The Ocracoke Preservation Society historic home tour will take a different approach this year as it offers two homes for viewing from 3 to 5 p.m. today.
This will be an open house, said OPS Administrator Amy Howard, and because of that there is no charge to tour these homes Down Point that have been extensively renovated. OPS will have donation jars in each so participants can show their support to help more restoration projects take place.
The houses will have a maroon banner outside saying “Ocracoke Preservation Society Historic District Tour.” Luminarias will light the way to the houses, and parking is available at Corkey’s Store and the Assembly of God Church.
The first house is the Felig House, 107 Live Oak Rd. (The first right turn off Lighthouse Road past the lighthouse). Owned by Trudy and Wayne Clark, who received the OPS award in November for historic home renovation.
Built in the 1950s, this was one of the last houses built before the road to Hatteras was completed. The Clarks hired Tom Pahl and his Landmark Building and Design crew to implement their vision of the restoration.
The second house–the Emma and Simon O’Neal house, 458 Lighthouse Rd.—is across from the Assembly of God Church.
Built around 1900, it also recently underwent a total renovation.
According to OPS records, the house was built for fisherman Simon O’Neal (1881-1937) near the time of his marriage to Emma Styron, daughter of Elijah Styron Sr.
In a state of near collapse, OPS purchased the house and resold it to Will Purvis and Jamie McGaskill with the understanding that it would be historically restored.
The Society’s annual Wassail Party and the lighting of the community Christmas tree will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8. The winning raffle ticket for the handmade quilt by the Ocracoke Needle and Thread Club also will be drawn that night.
For more information about the OPS, click here.
