Historical group to honor local history preservationist

A man credited with single-handedly spearheading the move to preserve Harmony Hall will be honored Sunday afternoon by receiving an award bearing his own name.

Reginald L. Stroud will be the first recipient of the Reginald L. Stroud Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented by the Lenoir County Historical Association. He will receive the award during a ceremony and community garden party from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, at Harmony Hall. The community is invited to attend.

The historical group will present the flame-shaped, crystal achievement award annually to the member who has contributed the most to preserving local history.

"The award is for Reginald's long-term leadership and his association with the restoration and preservation, and ongoing work of Harmony Hall and the Lenoir County Historical Association," historical association president-elect Adrian King said. "Of everybody in the community, Reginald has probably been the single most important person to get that restoration program underway, beginning in the mid-'70s and '80s -- he and Bill Roland."

Harmony Hall is said to be the only house of historical significance remaining in Kinston. Jesse Cobb and his wife Elizabeth Heritage Cobb, built the house in 1772. It has been home to prominent historical figures of Lenoir County ever since. Harmony Hall housed the offices of James Glasgow, secretary of state until 1781. The state Board of War and other official meetings were held in the house.

During the Revolutionary War years, Richard Caswell, North Carolina's first governor after the nation gained its independence from England, owned Harmony Hall.

The house was also the site of a Civil War hospital, church annex, public library, and Womens Club building. Harmony Hall was remodeled about 1790, and again in 1835. The most recent restoration was completed in 1984, under Stroud's leadership.

The Farmer and the Chef, a new restaurant scheduled to open soon downtown, will provide refreshments.

The late Cora Harper also will be recognized for her work in preparing the period garden near the one-room schoolhouse at the back of Harmony Hall.