Perquimans County Restoration Association Newbold-White House

08/15/2026

When giving tours of the Newbold White House, we are often asked questions about Quakers, and give short lessons on Quaker faith, life, and history. One particular question, usually in the form of a statement, comes up when we mention Bess, Sambo, Lame Mingo, and Old Blind Mingo, the four enslaved people listed in Abraham Sanders' 1750 will and 1751 inventory: "But Quakers didn't own slaves!"
This often leads to questions about the changing attitudes of 18th and 19th century Friends to the "peculiar institution", the Underground Railroad, and what part Perquimans County Quakers played in working to first free their own slaves, and then to help others find a safe path to freedom.

Follow this link to the North Carolina Friends Historical Society webpage for information on an upcoming talk in Greensboro on Levi Coffin and the Underground Railroad.

The purpose of the North Carolina Friends Historical Society is to support the collection and preservation of and publish valuable information relative to the history of the Society of Friends in North Carolina and adjacent territories and to work in harmony and cooperation with the Quaker Archives....

08/15/2026

It's Jollification time already! Make ready to make merry with PCRA!
Save the date, and keep following this page to learn more about the tour, the supper, and all the fun and frolic that make Jollification special.
Hope to see you there!

08/05/2026

If you've ever visited the Newbold White House, you know that this branch (which some people refer to as a creek) is usually dry. On Monday of this week, the heavy rains caused it to rapidly fill with runoff from the fields to the west of the house, which it drains. Geoff Byrd happened to be there, and caught these photos of the rushing water.

During the restoration of the house, extensive archaeology was done, and one area investigated was the bank of this branch. Through the layers discovered in a test trench it was determined that this was much wider and deeper in the eighteenth century, but has since silted up as more land was cleared. Conjectures have been made as to whether it was possibly large enough to bring the periauger up from the Perquimans River (into which this feeds). Even if that were not possible, with water at this level Abraham Sanders could have easily paddled his two canoes from the river, possibly using them as lighters or tenders to load and unload cargo from the periauger anchored in the river.

06/30/2026

We were pleased to see so many friends of the Newbold White House - old and new - turn up to celebrate with us at the PCRA Garden Party! A wonderful surprise was to get to see Barbara Matthews, long time PCRA Board member, and organizer of the very popular (though now sadly discontinued) Summer Breeze Concert Series. Barbara came all the way from Winston Salem by herself to join us for this very special event. Great to see and catch up with you Barbara!

06/29/2026

Lest we forget that the Garden Party is much more than a celebration but is also one of the main annual fundraisers supporting the Newbold White House, an important element of the day is the silent auction and raffle. Organized by Penny Byrd and Rose Burrafato, a variety of items were offered for auction and raffle, and helped increase the proceeds - and the fun factor - of the day. Thank you to Penny, Rose, those who donated items for the auction, and to all who bid on and purchased items and raffle tickets.

06/28/2026

Underlying the entire afternoon of the Garden Party, The Itinerant Band of Virginia Beach, played a variety of music from the 18th century, fitting for a celebration of a nearly 300 year old house in the 250th year of our nation's history. This talented group of musicians plays across eastern Virginian and North Carolina, with period instruments and in full period costume. Among their more notable venues has been the banquet hall or "New Room" of George Washington's Mount Vernon, where they have played for very special events. They even took time out for one of their members, Heather Barlow, to teach a brave octet of volunteers an 18th century dance! I'm not sure who was more entertained - the dancers or the observers! Regrettably, no photographic or video evidence of the dancing has yet surfaced. Anybody out there have it?
Thank you to The Itinerant Band for providing the perfect accompaniment for a perfect day!

06/27/2026

The beverage tent was very popular - to be expected on such a warm spring day - and offered a wide variety from which to choose. Punch, lemonade, iced tea, and water were on hand, as well as muscadine cider (both by the taste and by the glass), and a range of wines. Very special appreciation goes out to Ron and Kim Stites for their generous donation of wine, and to Grandy Farm Market and Sanctuary Vineyard for their donations as well. We couldn't have done it without you!

06/26/2026

Food Glorious Food! Beneath Sybil Skinners' ribbon bedecked ring of greenery and flowers was a delectable spread of amazing food. Sweets, savories, fruit, cheeses, pastries, charcuterie - a feast for the eye as well as the palate. Piggin' Out Catering by Arlene Layden provided the majority of the food and served it all beautifully, assisted by Donna Byrum and Maryann Norman. The Farmer's Daughters Bakery of Hertford provided sweets ad sweet potato ham biscuits, and Whisked Away Home Bakery of Elizabeth City provided petit fours and a beautiful three tiered celebration cake. In addition, Barbara Ward and Brenda Hollowell White made and contributed stuffed tomatoes, mint brownies, and hand made mints.
We recommend any and all of these ladies for your next food event!

06/26/2026

How do you hold a Garden Party on a bare, rather windswept lawn? You create a garden of potted plants! In addition to the beautiful floral decorations provided by Sybil Skinner, potted trees, shrubs, and flowers were generously loaned to us by Planter's Ridge and Manzer's Nursery, adding just the right touch of green (and hiding numerous tent poles and ropes!)
Thank you to the Brown's of Planter's Ridge, and the Manzer's of Manzer's Nursery! Please see them for all your garden needs!

06/25/2026

People make a party. Flowers make it festive! Sybil Skinner of Yeopim Flowers created the perfect garden party atmosphere of elegance tinged with whimsy, including a delightful hanging centerpiece for the main tent (which came alive as a moving work of art in the day's breeze!), a bouquet lined walk leading attendees through the garden to the Newbold White House, and centerpieces of both cut and potted flowers for all the tables. We simply could not have carried this out without Sybil and her right hand man (and husband!) John! A huge Thank You!