news-record.com

GIBSONVILLE — The Gibsonville Museum and Historical Society is inviting people to tour a newly restored 1850s home as part of its first fundraiser.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Cummings-Wagoner-Mizelle House at 303 Springwood Ave. It includes a tag sale of antiques.

The building is believed to be the oldest house within the original corporate limits of Gibsonville.

John Cummings built the timber-frame house. Jacob and Martha Wagoner bought it in 1907 and expanded and remodeled it in 1916 to its current floor plan and appearance as a Victorian cottage. Laura R. Rountree Mizelle purchased the house in 1946.

Another remodeling in 1968 removed many of the architectural features such as fireplaces, mantels and part of the wrap-around porch.

Jerry S. Nix, vice president of the historical society, bought the house in December 2008 and has been restoring it using a 1930s photo.

Admission to Saturday’s event is $5, but people who purchase charter memberships that day will receive free admission. Charter memberships are $50 on the day of the house tour. Visitors are asked not to wear high heels. Part of the proceeds from the tag sale will be donated to the society.

The event will help the Gibsonville Museum and Historical Society eventually open a museum.

The group, which organized last year, is collecting artifacts, records and relics to help people understand and appreciate the heritage of Gibsonville and surrounding areas. The Lindley family donated temporary storage space for the artifacts at its industrial complex on Minneola Street.

Sandra Moulton, secretary of GMHS, said many people have already promised to donate items to the museum. Also, the leaders of the organization have many useful skills for their mission.

Among the board members are Howard Hendricks, a former museum coordinator, and Richard Kleeberg, a professional photographer who has digitized many historical photographs and documents.

“We have so much talent in this group,” Moulton said.

GMHS has established a walking tour of town, as well as a historical Geocache. Information on both will be available at the house tour and tag sale.

For information on GMHS or the house tour, call Moulton at 449-5678.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at 449-4610 or jamie.kennedy@news-record.com