Moonlight Communications, of Fayetteville, was presented with the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit for the documentary "After the Dust Settles," which shows the negative impact on a community when a historic home is demolished.
Each year, Preservation North Carolina presents the Gertrude S. Carraway Awards of Merit to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting historic preservation. The awards have been given since 1975 and are named for the late Dr. Gertrude Carraway of New Bern, a leader in the successful effort to reconstruct the state's colonial capitol, Tryon Palace, in New Bern.
Moonlight Communication's documentary film After the Dust Settles is a remarkable portrayal of the permanent and damaging effects caused by the escalating trend of teardowns across America. The Fayetteville-based company founded by Jan Johnson and Pat Wright has been effective in communicating to the public both the benefits and challenges of preservation.
After the Dust Settles focuses on the fate of one teardown in Fayetteville. The Kistler-Hollstein House was built in 1958 and had been considered one of the best examples of modern architecture in Fayetteville. After living in the home for nearly half a century, the owner, in her 80s, decided to downsize. But first she needed to sell the house and 2.1 acres. The owner's initial attempts to sell the property included a stipulation that the house remain on site, but she found no buyers. Unfortunately the owner didn't realize that her home would be eligible for preservation protections. She thought it was too new.
After the stipulation about demolition was removed, a developer purchased the property for $825,000. The developer quickly tore down the modernist gem and replaced it with five new houses, priced in the mid- to upper-six figures, an action that resonated throughout the Fayetteville community.
After the Dust Settles uses the fate of the Kistler-Hollstein House to raise awareness of needless destruction of architecturally significant properties. The emotionally gripping film has been recognized widely for its excellence, winning a prestigious Telly Award in 2008.
Moonlight Communications not only documents preservation efforts, but its owners are actively involved in carrying them out. In 1999, Johnson and Wright purchased a three-story building in downtown Fayetteville and set up their office on the second floor. Restoration led to new commercial space on the ground floor and a loft-style residence on the upper level.
In 2003, Johnson and Wright received their first Carraway Award for their preservation efforts. Preservation North Carolina is pleased to award Moonlight Communications with its second Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit—this time for After the Dust Settles.
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