STONEHOUSES FINALREPORT 2024
INTRODUCTION
After 16 months, and a lot of hard work and attention, the Dix Park Stone Houses and Site are COMPLETE! This double feature report will cover the final quarter of project progress as well as the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the Stone Houses in May 2024. This report will have lots of photos as there is much to report, and visuals tell the best story.
RECOGNITION&THANKS
Dix Park Conservancy was able to renovate the Stone Houses thanks to a $3MM gift from the State Employees’ Credit Union and a $2MM gift from the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation. Their contribution both preserves a significant part of the park’s history and creates a welcoming entrance to the park, better accessibility and amenities for visitors, and spaces for community use, park interpretation and education.
The Stone Houses project was a perfect fit for the State Employees’ Credit Union. For over a century, the State of North Carolina employed countless physicians, nurses, therapists, and support staff throughout the Dorothea Dix Hospital campus to serve the mental health needs of its patients. Many hospital staff lived on the campus, including in the Superintendent’s, Physician’s, and Gatekeeper’s Houses. With their generous support, State Employees’ Credit Union honors the former hospital employees and all state employees who have served the people of North Carolina.
SITEWORK
Mostoftheworkinthelastquarteroftheprojectfocusedonthemajorsiteelementsyetto beinstalled.Thisincludedthevastmajorityofhardscape,retainingwalls,stonework,the RestroomAmenityPlaza,theOutdoorClassroom,andtheprimarysitepathwinding throughout.
Sitework:Concretepaths,stairs,footers&foundations,andwallsmakeupthe fullsitepackagebeforelandscaping.
A Stairs leading down into the outdoor classroomarea
B Foundationsbeingpouredfortheseatwall, agreatplacetohearalectureorstartatour
C.Finalgradingaroundthe in-progressseatwall.Youcanget asenseoftheOutdoorClassroom comingintoform.
D.Withtheconcretelaid,thissmallplazawillbeone ofthemostusedspacesinthisareaofthepark.
SITEWORK
Planting:Aftergradingandhardscapes,thesitecomesalivewithplantings.Sarah Reeves,avolunteerandprofessionalhorticulturalistledtheplantingdesignandwas anincredibleresourcetothisproject!
A Thefirstplantsarriveonsite!
B Thefirsttreeisintheground!Oneofmanythat willprovideshadeforyearstocome
SiteEvolution:Thebestwaytoviewthesheerprogressofthesiteisfromabove. Herearethelastfourmonthsofconstruction:noticesmalladditionsovertimethat adduptoaninviting,cohesive,andimmersiveexperience.
A.Februaryaerial
B.Marchaerial
C.Aprilaerial
D.Mayaerial
EXTERIORWORKSUMMARY
SupersDeckandBathroomConstruction:Thefinalbuildingelementwasthe restroomadditiontotheSuperintendentsHouse.ThisisthefirstpublicrestroomatDix Park,integratedelegantlyintothegradeandcreatinganewrestroomamenityplaza betweenthetwoupperhouses.
ThenewlypoureddeckoffthefirstflooroftheSuperintendentsHouse Itistheperfectplacetohostan eventandalsodisplaysoneofthebestviewsofdowntownRaleigh.
EXTERIORWORKSUMMARY
Physician’sBackDeck:Thenewbackporchroofoverthepantry,firstfloorbathroom, andbackdeckatthePhysiciansHouse.
ExteriorDetails& TouchUp:Andfinally, trim,paint,andstone detailworkwasdone.
INTERIORWORKSUMMARY
Detailsthatmaketheinteriorspaces“pop”takeplaceinthefinalmonthsofconstruction.
FinalPaint,FixturesandFinishes:Withanodtoboththeparksettingandtheoriginal historicbuildingperiod,finishselectionsbringlifeandexcitementtotheofficeand sharedspaces.
B Thedetailwe’veheardthe mostabouthasbeenwallpaper! Thisdog-focusedpatterncanbe foundintheGatekeepersVisitor’s Center,butallbathroomsinthe housesreceivedafun, park-focuseddesign.
A.Lightsarehunginthekitchenofthe Superintendent'sHouse.Thisareawillbeusedas bothastaffkitchenandapreparea/backofhouse forrentalsandevents.
PublicRestroomConstruction&Finishes:Durableandsimpledetailingledthe bathroominteriorwork.
Wallsandplumbingareinstalled.
FlooringRestoration:Theoriginalfloorshavebeenpatchedandrefinished, bringingwarmthtoallthreehouses.
PARTII:RIBBONCUTTING
RibbonCuttingOverview:OnMay31,wecelebratedthecompletionoftheStoneHouses withSECU,theSECUFoundation,DixParkConservancyleadersanddonors,andcity leadership.Itwasamissionmomentforallinvolved!WeheardremarksfromSECU FoundationBoardChairChrisAyers,DixParkLegacyCommitteememberYvonne Sanders,andDPCBoardChairBillRoss.
RIBBONCUTTING
RIBBONCUTTING
RIBBONCUTTING
RIBBONCUTTING
RIBBONCUTTING
Preparedby: NickSmith ChiefofStaff