NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

CHAPTER 940

HOUSE BILL 680

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO ASSIST IN THE RESEARCH, RELOCATION, RESTORATION, AND ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR THE WILLIAM KING HOUSE BY HISTORIC HOPE FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED, IN BERTIE COUNTY.

Whereas, the King House is among the State's very few pre-Revolutionary dwellings that survive essentially unchanged since construction to provide present-day citizens with knowledge of the craftmanship, living habits, and conditions of life in North Carolina before the Revolution; and

Whereas, the early building date (1763) and first owners (William and Elizabeth King) of the house are definitely known, making the building uniquely important in dating and understanding of other eighteenth century houses throughout the State; and

Whereas, the building is of great architectural significance because of the exceptionally complete survival of such rare and early features as its gambrel roof, brick ends, T-stack chimneys, and fine Georgian woodwork including mantels, wainscots, cupboards, and stairs; and

Whereas, Historic Hope Foundation, Incorporated, wishes to expand its preservation efforts by restoring and opening to the people of North Carolina this important structure; and

Whereas, Historic Hope Foundation seeks a State appropriation to assist with historical and archaeological research, land acquisition, architectural planning, and moving the King House to land adjacent to Hope Plantation, and the commencement of foundation, and partial exterior restoration work; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Archives and History, Department of Cultural Resources, for assistance in the research, architectural planning, and land acquisition for the William King House for the 1975-76 fiscal year the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500), provided a like amount is raised by the Historic Hope Foundation, Incorporated after July 1, 1975; and for the 1976-77 fiscal year for the relocation and partial exterior restoration of the William King House the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500), provided a like amount is raised by the Historic Hope Foundation, Incorporated after July 1, 1975.

Sec. 2.  Funds appropriated in this act shall be expended only in accordance with Sections 121-11 and 143-31.2 of the General Statutes.

Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective on July 1, 1975.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 26th day of June, 1975.