Preservation Chapel Hill

Preservation Chapel Hill Preservation Chapel Hill is headquartered at the Horace Williams House, which was built by Benjamin Hedrick in 1854.
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Preservation Chapel Hill endeavors to preserve the true essence of Chapel Hill through a variety of educational programs, special events, and community projects. A professor of chemistry at UNC, Hedrick built an octagonal house connected to a two-room farmhouse. After being run out town for his political opinions on the eve of the Civil War, the home was purchased by Hosea Smith, also a professor

at UNC. In 1879, Smith sold the house to George Winston, a professor of Latin. Horace Williams was the next owner of the property. A professor of philosophy, he championed teaching methods focused on questioning rather than lecturing. Williams left the house to UNC upon his death in 1940. We invite you to explore our page, visit the Horace Williams House, and join us in the effort to keep Chapel Hill “The Southern Part of Heaven."

05/29/2026
The Coker-Venable House609 North StreetNamed for botany professor William Chambers Coker, this “Prairie Style”house was ...
05/20/2026

The Coker-Venable House
609 North Street

Named for botany professor William Chambers Coker, this “Prairie Style”house was sensitively renovated with input from covenant-holder
Preservation North Carolina. Although the exterior renovations blend well with the house, the renovations to the foundation and mechanical systems are equally impressive.

Professor William Chambers Coker and his wife, Louise, daughter of university president Francis P Venable, purchased 65 acres north of the village and built their modified prairie style house in 1908.

The Cokers named the house “The Rocks” for a prominent cluster of rocks facing North Street. The rocky area is preserved for public access and contemplation.

The Coker Hills neighborhood was named for Professor Coker, a well known botanist. This property is recognized because of its exceptionally sensitive renovation and preservation of Professor Coker’s legacy.

This property has been awarded a special Preservation Award by Preservation Chapel Hill during Preservation Month 2026.

Why Become a Member of Preservation Chapel Hill at the Horace Williams House you ask?Protect Historic Places • Celebrate...
05/20/2026

Why Become a Member of Preservation Chapel Hill at the Horace Williams House you ask?

Protect Historic Places • Celebrate Local History • Support Community Preservation • Connect With Others Who Love Chapel Hill

The UNC Study Center -203 Battle LaneSeveral years in process, this exceptional historic renovation is both visually com...
05/18/2026

The UNC Study Center -203 Battle Lane

Several years in process, this exceptional historic renovation is both visually compelling as highly functional. Judge William Horn Battle built this structure around 1843 on a site east of the University. The imposing two-story house was originally five bays wide with six over six windows and interior end chimneys. Judge Battle shared a
law office with Samuel Field Phillips located at 401 E. Franklin Street and, along with Phillips, helped to establish the UNC Law School. The judge’s son Kemp Plummer Battle, lived here from 1876-1891 and enlarged the original house by adding flanking wings. The Battle House, also known as Senlac, is listed due to a thorough and historically appropriate upgrade and expansion by the new owner, the UNC Study Center, which was awarded a special Preservation Achievement Award by Preservation Chapel Hill during Preservation Month, 2025.

05/17/2026

Large Scale Historic Renovations

*203 Battle Lane, “Senlac”, The UNC Study Center
*609 North Street, The Coker-Venable House
*610 North Street/211 Glenburie Street, Stacy-Bell House
*412 W. Cameron Avenue, The Mason-Lloyd-Wiley House

These four important historic properties in our community have undergone extensive and thorough renovations.

These projects were renovated “from bottom-up” meaning that a substantial part of the renovation has been
infrastructure.

Exterior additions also took place and were executed thoughtfully blending in with the original character and style of the structure.

In one property it was the addition of a bedroom wing. In another it was the addition of a wing that gave the property aesthetic balance while adding
functionality. The other two were returned to single family ownership from multiple occupants.

Sorry we will be closed Friday May 29th for an event. Thank you so much!
05/17/2026

Sorry we will be closed Friday May 29th for an event. Thank you so much!

Address

610 E Rosemary Street
Chapel Hill, NC
27514

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+19199427818

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