Letter, Tarlton to Stockton, October 27, 1965
Dublin Core
Title
Letter, Tarlton to Stockton, October 27, 1965
Subject
South, Stanley A.
Moravians.
Archaeology.
Wachovia (N.C.)--History.
Letters.
Historic preservation.
Tourism.
Interpretation of cultural and natural resources.
Babcock, Charles H., 1899-1967
Description
Copy of a letter from W. S. Tarlton to E. L. Stockton regarding a recent visit to Bethabara, including suggestions for historic preservation and interpretation.
On yellow carbon paper, 11" x 8 1/2".
On yellow carbon paper, 11" x 8 1/2".
Creator
Tarlton, W. S.
Date
October 27, 1965
Type
Text
Format
PDF
Language
English
Identifier
SSMC 6-45 021
Source
MC2-Stanley South Manuscript Collection-Correspondence.
Relation
Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box - Folder 6-45.
Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box - Folder 6-48.
Rights
Rights held by Historic Bethabara Park, Inc. Use and reproduction restrictions apply. Contact Historic Bethabara Park Archives.
Rights Holder
Historic Bethabara Park, Inc.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
State of North Carolina
Department of Archives and History
Post Office Box 1881
Raleigh
October 27, 1965
Mr. Edwin L. Stockton
Old Salem, Incorporated
Drawer F
Salem Station
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Stockton:
Last Saturday morning in passing Winston-Salem I stopped with two other members of our staff and visited Bethabara. Regretfully there was not time to contact you or anyone else, as we stopped on a spur-of-the-moment decision. Stan South has of course kept us fully informed about the project, so I already knew pretty much what to expect.
Bethabara is certainly a splendid project and doubtless will become in the years ahead one of the truly important historic attractions in our State. It has been well handled thus far. The remaining development deserves to be as carefully and imaginatively handled as that which has already been done.
In looking at the over-all situation there, I am impressed by the variety of interest. You have a fine archeological exhibit. The reconstructed stockade will have great intrinsic interest and at the same time will impress and move the observer with the tiny, almost helplessscale of Moravian beginnings in Wachovia. And in the several surviving early buildings you have a wonderful asset that out to be retained and protected. Perhaps these buildings all date from a somewhat later period than the town’s beginning, but they demonstrate the time continuum very well and they save Bathabara from being merely an archaeological exhibit and a reconstruction of the stockade.
Happily, the surviving buildings you now have illustrate several types of construction-stone, brick, and log. I particularly want to plead for preserving the log house because I understand from Stan that you are thinking of tearing it down. In our view it will be important to a well-rounded visualization of old Bethabara to keep it as your lone example of log construction. It may be nineteenth century but I do not believe for this reason that it should be removed. Perhaps the best long-range plan for Bethabara should include concern for the first century of its history, not just the first few years or just the eighteenth century.
Mr. Edwin L. Stockton -2- October 27, 1965
It would seem to be better to keep it now until more complete planning is carried out. It could always be done with later if found not to fit in with the final plan. By the same token the Brewer’s House, the Potter’s House, and other early buildings not in the way of developing the original site out also to be protected at least for the time being.
I hope soon to be able to meet you and toexpress in person the pleasure and appreciation I feel for what is being done at Bethabara, so much of it due to your personal concern and efforts. We are pleased to have a part in it through the work that Stan South is doing and certainly share with you, with Mr. Babcock, and with all others concerned a deep pride in the fine progress that is being made.
With cordial good wishes—
Yours sincerely,
W S Tarlton [signed]
W. S. Tarlton
Historic Sites Superintendent
WST:ebh
cc: Mr. James A. Gray
Mr. Frank L. Horton
bc: Dr. Christopher Crittenden
Mr. Stanley A. South
Department of Archives and History
Post Office Box 1881
Raleigh
October 27, 1965
Mr. Edwin L. Stockton
Old Salem, Incorporated
Drawer F
Salem Station
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Stockton:
Last Saturday morning in passing Winston-Salem I stopped with two other members of our staff and visited Bethabara. Regretfully there was not time to contact you or anyone else, as we stopped on a spur-of-the-moment decision. Stan South has of course kept us fully informed about the project, so I already knew pretty much what to expect.
Bethabara is certainly a splendid project and doubtless will become in the years ahead one of the truly important historic attractions in our State. It has been well handled thus far. The remaining development deserves to be as carefully and imaginatively handled as that which has already been done.
In looking at the over-all situation there, I am impressed by the variety of interest. You have a fine archeological exhibit. The reconstructed stockade will have great intrinsic interest and at the same time will impress and move the observer with the tiny, almost helplessscale of Moravian beginnings in Wachovia. And in the several surviving early buildings you have a wonderful asset that out to be retained and protected. Perhaps these buildings all date from a somewhat later period than the town’s beginning, but they demonstrate the time continuum very well and they save Bathabara from being merely an archaeological exhibit and a reconstruction of the stockade.
Happily, the surviving buildings you now have illustrate several types of construction-stone, brick, and log. I particularly want to plead for preserving the log house because I understand from Stan that you are thinking of tearing it down. In our view it will be important to a well-rounded visualization of old Bethabara to keep it as your lone example of log construction. It may be nineteenth century but I do not believe for this reason that it should be removed. Perhaps the best long-range plan for Bethabara should include concern for the first century of its history, not just the first few years or just the eighteenth century.
Mr. Edwin L. Stockton -2- October 27, 1965
It would seem to be better to keep it now until more complete planning is carried out. It could always be done with later if found not to fit in with the final plan. By the same token the Brewer’s House, the Potter’s House, and other early buildings not in the way of developing the original site out also to be protected at least for the time being.
I hope soon to be able to meet you and toexpress in person the pleasure and appreciation I feel for what is being done at Bethabara, so much of it due to your personal concern and efforts. We are pleased to have a part in it through the work that Stan South is doing and certainly share with you, with Mr. Babcock, and with all others concerned a deep pride in the fine progress that is being made.
With cordial good wishes—
Yours sincerely,
W S Tarlton [signed]
W. S. Tarlton
Historic Sites Superintendent
WST:ebh
cc: Mr. James A. Gray
Mr. Frank L. Horton
bc: Dr. Christopher Crittenden
Mr. Stanley A. South
Collection
Citation
Tarlton, W. S. , “Letter, Tarlton to Stockton, October 27, 1965,” Historic Bethabara Park Collections, accessed April 24, 2024, https://historicbethabarapark.omeka.net/items/show/16.