We are pleased that Mrs. Patty Ray, Mr. Joel Bailey, and Dr. John Randall have joined the Board. Our old friend Mr. Bill Williams has rejoined the Board. after a two year absence.
Ken Moore, Benson Kirkman , Alice Zawadzki, and Margaret Wineinger have retired at the completion of their terms, and we are grateful to them for their enthusiasm and contributions.
Our financial status is secure as the Board follows a conservative approach to spending. Our major costs last year were paying for a survey of Rock Cliff Farm, hiring an architectural historian to prepare the application papers to register the Farm with the National Register of Historic Places, and to pay for the custom bench made from white oak with a plaque to commemorate the early members of the Association who worked so hard nearly thirty years ago.
We held the first workday of the season on January 27, when the weather was unusually mild for January. Attending were Margaret Pridgen, Earl Creutzberg, Joel Bailey, John Pelosi, Bill Williams and Hugh Nourse. We raked the front yard and collected rocks that had been spread by the fall of the old oak tree, cleared two trails that had a lot of trees downed by high winds, and cleaned and vacuumed the studio. Joel reports that there was so much dust in the studio that it filled his ShopVac.
I thought you would be amused by the following: the old outhouse is collapsing, and our historians tell us that it is an important artifact in the old farmstead which should be preserved. Our children need to see how our forefathers lived. So we are looking for ways to rebuild or repair the outhouse. Yes, we have already received some ribald suggestions, nevertheless we will attempt to rescue the structure for the edification of future generations.
Two major activities last year involved the cataloging of flora growing on the farm. Both The Nature Conservancy and Duke University organized field trips to the farm to compile the information. We know a lot of plants were lost in 1978 when Falls Lake inundated the low-lying, moist areas that many wildflowers favored. We hope to re-introduce such native plants into appropriate areas above the waterline. We are also intent on keeping the open field free from encroaching tree seedlings, and enabling the sun-loving native plants to flourish there.
- Hughen Nourse
At Stony Hill and Rock Cliff Farm we find many soapstone rocks that are composed of magnesium silcate, and frequently with a high iron content. Soapstone rocks are a sure indicator of past volcanism, and occur at volcanic sites around the world, such as Mt. Etna. The soapy feel of soapstone and its close relative talc, derives from the crystal structure of the magnesium silicates which are flat crystals that can easily slide over each other. (The good lubricating quality of graphite is also attributable to a flat crystal shape of graphite carbon.)
There is an easily visible seam of soapstone at Rock Cliff Farm, that projects into the water of Falls Lake, forming a prominent point. This seam was quarried by the local farmers for construction stone. Soapstone is easy to cut into blocks, and to shape and carve. It was a favorite material for building fireplaces and chimneys since it does not split or shatter under the influence of a fire. Many farmers took up the hobby of carving soapstone into figurines, or into utilitarian objects such as water troughs and feed troughs for chickens
There actually are many such seams underlying Rock Cliff Farm, but to see them one has to hike close to the water's edge on the steep banks to the west of the farm house. A better view is from a canoe or a boat. The wave action of passing boats is undercutting the banks making it easier to spot where the hard soapstone strata that are resistant, project into the lake.
The surface of soapstone can be quite rough and pitted. The pits are called vesicles and are the remnants of gas bubbles that existed in the molten magma. When the rising magma reached the much lower pressures at the surface of the earth, these bubbles burst and released the gas (we presume it was mostly carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere, leaving just the scars or pits in the rock.
Along Stony Hill Road were many sites where rock hounds could collect soapstone rocks. These rocks were quite distinctive because of the greenish tinge of the surface, making it easy to spot the soapstone amongst the other rocks. Alas, housing developments and paved roads are now covering more and more of these outcrops. The neighboring volcano of Adams Mount is almost completely covered in upscale homes with lush landscaping. Now Stony Hill is following suit with the development of a 750 acre subdivision, with golf course, that will run between highway 98 and Purnell Road.
Hughen Nourse
Mr. Kershner suggested complete removal of the structure, but the board members jumped at the opportunity to restore it. After a short discussion, the outhouse was worth of some protection being a piece of the historical farm puzzle.
One of the reasons the site is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places is because it is a 19th century piedmont farmstead. What farmstead would be complete without an outhouse?
Jeff Adolphsen offered to inspect the outhouse to see if it could be rebuilt. New board member Joel Bailey who grew up in the area, offered to help Jeff since he had used the outhouse before!
The rest of the buildings ad farm structures are slowly deteriorating. A 2002 survey by the state park maintenance supervisor suggested re-building of the outhouse and other vital repair of the buildings to maintain structural integrity. With budget and staff restrictions it is no surprise that the work has not been done. Fortunately the Association members are there to help in these times of disrepair...and repair.
The rock wall is being looked at by the association for repairs from the fallen oak tree. The porch will also need work soon.
If you would like to help with any of these projects please contact the grounds or building committee.
- Brian Bockhahn
The caretakers non-historic outhouse still remains, but very little else.
Now if only we could get a parking lot, picnic area and bathroom with water!
- Brian Bockhahn
As we’re growing we are in need of help on each of our project committees. Many of these are a committee of one, and will need any help that is out there.
Archiving: help is needed on various work days cleaning and preserving historical materials and heirlooms.
Buildings: could use anyone with architectural experience or contacts with a construction company.
Grounds: if you can use a chainsaw or even a garden hoe, you can lend a hand with the ongoing projects.
Public Relations: Help with various promotions and events outside the park.
Education: field trip leaders and researchers are needed.
Ways and Means: anyone with contacts or experience working with non-profit organizations are sought.
Membership: it’s not just licking stamps, we need help with membership drives and recruitment.
Please consider helping in one or more areas, thank you!
If you have any information about the following please contact Brian Bockhahn at 676-1027, or email Brian.Bockhahn@ncmail.net
Naming of Ziegle’s Rock
Moonshine Trail rock markers
History of John Davis
History of Wyatt Mangum
Lowery home sites
Pet Cemetery information
Personal information on Edna Metz Wells, Maude Wells or the early members of the B.W. Wells Association.
PO Box 1901
Wake Forest NC 27588