North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office

NORTH CAROLINA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE ASSISTANCE TO CASWELL COUNTY

CASWELL COUNTY
Updated 12/31/99

ARCHAEOLOGY

The Union Tavern (also known as the Yellow Tavern and the Thomas Day House) was the subject of an archaeological project in 1994 by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, the local Thomas Day House/Union Tavern Restoration Association, and Coastal Carolina Research. A federal grant was given for the study of archaeological resources associated with free black cabinetmaker Thomas Day's use of the house. Almost 300 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites have been identified across the county.

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY

Caswell County was the subject of North Carolina's first county-wide architectural survey, conducted by the Historic Preservation Office with a matching grant from the National Park Service.

GRANTS

Federal historic preservation grants have totaled $31,250 since 1978. Projects receiving federal grants include the Caswell County Courthouse and Union Tavern (the Thomas Day House). State grants total $234,000 since 1981 for the Caswell County Courthouse, Caswell County Jail, Poteat's Old School, and Union Tavern. In 2000, Union Tavern received a $250,000 grant from the Save America's Treasures program to continue the restoration of the National Historic Landmark property.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

The first Caswell County property to be listed in the National Register was the Milton State Bank in April 1973. Since then two historic districts, Yanceyville and Milton, and fifteen individual properties have been entered for a total of eighteen National Register listings in the county. Union Tavern in Milton has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

LOCAL PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS

The Historic Preservation Office assisted in the establishment of the Milton Historic Preservation Commission in 1997 and consulted on the local designation of the Milton Historic District in 1998.

PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS

Three income-producing tax credit projects have been completed in Caswell County at a total construction investment of $371,000: the Thomas Store and Woodside, both in Milton; and Clarendon Hall in Yanceyville. One residential renovation project is underway to utilize the new state tax credit for non-income-producing historic structures. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all tax credit projects.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS

The Historic Preservation Office assisted the Caswell County Historical Association, Inc. in publishing the findings of the architectural survey in An Inventory of Historic Architecture, Caswell County, North Carolina in 1979.

RESTORATION

Technical assistance has been given for the restoration of numerous properties in Caswell County, including projects supported by federal or state grants such as the Caswell County Courthouse, Union Tavern (a National Historic Landmark), and the Milton Main Street Store, as well as for smaller projects. Technical assistance has been given for the Moore-Gwyn House, the Sally Martin House, and Clarendon Hall at the request of their owners.

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