Recipients hold plaques awarded to three historic mid-1910s properties. Image Courtesy of The Village Heritage Foundation.

Each year, the Village Heritage Foundation recognizes buildings that even to this day conjure the lives of early Pinehurst’s most colorful characters.

The list of homes, businesses and institutions bearing Pinehurst Historic plaques grew to 35 last Wednesday with the addition of Idlewilde Cottage, Little Hovse and While-a-way Cottage.

The late Joyce Franke started the Village Heritage Foundation in 1993 with the principal goal of restoring the Fair Barn in Pinehurst. That’s where the foundation has presented the historic plaques since the inception of the plaque program in 2016.

The foundation’s Historic Plaque Committee considers architectural integrity in evaluating properties nominated for the awards, as well as the role the building and its inhabitants have played in Pinehurst’s evolution since 1895.

“The mission of the Village Heritage Foundation is really all about restoring and maintaining the special character of the village of Pinehurst,” said Beth Franke Stevens, president of the Village Heritage Foundation.

“There are so many wonderful historic properties here that really help to make the village of Pinehurst and give it that special ambiance that most of us probably came here for. So the purpose of this program is really to celebrate those properties and to try and keep some of the interesting stories and history behind the properties alive.”

This year’s recipients:

Idlewilde Cottage (1915)

 

Idlewilde Cottage was built in 1915 by Roswell E. “Bert” Whicker and his wife, claiming its place as one of the first 100 structures in Pinehurst. The small home was sold in 1918 as Idlewilde Cottage and became the permanent winter quarters for a Pinhurst seasonal worker and his family.

Recipients hold plaque awarded to Idlewilde Cottage. Image Courtesy of The Village Heritage Foundation.

Little Hovse (1915) 

Little Hovse was built in 1915 by Mr. James H. Andrews, an executive of the Quaker Oats Co. The Colonial

Revival home was one of the earliest on Carolina Vista. In addition to the main house, there was a small log cabin, built from pines on the property. In 1944, the home suffered a fire and was rebuilt in 1946.

Recipients hold plaque awarded to Little Hovse. Image Courtesy of The Village Heritage Foundation.

While-a-way Cottage (1917)

The original While-a-way Cottage was built in 1917 by a financier and philanthropist named Simeon

Brooks Chapin. After making his fortune on Wall Street, he and his family spent the rest of their lives in Pinehurst. Chapin made extensive contributions to the community and was also one of the original developers of Myrtle Beach. Though he died in Pinehurst in 1945, his cottage remained in his family until 1985.
Recipients hold plaque awarded to While-a-way Cottage. Image Courtesy of The Village Heritage Foundation.

Contact Elena Marsh at (910) 693-2484 or elena@thepilot.com