You Know You Want to See Inside
The two homes on this year's OPS Holiday Historic Homes Tour could not be any more different. First, their commonalities: both are contributing structures to Ocracoke's National Historic District, both are located on Silver Lake and boast amazing views of the harbor, and they were built just 14 years apart in a simpler time.
That's where the similarities end. "Blue Harbor" cottage, owned by Tammy and Phil Perdue of Greenville, NC, was built c. 1913 and renovated and updated last year for the rental market. It has all the modern amenities from air conditioning and heat to multiple bathrooms and wi-fi and even its own swimming pool!
Blue Harbor's original owners were Leonard and Aretta Williams, though many people on Ocracoke remember it as "Martha Lynn's house" referring to the woman who bought it in 1989 and lived there until her passing in 2011. Before that, it was owned by Leonard and Aretta's daughter, Helena Williams Willis, who is buried in the back yard. Helena ran it as the Harbor View Inn boarding house, letting out the bedrooms. The house still welcomes island visitors today – Blue Harbor is available to rent through Ocracoke Island Realty.
The Barksdale cottage just two doors down is a step back in time. Built after the hurricane of 1899 for Captain William Charles Thomas, the house has stood almost untouched as Ocracoke has grown and changed around it. Although modern amenities include electricity and cold running water (but not heat or air conditioning), most of the home's architectural features appear to be original. (An original screened porch was destroyed in the '44 storm and never rebuilt.) Capt. Williams died in 1930, and his widow, Eliza Thomas, lived in the house until her death in 1946.
In 1947, Susan Barksdale, an art professor at Women's College in Greensboro, bought the house and started spending summers there, welcoming her extended family. She died in 2014, and left her property to her nieces and nephews, who still visit every summer. According to neighbor and on-island caretaker Dave Frum, Susan never wanted to change anything about the house and appreciated its the rustic charm, and her family feels the same. The Historic Homes Tour offers a rare glimpse inside this sentinel on Silver Lake.
Join Ocracoke Preservation Society on Saturday, December 3rd from 3–5pm to see inside these two island homes that span the history of Ocracoke cottages. This is a festive event complete with finger food and beverages. Join us for a cup of good cheer and a peek into the past! Donation jars will be on site so you can contribute to the Historic Preservation Projects Fund to keep this kind of restoration work going!
Parking for the event is available at Corkey's Store and the Castle B & B (please use the big parking lot on the left side of the Castle). Questions? Call 252-928-7375
The fun doesn't end with the Homes Tour! On Tuesday, December 6th, the OPS Museum will host their annual Wassail Party from 4–6pm. Live holiday music, oodles of cookies, and more good cheer! They'll also draw the winning quilt raffle ticket that night, so it's not too late to buy yours!
The OPS Museum and Gift Shop will close for the season after the Wassail Party. Until then, hours are Monday-Friday 11 – 4, and Saturday 11 – 3.
