PNC Event: Franklin County Ramble

Preservation NC’s first Ramble of the year will feature a diverse mix of historic properties in Franklin County. As the county is rich with historic architecture, we’ll focus our Ramble around Louisburg.

Franklin County was formed in 1779, and with convenient access to lucrative markets in Virginia, residents adopted a plantation economy based on cotton and tobacco cash crops by the nineteenth century. Franklin became not only one of the richest counties in the state, but it was also one of the few with a majority Black population. A network of plantations formed an interesting body of architectural resources, complemented by institutions including churches, schools, the Franklin Male Academy, and Louisburg College. Enterprising citizens invested in the establishment of mills, stores, and cotton gins that complete a full expression of a rural landscape.  

Preservation NC Rambles give you the chance to explore the historic homes and buildings of a NC community inside and out — and at your own pace! We’ve partnered with property owners and community leaders to share beautiful and interesting historic properties in a single day, many not often open to the public.

Save time at the door! Advance purchase recommended.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10:00-12:00  PRE-RAMBLE
Arrive early to tour two of our special sites that are located on the north side of Louisburg:

Woodleaf Plantation (1820): Protected by PNC since 1981, the Massenburg Plantation (known as Woodleaf) is a remarkably intact plantation house and collection of outbuildings. Massenburg’s detailed journals, now housed in the Southern Historical Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill, chronicle the farm’s history, including its enslaved laborers. Built with labor from 46 enslaved people by 1860, the plantation was a major producer of cotton and corn. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 with a boundary expansion in 2000. The property has been fully restored by owners Bill Lord and Sue Guerrant and was featured in the April 1986 issue of Southern Living.

Perry’s School (1941): Tour one of Franklin County’s last remaining Rosenwald schools. The site includes four buildings constructed between 1941-63, with the 1941 building’s style and form following the Rosenwald Fund’s Nashville Plan for a six-teacher school with auditorium. See preservation in progress as the Perry School Alumni Association works to bring the site back to life.

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
Make sure to grab lunch in Louisburg before the Ramble!

12:30-3:00  REGISTRATION DESK HOURS
Pick up your ramble map at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

1:00-3:30  FRANKLIN COUNTY RAMBLE
Ramble around the in-town tour sites including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1900), Old Methodist Parsonage/The Music House (1884), Collie-Best-Taylor House (1903), Wheless House (1954), and more!

3:30-5:30  FINAL RAMBLE SITE AND CLOSING RECEPTION
Drive south of town to close out the day at the spectacular home of Rod Perry and Gordon Plummer who have carefully preserved not one, but two significant historic properties: the Jones Cooke House (1790/1841) and the Shemuel Kearney House (1758). Tour the property and enjoy light refreshments with PNC staff and Ramble guests.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS TO DATE!

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CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR THIS EVENT! includes tickets and acknowledgement on event materials