Historic Wall House Museum

One of the finest examples of late Victorian architecture in Davidson County is the George W. Hall home located in Wallburg. The house has been restored to its 1896 grandeur and will be open to the public later this summer.

Earlier this spring, Michelle De Lapp, a friend from Lexington, told me about the house and invited me to come down to see it. “The house is gorgeous and a wonderful treasure for Wallburg and Davidson County,” she said. Michelle became involved with the project when she was hired to furnish the house with period furniture. Her background in interior design along with her love of history made an excellent match. “This has been an exciting venture and many people deserve credit for bringing it together.” As we sat on the front porch of the house on a sunny afternoon she shared the history of the house and the restoration.

“The Wallburg Town Council wanted to preserve the house because of its significant architecture and historic connection to the town. The plan was that it would be a house museum with multi use including a research library. It has taken three years to fully restore and furnish the house and what a beauty she is.”

“Zane Hedgecock is the one who spearheaded the project. He is on the Wallburg Town Council and is Chief of Staff for the NC Dept. of Agriculture under Commissioner Steve Troxler. Zane’s from a farming family who has been in Wallburg for generations and has a deep love of the land and his heritage. He has donated his collection of history objects, maps, mementos, Zane Hedgecock books and documents he has been gathering for years. His donation and those of others will make our library a place for local and family research.

Hedgecock and Cindy Johnson were appointed by the Town to oversee transformation of the property into a house museum with multi purpose use. Judy Townsend and Chuck Portero have both served with the interior design and set up. In addition, the Friends of the G W Wall House Museum have given support with gardening, special events, design and decorations, technology and marketing. Michelle says “it has been a team effort of very talented people that has brought us to near completion and has been a pleasure to work with them. ”The beginning of Wallburg starts with the Wahl (Wall) family who were German immigrants and who settled in the area in the mid 1800s. Samuel Wahl’s was a maker of wagons and carriages. It was from him this crossroads community became known at Wallburg.

By the 1880s, sons George and Charles had founded a lumber company suppling lumber to furniture manufactures in High Point, Lexington and Thomasville. From this their wealth was amassed.

In 1888, George Washington Wall married Hattie Charles. Eight years later they were living in the largest and grandest house in town where they raised ten children.

The Eastlake Style is reflected in the architecture of the house and its furnishings. For months Michelle has been combing antique shops and the internet searching for Eastlake Style furniture for the house, the style that was in vogue at

the turn of the century. Furnishings were needed for the parlor, dining room, office, kitchen and sunporch. Features include a center hall plan, geometric motif newel post and balusters, thick chamfered newel, rondel corner block door and window casings, stained glass windows, corner fireplaces in all downstairs rooms, a sunroom and a large wrap around porch. The full floor length windows usher in plenty of natural light giving the interior an airy setting. One of the fine details that sets this house apart is the intricate walnut turned spool balusters. It is said that Hattie Wall designed the carvings for the newel post and that her son, Turner, carved them.

The soft colors of the walls are appealing. One of my favorite rooms is the sunroom complete with wicker chairs and sofa, reminding me of my grandmothers porch. The clocks in the house are fascinating. Of special interest is the one I call the George Washington banjo clock with a picture of Mount Vernon. The floors are bright and shiny, the stair balusters are intricate. I love the front door and the push button light switches and the oak wall telephone. Oh, I didn’t mention the big oak roll top desk lined with cubbyholes.

This house is going to be a wonderful gathering place for those who love history and beautiful furnishings as well as those who wish to explore the history and research room. A great place for a merry party or wedding. I can’t wait for a Christmas tour.

To find out more about the Historic Wall House visit www.townofwallburg.com

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