office suite and maintaining pumps in the basement to remove excess moisture. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
RBHPS Speaker Will Read from Book of Modern Latin Poetry
Latin poetry iconWilliam Cooper will present a program for the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society (RBHPS) Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. at the Reuben Brown House in Whiteville. This is a part of the literary series chaired by Pat Ray and Janice Simms. Cooper will read excerpts from his recent book, Poematia Moderna: Modern Latin Poetry, which includes English translations of poems published in the 20th century and a few from the present century. The poems included in this anthology were written by 70 contemporary poets from 17 nations. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Thompson House Gets Historical Plaque
Thompson house image iconThe Reuben Brown House Preservation Society (RBHPS) unveiled its fifth historical plaque Tuesday at the home of John and Sara Thompson on North Madison Street. RBHPS plaque committee chair Jim Brooks presided over the ceremony and Mayor Terry Mann unveiled the plaque as other RBHPS members and people in the community watched. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Poet Laureate Promotes State’s Arts and History
Poet image 1oct15 iconNorth Carolina’s official ambassador of the written word, Shelby Stephenson, read and discussed his poetry, Sept. 27, at the Columbus County Arts Council in downtown Whiteville. The Reuben Brown House Preservation Society sponsored the free event and afterward served a dinner cooked by members. Forty-three people attended. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
State’s Poet Laureate Coming this Weekend
Poet image 21sep15 iconNorth Carolina Poet Laureate Shelby Stephenson of Benson will be in Columbus County for two programs this weekend. Stephenson, described as the state’s ambassador for poetry and literature even before his appointment as poet laureate, will kick off the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society’s fall season. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
State’s Poet Laureate is Coming to Columbus
Poet 31aug15 iconColumbus County will welcome a state celebrity in September, one whose forerunners have never visited here that anyone can remember. North Carolina’s poet laureate, Dr. Shelby Stephenson, will visit here for two gatherings. These events are planned by the Reuben Brown House Preservative Society (RBHPS) in collaboration with Columbus County Arts Council and Lake Waccamaw Book Club. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Historical Plaque Program Growing; Two More Unveiled
Plpaque2 iconThe Reuben Brown House Preservation Society’s plaque program seems to be taking root, with two historical buildings receiving plaques a few days ago. Plaques were unveiled July 2 by Mayor Terry Mann at The R.H. Burns Law Office on Pinckney Street and The Bank of Whiteville Building on the southeast corner of Courthouse Square. A group of Reuben Brown House Preservation Society (RBHPS) members and guests were in attendance. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Top Poems from the A.R. Ammons Contest
Ammons 2015 iconThe winners of the 2015 A.R. Ammons Poetry Contest were announced during ceremonies at Vineland Station on April 26. The winners, honorable mentions and their poems are published here. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Susan Wood Provides Tour of Reuben Brown House
Woods iconSusan Wood, in Colonial garb, tells Cub Scouts Cayden Russell and Holland Pridgen about life in the mid-1800s while they were visiting the Reuben Brown House. The Scouts are from Pack 512’s Den 1. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Crowd Learns about Historic Courthouse Renovation to Begin Late Summer
Courthouse 30mar15 icon"The iconic parts of this building must remain ‘historic.’ We’re not going back to 1914-15. We want to maintain the bones of this courthouse,” architect Paul Bonsall told a crowd of more than 100 Saturday morning as he presented a slide show of changes to be made during the renovation of this county’s 100-year-old courthouse. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Tour the Old Courthouse Saturday -- Plaque Program Underway
Courthouse 23mar15 iconA tour of the 100-year-old Columbus County Courthouse has already been planned for Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. until noon. Paul Bonsall, the architect whose firm, Ware Bonsall Architects of Charlotte has been procured to oversee the renovation of the old courthouse will be present. He will discuss the history of the courthouse and efforts to create a modern facility, yet preserve the sanctity of the courthouse’s heritage. The public is invited to take the tour, which will begin at the front of the building on Madison Street. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)
Landmark Plaque #1
RBH plaque iconCounty Commission Chairman Trent Burroughs unveils Landmark Plaque #1 at the Reuben Brown House, commencing a plaque program to distinguish historical homes and buildings throughout Columbus County. After the unveiling, Reuben Brown House Preservation Society members and guests enjoyed a celebration social in the historical house decorated with floral arrangements with roaring fires in the fireplaces to counter the sub-freezing temperatures outside. (GET THE DETAILS HERE)

 
The Reuben Brown House Preservation Society is an IRS Code 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions to the RBHPS are fully tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.

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