In the world of preservation, relocating a historic structure is eyed with utmost trepidation Not only is a building’s site usually integral to its historic value, the very act of moving such a large, normally stationary object creates many opportunities for harm.

Occasionally, however, relocating an important historic structure is the only way to avoid its destruction — and that’s where Blake Moving Company of Greensboro comes in.

After encroaching commercial development squeezed out residential property owners along Highway 64 in Knightdale, Charlie Silver and his wife, Dena, faced a dilemma: Should they sell their ancestral home and property to developers or try to save the 1848 Greek Revival house by moving it elsewhere? They chose the latter and hired Blake Moving Company to do the job.

“When we first searched for a mover, we talked with several possible choices. Not one of them showed the least interest in preserving the home during the move,” Charlie told the Honor Awards committee. “They suggested cutting it up, disassembling it, even razing it instead of moving it.” But not Mike Blake. “Mike was very concerned about the safety and condition of the structure from the first moment he arrived.”

Ultimately, the move was a success. Midway Plantation was saved. It has been re-listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was honored at last year’s conference with a Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit. Midway has received national prominence through the movie, Moving Midway.

For such achievements, Blake Moving Company’s reputation has spread across the state. The strength of that reputation comes through loud and clear in the comments submitted on behalf of his award nomination:

“Mike Blake became our strongest ally…
“He strives for consistently high standards…
“His crew is so well trained …
“Mike showed us a vision of what preservation could be.”

Other notable projects have included relocation of All Saints Chapel in Raleigh (a 2009 Carraway Award winner ), moves of half a dozen historic houses as part of downtown Raleigh’s Blount Street project (more about that project later tonight), and the relocation of the Chancellor's House at UNCG, the Zenke House in Greensboro, railroad depots in Statesville, Newton and Kernersville — and many, many more.

For its contributions to the preservation of historic buildings that cannot be saved on site, Preservation North Carolina is pleased to present the 2009 L. Vincent Lowe Business Award to Blake Moving Company of Greensboro.