Background and Mission of the EHC
The Edenton Historical Commission is not your traditional not-for-profit group. We were created by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1961 and are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization. In other words, we were created by the state but are not a state agency and donations to the Commission are tax deductible for the donor’s income tax purposes (follow the advice of your tax advisor).
We do not receive routine funding from state or federal governments. The Town of Edenton and Chowan County have contributed to our work, which is greatly appreciated. Well over 95% of our funding comes from the people just like you: people interested in preservation of historical public buildings and more importantly, learning about the stories of the important leaders that guided the development and growth of the colony, the state and the nation.
The Commission has 33 members. The Governor appoints 22 commissioners, the Speaker of the House appoints four, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate appoints four and three positions are filled, ex officio.
It is a common misconception that the Edenton Historical Commission governs the rules and regulations regarding private residences and other privately-owned properties in the Edenton Historic District. These regulations are actually governed by the Town of Edenton’s Historic Preservation Commission. If you have any questions or concerns for the Historic Preservation Commission, please contact the Town of Edenton at 252-482-2155.
Annual Report and 990 & 990T: Available upon request.
Keep up with us by visiting the Barker House on Facebook and following @barkerhouseedenton on Instagram.
Mission:
The North Carolina General Assembly’s 1961 Act creating the Edenton Historical Commission reads, in part: “to effect and encourage preservation, restoration, and appropriate presentation of the Town of Edenton and Chowan County, as a historic, educational and aesthetic place, to the benefit of the citizens of the place and state and of visitors” (G.S. 143B-95)
Commission Meetings:
Commission By-Laws: Available Upon Request
Staff:
Mr. Robert Leath, Executive Director
Mrs. Patti Mordecai, Director of Marketing, Development & Community Events
Ms. Trish Gregory Rand, Director of Retail & Visitor Engagement
Mrs. Doris Larsh, Bookkeeper
Mrs. Marsha Tobias, Front Desk Manager & Events Coordinator
Mrs. Bonnie Pierce, Trolley & Volunteer Coordinator
Mrs. Catherine Jackson, Trolley Docent
Mrs. Connie Casey, Front Desk Associate
Mr. Madison Phillips, Maintenance Coordinator
Commissioners:
Mrs. Annette Wood, Chairman
Mrs. Susan Nolton, Vice Chairman
Mrs. Anne Ellis, Secretary
Mr. Andrew Bergeron, Treasurer
Hon. C. Christopher Bean
Dr. Emma Bonner
Mr. Norman Brinkley, Jr.
Mr. William Chesson
Mr. Jerome F. Climer
Mr. Miles B. Coxe
Mr. Thomas Credle
Mrs. Marshall Creighton
Mrs. Elizabeth Culpepper
Mr. Samuel B. Dixon
Mr. Earl Ijames
Mrs. Sally Francis Kehayes
Mr. John Morehead
Hon. Thomas Newbern
Mrs. Ann Perry
Mrs. Jaquelin Perry
Mrs. Sadie Riddick
Mrs. Elizabeth Scott
Dr. Benjamin Speller, Jr.
Mrs. Clara Stage
Mr. Dawson Tyler
Mrs. Ginny Gardner Vinson
Mrs. Gloria Wadsworth
Mr. Earl Willis
Mr. T. Benbury H. Wood, Jr.
Ex Officio
Dr. Darin Waters
Hon. W. Hackney High
Hon. Bob Kirby