Clara and the late Holley Mack Bell of Windsor were chosen for the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit based on their many contributions to historic preservation efforts statewide, including their work at Hope Plantation in Bertie County.

After Mack's distinguished career with the U.S. Information Agency where he served in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, Clara and Holley Mack Bell returned home to Windsor in Bertie County, where they worked tirelessly for preservation throughout the region. A large part of their volunteer efforts were spent at Hope Plantation in Bertie County, the 1803 home of Governor David Stone. There, Clara served as president of the Historic Hope Foundation and as chairman of the Friends of Hope. Mack served as a long time member of the Friends of Hope and chairman of the Communications Committee.

Sadly, Mack passed away earlier this year, yet his and Clara's work and contributions continue to be seen and felt throughout the area. They were instrumental in preserving countless historic buildings and volumes of community history. Together the Bells supported the survey and preservation of the historic Rosenwald School in Windsor, now used as a community center. Their work also has led to economic growth in the area through the revitalization of historic commercial and residential buildings and through tourism development.

The couple's many contributions have made an impact not only in Bertie County but also statewide, as evidenced by their many service positions and awards. The Bells have served on the Board of Advisors of Preservation North Carolina. They were also members of the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association and were honored with the association's 2004 Christopher Crittenden Memorial Award, which recognizes significant contributions to the preservation of North Carolina. Mack was appointed by Governor Hunt to the North Carolina Cultural Task Force and to the Historic Murfreesboro Commission. They both were active members of the North Carolina Art Society, the Museum of the Albemarle, and various committees in the North Caroliniana Society and the Carolina Charter Corporation.

Clara and Mack Bell gave tirelessly to the field of preservation and have been true ambassadors for history and preservation in North Carolina. Preservation North Carolina is proud to honor their work with a 2008 Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit.