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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-15-2005-10aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 15, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. ~ ~ - q SUBJECT: Interim Stewardship Plan for Blackwood Farm DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Conservation ATTACHMENT(S): 1) Location Map 2) Interim Stewardship Plan (draft) INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245-2590 Rich Shaw, 245-2590 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 6$8-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To receive a draft plan for the County's ongoing care and maintenance of Blackwood Farm during the interim period prior to park development. BACKGROUND: Orange County purchased a 152-acre property from the Blackwood family in December 2001, The former farm is located at the intersection of NC 86 and New Hope Church Road, near the I-40 interchange with New Hope Church Road, The intended use of the property, as indicated at the time of acquisiticn, is for a future County park with a "low-impact" orientation, The property is being "land banked" until such time that the Board approves a design process to develop a master plan for the future use of the property. The specific nature of the park has yet to be determined, although it has been assumed that the park will take advantage of the significant historic, agricultural, and natural resources found on the site, Since acquisition of the Blackwood Farm, several actions have been taken to care far the property in the areas of security, grounds keeping, farmstead building maintenance and improvements, and to accommodate limited interim use of the property. This Interim Stewardship Plan serves to address these activities, both current and proposed in the next few years. ERCD has prepared a draft Interim Stewardship Plan for the Board's consideration and feedback, The plan provides details about the care for and use of the property during the period prior to the County's ultimate use as a public park, ERCD has been assisted by the 2 Recreation and Parks Department, the County Engineer, the Soil and Water District and the Forest Service among others in the upkeep and management of the property to date. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The plan itself will result in no financial impact for Orange County. Any proposed expenditures needed to implement the plan will go through the normal authorization process of the CIP ar annual budget. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider the draft interim stewardship plan far Blackwood Farm, offer any feedback and guidance to staff as needed, and consider approval of the plan, ~~ •% i ., 0 ';• ~•-~"~; 'E. f/ .~ /filC~,"/( ~'6 - ','~V \;7~'~-:./,~WY1G. ~.~A ~.i ti ~ ai ~~ c~,~..~ v.~..~ii ....... .. .. ... .. .. ,.,_~ ... ... _-, _. Blackwood Farm ~~® Ftt, A Location Map Blackwood Farm Parcel Boundary cnuntyororangc [nvlmvcent & Resou¢e O Cnnservutbn pep3nnient USES Quad Maps m~~ocs adios DRAT ~nterim ~jtewardshiP ('~an ~or ~istoric ~j~ac~.wooc~ arm February 15, 2005 Environment and Resource Conservation Department Orange County, North Carolina Historic Blackwood Farm -Interim Stewa.rds)tip Plan (DRAFT) 1. Introduction A. Lands Leaacv Program The Lands Legacy Program was adopted by Orange County in April 2000. The purpose of the program is to protect lands that contain the County's most important natural and cultural areas. Land protection is accomplished through voluntary means, including fee- simple acquisition and the use of conservation easements. Lands Legacy is administered by the Environment and Resource Conservation Depaztment (ERCD). ERCD often collaborates with other land conservation partners to protect lands of mutual interest. Partners include other County departments, other local governments, land trusts, universities, and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, Lands Legacy acquisitions are guided by an Action Plan, which is adopted by the Board of Commissioners every two years, The types of land protected through the program include parkland, natural azeas and wildlife habitat, riparian buffers (in water supply watersheds), prime farmland, and historic and cultural sites. As of December 2004, Orange County (through Lands Legacy) had acquired 757 acres for new county pazkland and nature preserves, and protected another 648 acres of private farmland and natural lands with conservation easements. B. Overview of Pazk Acquisition and Design Process Far parkland acquisitions ERCD identifies and evaluates potential sites using criteria adopted by the Board of Commissioners, ERCD also coordinates with the Recreation and Pazks Director on parkland acquisitions, Once a park property is acquired, ERCD oversees site stewardship, including posting of boundazies, controlling access, site clean up, and grounds maintenance -until such time as a Master Plan is completed for the park. ERCD staff coordinates development of park master plans, with assistance from Recreation & Parks (R&P), Planning & Inspections, and others as needed. In most cases, the Board of Commissioners convenes a committee to develop a pazk master plan. Following Board adoption of the master plan, the more detailed site design (e,g,, construction drawings, infrastructure plans) is handled,jointly by ERCD and R&P in close coordination with Planning Department. Once the Master Plan is done, park construction, oversight and management is normally handled by the R&P with assistance from ERCD and other departments as needed. Once construction is completed, R&P is takes over the park operation, maintenance and land stewazdship. ERCD assists in the stewardship of any sensitive natural areas located on park property, ERCD also assists in the stewardship of cultural resources, and may offer input on the stabilization, renovation, and long-term maintenance of existing buildings on park properties as needed. Historic Blackwood Farm -Interim StewardsTrip Plan (DRAFT) 6 1. Overview of the Historic Blackwood Farm A. Brief Historv The historic Blackwood Farm is located near the intersection ofNC 86 and New Hope Church Road, The 152-acre property has been farmed since the mid- to late-1700s by some of the early European settlers of Orange County. This area was settled by Scots- Irish and German immigrants, who by 1745 had arrived in what was to become Orange County. After a brief period living in the Hawfields area (now Alamance County), members of six families-among them the Craigs, Strayhorns and Blackwoods- purchased land along a creek of the Haw River, which they named "New Hope Creek," Chain of title research documents the Strayhorn family's association with the farm from as early as 1815, and it is likely that Samuel Strayhorn is responsible for the construction of the earliest portion of the house dating to 1827. Herbert and Alice Blackwood purchased the farm in 1906, and with their eight children operated a dairy until the pazents' deaths in 1958-59. According to Miss Nannie Blackwood, from whom the County purchased the property, the family raised corn, wheat, sweet potatoes and cotton. They carried their milk, butter, eggs, and vegetables to sell in Durham until the 1950s, Mast agricultural activities were phased out by the 1980s, and for the past 10 yeazs or more have been limited to hay production. Today, most of the original farm remains intact, including the old farmstead and open agricultural fields that occupy roughly half of the property, Small portions of the property were carved off in the late 1980s for the construction of Interstate 40, for the straightening of New Hope Church Road, and for the New Hope Elementary School. B. Acquisition Orange County purchased the Blackwood Farm property in December 2001, The purpose of this acquisition was to protect this historic and scenic farrn property for a future park site in a location (the New Hope/LTniversity Station area) that was consistent with the 1988 Pazks and Recreation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, It was noted at the time of purchase that the pazk would be low-impact in orientation, to protect the scenic, natural and historic components of the property. Other notable reasons for acquiring this site was its strategic location midway between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, with easy access from I-40 and close proximity to two schools (New Hope Elementazy and Stanback Middle). Finally, this site will protect a portion of an important natural area recognized by the NC Natural Heritage Program. The property was purchased from the Blackwood family for the appraised value of $13,600 per acre. Funding for the purchase came from the 2001 Parks and Open Space Bond, the SchooUPazk Reserve and Payment-in-Lieu Funds (Chapel Hill District). A newspaper account of the County's acquisition is provided as Attachment A, Historic Blackwood Farm - Interim Stewardship Plan (DRf1F'2') C. Property Description The property is in a rural residential section of the New Hope community, It is bounded to the east by NC 86, to the south by New Hope Church Road and undeveloped land, to the west by Interstate 40 and undeveloped woodlands, and to the north by eight residential lots on Cheyenne Drive. An aerial orthophoto of the Blackwood Farm property (Spring 2003) is provided as Attachment B. Natural Features Blackwood Farm is situated in a highly scenic rural setting. Roughly half of the property is wooded with mixed-aged hazdwood trees and young pine. The terrain slopes from both the northern and southern boundaries (600 feet elev,) toward the middle of the property where two small streams (at 530 feet) flow across the property from east to west, The northward vista from New Hope Church Road is considered one of the County's most scenic viewscapes. The two streams (New Hope Creek tributaries) divide the tract roughly into thirds, with the farmstead on a shaded rise in the middle third, One of the streams feeds athree-acre pond. The northern third of the property includes three hay fields and 30-acre pine plantation, One of the hayfields is cleazly visible from Interstate 40, The southern third of the property features a wide, open hayfield, which is prominent in the long vista of the property from New Hope Church Road, The southwest corner of the property contains part of an important natural area located in the southern wooded portion along New Hope Church Road. The natural area-known as the "New Hope Church Road Basic Forest"-is identified in the Orange County b:ve~:tory of Natural Areas a~:d Wildlife Habitat, This intact oak-hickory forest hosts a lazge population of a raze plant, Bush's sedge (Carex bushii). A description of the natural azea is provided as Attachment C. Structures and Improvements Structures on the property aze clustered within the farmstead azea located at the west end of the driveway entrance from NC 86, They consist of the house, well house, smokehouse, milk house, chicken house, corncrib, milking shed, bazn, gazage, and shed, Photos of these buildings are provided in Attachment D, According to the Historic Preservation Commission, the "period of significance" the fazmstead is azound 1920-1940 because the house and surviving outbuildings reflect that period of Blackwood ownership, While the original sections of the two-story farmhouse date to the 1820s and 1840s, the present exterior appearance can be characterized as a 1920s bungalow. An initial assessment of the house and outbuildings by Tina Moon (Preservation Planner) is provided as Attachment E, Recommendations from the Historic Historic Blackwood Farna -Interim Stewardship Plan (D1ZAF'T) D Preservation Commission for future use of the house and building complex aze provided as Attachment F. West of the farmstead there is a large pond (about 3 acres) held in place by an earthen dam, approximately 200 feet long, The south side of the pond is bordered by one of the larger farm fields; thick woodlands shelter the northern shorelines, Northeast of the fannhouse there is a small orchard of ftuit and nut trees, There are apple trees, figs, pear, persimmon, and three large pecan trees along the driveway. A huge magnolia tree stands tall in front of the fazmhouse along with several large maples. The remains of an old road can be seen running through the property and in front of the fannhouse, Formerly a main north-south road between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill (prior to Old NC 86), the roadbed now exists as a linear depression (about 15 feet wide) across a portion of the field and through the woods, The property also includes an overgrown graveyard thought to have been for slaves that worked on the farm prior to the 1860s, Only a handful of unmazked stones are now visible within a groundcover of periwinkle in a wooded area of the property. 2. Stewardship and Monitoring Activities at Blackwood Farm A. Since Acquisition Posti~:g boundaries All property boundaries have been posted by ERCD staff to inform adjacent landowners and passersby that this is County-awned land, The boundaries are marked with signs and with painted bands around trees. "Parkland Boundary" signs (5 %2" x 5 %Z") were posted at regulaz intervals, Those signs note that hunting, motorized vehicles, and camping are not allowed, "No Hunting" signs (11" x 11") were also posted at entrances, along roadways and at other strategic locations. There is also an informational sign about the property along New Hope Church Road (see below), Examples of those signs aze provided as Attachment O. Security There are two entrance driveways leading into the property from public roads. The main entrance from NC 86 is secured by a metal gate, which was installed by ERCD to replace an earlier chain and padlock system, A second gate was installed across a southern entrance to the property from New Hope Church Road. That entrance is only used to access the hayfields with tractors and other farm equipment. In 2003 ERCD installed a wood rail fence along a 600-foot section of the southern boundary that fronts on New Hope Church Road, An information sign informs people that that the future pazk is not yet open for public use pending site planning, design, and facilities, When it became evident that trespassers were occasionally entering the property from New Hope Church Rd through an adjacent private property, ERCD had 4 Historic Blackwood F¢rna -Interim Stew¢rdship Pl¢n (DRAFT) that accessway blocked in conjunction with the landowner (Kenneth Strayhom), Public Works blocked the opening with a guazdraih To secure the farmhouse, ERCD maintains an alarm system that had been installed by the previous owners. When that system is activated, a series of contacts are made to ERCD, the Sheriff or the neazby 911 Center. There have been some instances where people have entered the property and been found by staff "just looking around" or fishing at the pond. Appazently, some people from the area had been accustomed to entering the property (with or without the permission of the elderly Blackwood sisters) to hunt, fish, or pick fruit from the orchard, Since 2002, ERCD has used the Blackwood farmhouse as office space for as many as three staff. That weekday, on-site presence has probably deterred some potential trespassers, but there have still been occasions where people have entered the property after hours or on weekends, The chain used to lock the gates has been cut two or three times. The only theft occurred in 2004 when a piece of County parks maintenance equipment that was being stored on the property was stolen from the garage, There have been no other known break-ins or theft from the property. Farmhouse Repairs Several needed repairs were made to the farmhouse in 2002-0.3 by the Public Works and Information Services deparhnents to make it suitable for ERCD as temporary office space, The electrical system needed some new wiring and receptacles to bring it up to code, The heating and air conditioning systems were replaced, which also required a stonemason to repair a basement wall, Finally, a new computer server and wiring were installed to link the temporary offices in the house to the County's computer network, Groundskeeping Beginning in 2002 ERCD contracted out the seasonal grounds keeping within the farmstead area. From April to October the grass is mowed and trimmed around the house and outbuildings. ERCD staff regularly picks up downed tree limbs and debris from around the house. Staff workdays were held in 2002 and 2003 to rake and haul away leaves from azound the house, [In 2004, however, the contractor picked up the leaves.] A neighboring farmer, Mr, Bob Strayhorn, has tended to the agricultural fields for at least two decades. When the County acquired the property in 2001, the purchase contract specified that Mr, Strayhom would be allowed to harvest the next season's hay from about 50 acres that he tended for the Blackwoods for many years, Since then, Mr, Strayhorn has continued to mow the hay twice annually in exchange for assistance and advice on upkeep matters and providing "another set of eyes" on the property, Mr, Strayhorn has a special relationship with the property, having spent much of his youth on Blackwood Farm and learning about farming from Herbert Blackwood, He helps watch over the property and is a source of useful guidance for its upkeep, Following storms, Mr. Strayhorn removes tree limbs that often fall into the fields from the surrounding forest, including several hours of cutting and hauling after Hurricane Isabel. He informed the Historic Blackwood Farm - Interim Stewardship Plan (DRAFT) IQ County that there was an obstruction in the pond's overflow pipe that was causing other problems for the dam. [The darn has since been repaired.] Dan: Repairs The lazge pond is held in place by an earthen dam located at the western end of the pond. The dam includes an overflow pipe and an emergency spillway to accommodate high rainfall events. After an alert from the farmer who tends the fields, unusually high water levels were observed in the pond, leading ERCD to call on experts from the Orange NRCS/Soil & Water Conservation office to evaluate the dam, S&W staff confirmed that the overflew pipe was blocked, and called in their district engineer for further evaluation. The engineer recommended removing the obstruction, relocating the emergency overflow spillway, and clearing all trees and shrubs from the face of the dam. ERCD worked with the County Engineer, Erosion Control Division, and Recreation and Parks staff to develop a scope of work for the necessary repairs. After obtaining approvals from the appropriate State and Federal agencies, ERCD hired a local contractor (Roy Wilkerson) to make the recommended repairs and improvements in accordance with an NRCS guidance document from the S&WCD engineer. The repairs were completed in December 2004. Forest Management and Stewardship Plma In 2003 ERCD had a Forest Management Plan and a Forest Stewazdship Plan prepared for Blackwood Farm by the NC Forest Service and consulting forester Stephen Daniels. Both plans were coordinated and paid for by the NC Forest Service. The detailed plans identify same short-term needs, including controlling exotic species, thinning a 30-acre pine stand, and repairing a damaged culvert. Long-term recommendations include developing foot trails, erecting nest boxes, and improving the composition of trees in sections of the property. None of these activities have been pursued to date. Cultural Interpretation Over the past three yeazs ERCD has gathered a good deal of information about the Blackwood Farm property from vazious sources, including farm records, land ownership records, and old maps and aerial photos. Much of this information will be useful for site interpretation once the pazk is open to the public. There are also many tangible pieces of history leftover from the farm. When the property was acquired in 2001, the Blackwood family "loaned" many of the old farm tools and machinery to Orange County for an indefinite period. Those items remain stored in the house and outbuildings for future site interpretation, Some of the items were on display during the Agricultural Heritage Festival in September 2003. In 2002, ERCD enlisted the help of the UNC Southern Oral History Program to conduct an oral interview of Nannie Blackwood. Ms. Blackwood sat for two hours describing her family and their experiences nn Blackwood Farm and in the New Hope community. [Nmmie Blackwood passed away in late 1004.] An excerpt from Ms. Blackwood's interview is provided as Attachment H. Robert Strayhom was also interviewed because 6 Historic Blackwood Farm -Interim Stewardship Plan (D.IiA.FT) ~' of his lifelong association with the farm. ERCD and UNC's Southern Oral History Program maintain tapes and written transcripts from both interviews. B. Current Activities Site Monitoring ERCD includes Blackwood Farm on its list of properties that receive regular monitoring throughout the year. Although the house continues to be used for temporary office space, the outlying azeas are not seen on a weekly basis, The property is walked on a bi- monthlybasis to check for evidence of any unwanted uses or encroachments from neighboring properties. Written site reports are prepared and maintained by ERCD, Structure Repairs and b~¢provements A list of short-term needs for the farmhouse and outbuildings was prepared in 2003 by ERCD in collaboration with the County Engineer and Recreation & Parks. A building contractor was hired to complete the first "emergency" phase of those repairs by summer 2005, Funding proposed in the upcoming CIP would be allocated toward the completion of this initial effort to weatherproof and stabilize the house and outbuildings, including the large bam, to help prevent further deterioration, C, Needed Future Activities Archaeological and Cultural Survey Prior to the design phase of future parks, ERCD contracts with experts to conduct a comprehensive archaeological and cultural survey of the property, A survey will be especially useful at Blackwood Farm, which features a number of historic and cultural resources, including the farmstead complex, the old Hillsborough-Chapel Hill roadbed, and cemetery. The survey will produce information useful far interpreting the. This type of survey would normally occur after the Board of Commissioners has set up a design committee and process, Biological Survey/Inventory Prior to the formal planning and design of public facilities for this property, ERCD will develop an inventory of significant biological resources found on this property. That information will augment the existing information compiled by ERCD staff, including the presence of an identified natural azea as documented in the Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats, for Orange County, Topographic Survey A detailed topographic survey of the property will be needed prior to the planning/design phase of the property, This survey will be used for the siting of facilities and infrastructure intended for the future park, and would be initiated at the appropriate time, Repair and Maintenance of Farm Structures A list of short-term needs for the farmhouse and outbuildings was prepared by County staff in 2003. While the more immediate "emergency" short-term repairs are underway, Historic Blackwood Farm -Interim Stewardship Plon (DRAFT) ~a the buildings, particularly the farmhouse, will likely require significant renovation work once the future use of the property is determined. All of the buildings- the existing farm buildings as well as any potential new buildings constructed for future uses-will require along-term maintenance plan, The dam for the pond will also require regular monitoring and maintenance in accordance with NRCS guidelines. Site Clemiup There aze a few neat piles of tires, old farm equipment and other materials located just inside the forest east of the orchard. There are also some scattered fence posts and old wire that will need to be removed prior to the site being opened for public use, Forest Management The NC Forest Service and a consulting forester have recommended that Qrange County consider "thinning" the 20-acre loblolly pine plantation located northwest of the pond and another 10-acre pine stand west of the pond. Those trees were planted over 25 yeazs ago and thinning is long overdue, The pines are overcrowded; cutting some trees would enable the remaining trees to grow larger and allow the growth of ground vegetation. No action will be taken without Board input and authorization, Exotic Species Removal A few areas on the property have invasive exotic species that should be managed properly. They are Japanese grass (Microstegium vimineurn), Privet (Ligustrum spp.), Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), ERCD has discussed the potential control and/or removal of those species with trained personnel from the NC Botanical Garden and Cooperative Extension. 3. Uses of Blackwood Farm A. Current Uses of the Propert~(since acquisition) The following uses of the property have occurred since the County's acquisition of the Blackwood property in December 2001: - ERCD satellite offices (3 positions) - Recreation and Parks equipment storage (formerly -now moved) - Hay production from 50 acres - Agricultural Heritage Festival / Festiva] of the Autumn Moon (Sept, 2003) - Blackwood family farewell dinner (June 2002) - Eagle Scout project (construction of chimney swift house neaz pond) - Sheriff's office training exercises - NC Forest Service training exercise B. Possible Future Uses Blackwood Farm was acquired for a future park site that would feature the historic farmstead (e.g., exhibits, fazm demonstrations) and some ]ow-impact recreation areas Historic Blackwood Farm - Znterinz Stewardship Plan (DRAF"L') ~ 3 (e.g., picnic areas, trails). It is expected that those potential uses will be explored more fully by a pazk planning/design work group or like mechanism established by the Board of Commissioners at a future time. A new timetable for park design processes is being developed, and some thought has been given to a design project for the site in 2006 has been broached in a preliminary way, The following potential uses of the property have been identified thus far by county staff and from members of the public who have volunteered ideas: - Historic working/demonstration farm - Low-impact park - County offices (Parks, other?) - Agricultural Center - Nature and Environmental Center - Contra dance hall 6. Conclusion Blackwood Fazm has many natural and cultural attributes that will be featured once the site is opened for public use and enjoyment. In the meantime, Orange County is responsible for assuring that those resources are protected through careful and active stewazdship of the property. This interim stewardship plan describes the needs that have been identified thus far for the care and upkeep of the property. Further ideas and suggestions are welcome, and maybe sent to Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager, Orange County ERCD, P.O, Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 or by email at rshaw@co.orange,naus. 7. List of Attachments A. Newspaper story of Orange County's acquisition of Blackwood Fazm B. Aerial orthophoto of Blackwood Farm (Spring 2003) C. Natural area description (New Hope Church Road Basic Forest) D. Photos of Blackwood farmhouse and outbuildings E. Initial staff assessment of Blackwood farmhouse and outbuildings F. Historic Preservation Commission recommendations G, Boundary signs posted at Blackwood Farm H. Excerpt from 2002 interview of Miss Nannie Blackwood Orange Com:ty ERCD February 200.5 .~~~~M~~n- ~~- _ it - C. ~. c uy Kristy Shumaker Orange County's Environment krisry. cluunukcr(7ncwsofnrunge cnm and Resource -Conservation The Orange County Board of division. The property also con- Commissioners last week tainsanawralhcritagesite-sig- approved acontract to purchase nificant for its plant life - a farmland located at the intersec- three-acre pond and two streams Lion of New {-tope Church Road that Flow through the farm and and N.C 8C for $2,064,000, or into Ncw liope Crcck, about a $13,609 per acre, mile to the southwest. The property is owned by A portion of the property was David Dlackwood, a trustee who sold in 1988 for construction oP lives in Cary, and Nannie and Interstate 40, as was another Mary Blackwood, who currently portion for construction of New reside on the property. Nannie Hope Elementary_School, Iocat- and Mary are the youngest of ed across N C. Hwy. 86. eight children of Herbert and "This purchase is another tri- Alice Blackwood, who `bought, umph for our award-winning the farm in 190Cz. Lands Legacy program, cspe- The land, which dates back to cially since the Blackwood the Revolutionary War, will be ~. property contains so many cle- used for a county park. menls of that program within its Most 9f the original farm boundaries: natural areas, park remaihs intact, including the and recreation sites, farmland farmhouse -with portions dat- and a historic location," .said ing back to 1827, according to David stanch, director of See Park, Page 3A co~E2~ The News of Orange County, Hillsborough, NC, Wednesday, December 19, ~~6°~S _. ___ .. continued from Page 1A Commissioner Alice Gordon "We are very pleased that Orange County citizens will be able to enjoy this magnificent park for years to come." ,y. N ~„ County staff identified the ,~ 1 + + ~ <~d,;, s ' ~ property as a prime location for ~ z ~~ s~`~ g +~ 11,n, ~ F 4 active and low-impact recreation ~ ae~~~ `"" ~ ~ 'r~Y t .: .?-'~` T'++4"' -' noting that the current and for- _ ~ "-4. - - ~~~ mer agricultural fields could `'r° ~ i *a+ ~~'' "1~1iis ptirc~aase ~ ~~"j ,~ Y.. ' ~. ~,r~ ~~. ~ ~ ,.,,....~ is another ~ ~a z„ ~,~ ~ ~. ~', - .-r ,,. triumph for '~ ~; - {~ i ~ ~t. aM1 P.2, Y +f ? , ottr Lands ti~~w~~~~ ~` ~ ~, ~.~U ,l -; // , Y~r~-~{r-~3P u ~,'`~* :- j ~ ~,~~ 11 ,~ 1. LegacJ program ~~ r~~~~~+'~~ `?~~; <~.,,~,;~' .~ ~~- ,i~ ~ '1 a~+ ~'1 ` ~;; ~~ t~ ~ `~ ,m support playing fields without {{, ' ° wn,; ~~ ~ Il~r~ ~ 1 ~ , saCIIflCing historic features SUCI7 ~~~3iy +~~~'~~i~~ ~r ~ 1 ~~t ~ ~~ ~ i I h ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ '~ ~ 5 aS Old rOadwayS and VIStaS, Whlle ~^~ i,71;' ,~~4k e~+~ ~ ~ ~ ~,. ,~, r ~i 1.r~ ~~~ . ,y r ~ ~ i.; ' \, +;~ , ~,: open areas wind provide picnic ~~i71A ; pa . -i' , g`: ~~ ?r: - ?'+., ~'!' ~< <-.a:; ~ + r ~ ',' ~~ a 1; ` and children's play areas. Ripar- Photo courtesy of Orange County Environment & Resource Conservation ran areas could accommodate walking trails, while other por_ Pickrmd is the pond located on the " bons of the property would re- I31acl;wood family f arm at the in- main entirely natural.. tcrsection of New F{ope Church Staff also suggested that the Road and N,C. I{wy. 86, Orange County recently purchased the house and other structures be property for about $2 million. turned into a museum similar to Duke Homestead, a caretaker's The property had been farmed residence, or a park superinten- by the Blackwood, Craig, and dent/ranger residence. Farm Straylrorn families since the buildings could be used to house 1700s. exhibits demonstrating tradi- "This is one of the most sig- tional farming practices. ^ificant land purchases made by "Acquisition of the historic Orange County, one that wilt Blackwood property is another " serve all the citizens of Orange great coup far Orange County, County for many, many years to said Barry Jacobs, chair of the come," said Commissioner Board of County Commission- Steve Ilalkiotis ers. "This property is perfectly situated to provide easy access "We greatly appreciate the for citizens from both the north- Blackwood family's willingness ern and southern parts of the to help retain a part of Orange county and is well-suited to ac- County history," Stanch said.. live and low-impact recreation. "Without the family's civic- What's more, we've managed to minded interest in seeing tlreir preserve a valuable part of our farm conserved as a public park, natuml and rural heritage and one this truly remarkable purchase of the county's loveliest vistas would not have been possible " to boot" prAttachment B ~.. $T1 1 5-M'+'mA ..7'A.4 ~ }a j^n+~. ~ -rn-••--~~++ ~ 4t ~~~'rl''~• li x~, `Y f t x~r` T Z ~~I~'*lia .~ 'yt~• ~ 4 t r t .: '~1 { i!bj'.41 , ~y9T`Y ~"k i,., l S.''}` #a'P^ ~:"~ ikt~'t , ~ +}artl 7eW Y~ r~~ ' ~~ ~t5~.x, y, .,y. ``»i'in E~ 4 ~,~(Sfi 0 +H -a"~ 4t1 1 +~ F 5Y'o r z ~ if x . 1 r _ ', 11~ ~ {4 r ~~h~r}41, t,1~ k~~PS?16''`~f G.`F+y"~~E+} i !.{''i6a i"'~ ~i~t~' ' •~~ bt97 '' 1 i"~~Y~ritl ~' ()~.f ,.c 5~ n~ i 4t T~~ ~k,'v ~.rr1~'A"iE?'~~~1~ 1~[q'~" ~ ~ ~ t~ ~ `rip, J » ~ )14~i}~~~il-,.1 'c r~ ~ {,A `i~Tr . i~1 f l~,y t S 4. 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'~ A .y r i, a~ ~{ ~jy`r r 5SS ~r ~ ~ yrk r~ 'M i ~ d w t ` i .~"" 1 d~ A~~~n ~ 1 .. ~p.Y ~+~~ ~n ~ ~~ r~.1:# 1~j~i i5 e~It~tA ~p ~~'ti tl~ ?~~~A~~ X75 tn~ Y~,,_,~.x` `~ t ~~ :f ~ .,~~~Itr~ ~ ~~ r `~" ~~~1~~.,".~ "'k~fil3i;~~"n~~t e''~{~~~y~~fi~~~w ~.,1t'~5~'~~Y~'~~~s" ~~,3~{~jtr}t, ~ tr~'p, ~'7 t.~ r~u/E•A-,. '"..m~Al~~.y~ t:: 1. ~`t ~ ~ ~,it~11~t1 n.'1~ ~FiGJ^w y~t~'~tl+~~l'A'- Aa~`S.''y~ .~ [[t~t tt '' . ., .. r@~'c6"~'~.'.f'.no .1~~:f'~ Blackwood Farm 100®0 Feet A j~J Natural Areas Blackwood Farm O cm~rv dom~a= Streams ~~ EnNlonmenl6 Remu¢c Cmurvalbn plytlmenl 2003 Orthophoto "'"1PS '~°~~ bn+enror'y aJSignificant Natural Areas and N'rldlife HnGitnts Qrmtge County, NC Or°ange County Natural Areas Inventory NEW HOPE CHURCH ROAD BASIC FOREST Updated 2004 Site Number: N08 Size: 18 acres Site Significance: County Attachment C 7 ~/ USGS Quad: Hillsborough SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Several outcrops of basic rock and the surrounding terrain afford habitat for basophilic plant species. A large population of a state rare plant, Bush's sedge (Cared bushii), occurs in the powerline just south of New FIope Church Road. NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Dry Oak-Hickory Forest GENERAL DESCRIPTION: At the top of the northwest-facing slope along this section of New Hope Church Road, several outcrops of gr-eenstone (a basic rock) were exposed in 1988. Ranging in size up to tluee meters square, they allowed for sunny openings, which are inhabited by several basophilic and open woodland herb species, including clematis (Clematis ochroleuca) attd wild indigo (Baptisia tinctor•ia). The forest canopy growing on the Enon soil of this gentle knob is dominated by white oak (Qrrercas alba) and northern red oak (O. rubs), and numerous red cedar°s (.Irmiper us vir°girzi~na) reflect the dry and basin conditions ofthis site. Red cedar also occurs in the subcanopy along with redbud (Cerci,r canadensis), another basophilic species. As the slope descends towards the northwest and follows the I-40 right-of-way, the forest canopy grades into a mature dry oalo--hickory forest, though red cedar is still an important component of'the subcanopy. The 2002 survey revealed that this forest is maturing and the canopy has closed, such that sunny openings are now non-existent. No openings or rocky glades were found. This may result in the loss of some herbs or shrubs that require high levels of sunlight. The only place where such species were found was in the narrow powerline. MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION: This site is located within Che Rural Buffer zoning district. A northern portion of the site is protected by Orange County as part of the historic Blackwood Farm (future park and preserve).. A small souther7~ section was fragmented by the relocation of New Hope Church Road in the early 1990s and, therefore, carved out of the site boundaries. The majority remains undeveloped and in private ownership. The forested slopes on the east side of the interstate, along with the area of outcrops should be managed as a natural area. Any "green strip" along the interstate should incorporate not only the forests adjacent to the road bttt also this lamb to the east. OWNERSHIP: Orange County; private REFERENCES: Watkins, J. 1974. Pages 96-97 In A. E. Radford, ed. 1976. Vegetation, Habitats, Floras: Natural Areas in the Southeastern United States --Field Data and Information. Department of Biology, UNC Chapel Hill, NC. 233 Blackwood Chapel Hill Township TMBL 7.9..2 5` a.~ /,[ dC~' f fi 'J v,ry'TG,~. i 4~ Y 1S7 f F .N ..r "Y' r>~~tlC~, SFhf" s~ '~~i' ~. t ~ °F t F ya~ fX ~ qyy ~; ~ ~ l / 1' '~- /F r, .. ~}7Tf1'c~{naENT j _! A ri r /,~Yt '~ 1~;+1' nnn ® 1998 Qrthophotography n nnn cnn c....,.F Orange County Environment & Resource Conservation Department a .._. _,_ Map 2 Blackwood Chapel Hill Township l~ TMBL 7.9..2 /~ orange County Q.(~ n Q.n ~(~ FP.Pt' l Environment&Res Blackwood ProperLv as Chapel Hill Township House (1) East Elevation (fa4ade) North Elevation Southwest Elevation South Elevation Blackwood Prot~ertv Chapel Hill Township Outbuildings Well House (2) Milk House (4) Smokehouse (3) Chicken House (5) a~ Crib (6) Blackwood Pro er x as Chapel Hill Township Outbuildings Milking Shed (7) Barn (8) Garage (9) Blackwood Property Chapel Hilt Township Outbuildings Equipment Shed (10) Attachment E Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department MEMORANDUM To: Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager From: Tina Moon, Preservation Planner Date: February 7, 2005 Subject: Blackwood Farm Craig-Strayhorn-Blackwood House (OR 457) Copies: David Stancil, Environment & Resource Conservation Director This memo is an update of my initial assessment of the Blackwood Farm building complex, dated March 15, 2001 based on the additional information that staff has collected over the past few years from chain of title research and more in-depth inspections of the buildings. Significance The two-story frame house is characterized by two prominent features, a circa 1920s bungalow facade and a pair of stone chimneys on the east (side) elevation--one dated 1827 the other 1840. The oldest portion of the house, the front block served by the substantial 1827 chimney, was likely constructed for Samuel Stayhorn who purchased three sizable tracts of land between 1815 and 1817. Family members have always assumed that this original building was a log house because of the log floor joists visible in the cellar and the popularity of log construction in Orange County. (A closer look in the cellar, however, reveals the solid sill and corner braces of timber frame construction.) This original frame dwelling probably consisted of two rooms, separated by a plank partition, and a small loft above. It was likely enlarged around 1840 with the addition of two shed rooms to the rear and the construction of the second stone chimney. The property passed through three generations of the Strayhorn family until Herbert and Alice Blackwood, parents of Nannie Blackwood, purchased the farm in 1906. The Blackwoods were responsible for the significant renovations in the first half of the twentieth century, which nearly doubled the size of the house and gave it its present appearance. The additions probably occurred in two phases: first, the roof was raised to a full second story; and second, the exterior was updated with a bungalow facade. The one-story rear kitchen ell was probably also added as part of the second, 1920s, renovation. The interior was updated again in the 1940s, and later, when the back porch off of the kitchen was enclosed. The existing house reflects the Blackwood period of ownership. The wide board, post-and- lintel mantel in the rear room displays a popular vernacular Greek Revival Style and probably dates to the 1840s. The large mantel in the front room and the brick mantel in the second story room above, however, are typical of the early twentieth century. Part of the original seckion of the house, the large front room contains the front door and probably was used as the parlor or living room. This room would have received the most up-to-date architectural ~4 Blackwood Parm Page 2 a 5 detailing. Other features visible throughout the house, the narrow beaded sheathing on the ceilings and the slightly wider board sheathing on the walls, are all factory-produced material typical of the first half of the twentieth century. The Blackwood House exemplifies the evolution of a modest farmhouse over a course of almost two hundred years. It would be inappropriate, however, to interpret the house in its present condition as an early nineteenth-century dwelling. If the new material was simply applied aver the old, it may be possible to remove the aluminum siding and sections of the interior sheathing to reveal an earlier finish. Care should be used to ensure that removed material, particularly the tongue-and-grove wood sheathing, could be reapplied if necessary. Another option would be to remove only enough fabric to determine the evolution of the house, and then display that evolution through a series of drawings and informational text rather than to try to restore the house to an earlier period. The early twentieth-century character of the house and its outbuildings does not reduce its importance to the architectural history of Orange County. The house tells an important story in its existing condition. It documents the success of one local family to undertake a substantial renovation project to update an older house to reflect current architectural trends. Many earlytwentieth-century houses were constructed in rural Orange County based on the influence of the Arts and Crafts period, particularly the side-gable bungalow form characterized by its large front dormer over a front porch. (The Craig-Blackwood House (OR 452) located nearby serves as another example of this process where an older vernacular house was updated with bungalow features.) The Herbert Blackwood farm is also valuable because of the number of outbuildings that survive; it still reads as an early twentieth- century farm. Potential Use It is always important to evaluate the structural condition of any building before considering its use or reuse. It is even more critical when evaluating alder structures to consult with a preservation expert, someone who specializes in historic buildings--their repair and maintenance. The first step is to ensure that the buildings are weather-tight and structurally sound (particularly the sills and foundations). As long as the buildings are stable they can be "moth-balled" for a reasonable amount of time. Plans to reuse the house and outbuildings should take into account initial repair requirements as well as maintenance needs. Different uses such as a county office, a retreat center, a museum, or a caretaker residence would have different requirements. Fire protection is also an important consideration. The Blackwood Farm is clearly an important part of Orange County's local heritage. The surviving outbuildings provide a rare glimpse into the lives of rural farmers during the first half of the twentieth century. The house documents the efforts of local residents to update their buildings, particularly their houses, based on current architectural trends. It is important to preserve the house and its surrounding outbuildings in a way that will maintain their earlytwentieth-century character. li:AParlsVDlad~wood (ldew i-lope)\StewzirUshi~7\sCarr Analysis B~aclavood-update doc ~,"°""' nr co,, Attlchment F ~ ~~9 Aj ~- ;~ a~ ;;, :}ar`J etc"`, `gyp HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Memorandum To: Barry Jacobs, Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners From: Betsy Underwood, Chair, Historic Preservation Commission Date: June 10, 2002 Subject: Blackwood Farm On behalf of the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission (HPG) I would like to thank the Board of Commissioners for recognizing the importance of the Blackwood Farm as an irreplaceable local resource, and including it among the County's recent acquisitions. Few other sites provide such a link to our architectural and agricultural heritage within such a scenic setting, and we share the Agricultural Preservation Board's assessment that the Blackwood Farm is a special place worthy of preservation. While our appreciation of the site extends to its agricultural legacy our focus is on preserving the house and supporting building complex within its rural context. While the Blackwood farmhouse does not retain the integrity of the house at the Cate property, it exemplifies the common evolution of many Orange County houses. Built with local materials, the original core dwelling was a log structure with a sturdy stone chimney, The house was enlarged two-to-three more times with a series of additions to the rear. Finally during the Blackwood period of ownership, entire house was updated to reflect the popular side-gable bungalow form with the addition of a large front dormer.. The "period of significance" for the Blackwood house is around 1920-1940 because the existing building reflects the Blackwood ownership and expansion, the character of the original sections of the house, which date to the 1820s and 184os, are no Ienger visible except for the dates in the chimneys. The early twentieth-century character of the house and its outbuildings does not reduce its importance to the architectural history of Orange County, however. The house tells an important story in its existing condition, in that it documents the success of one local family to undertake a substantial renovation project to update an older house to reflect current architectural trends. The Historic Preservation Commission discussed many potential uses for the building complex at their joint site visit in April with the Agricultural Preservation Board and the Planning Board and at their May and June meetings. The HPG shared many of the APB's ideas for using the property for agricultural education and rural heritage purposes, while B/ackwood Farm Preservation Plan Page 2 a-r retaining the historic character of the house and building complex (which will require some restoration and long-term maintenance). The HPC also focused on the importance of preserving the historic roadways, and other components of the traditional landscape, We assume that the Board of Commissioners will establish a planning committee to develop program for the Blackwood property, and would Tike the opportunity to participate in this process and have a seat on the committee. Our role as the Historic Preservation Commission is not only to identify important cultural resources but also to advise the Board on strategies to protect them.. We are grateful for the purchase of this significant tract and would like to volunteer to participate in the planning process as appropriate, Attachment H a~ Excerpt from interview of Miss Nannie Blackwood (January 31, 2002) Nannie Blackwood: This used to be sort of called an inn, what you'd cal] an inn. People stayed here over night. The old country road is right out there in front, Now, you can see where the old road was. Kerry Taylor: So this was an inn for travelers a long time ago, NB: Yeah, an inn for travelers a long time ago. I don't know what year it was, KT: But that was all before your time, of course. NB: Oh sure it was, It was before my mother and daddy ever got marred. KT: Now, I'm wondering did you know like your grandparents? NB: I never knew, all my grandparents died before I was born. KT: They had passed, NB: The last had passed away in 1912, and I was born in 1913. Some of my older sisters maybe remember a little something about my grandmother, but I don't. KT: Right, Your father, was he born in North Carolina? NB: My father was born down at a place called Blackwood Station, and that's on down off the railroad. After my daddy bought this place here, some of his brothers sort of wanted him to go back to Blackwood Station where he was born and run their little post office and little country store. So my daddy moved back there for nine months, and he was miserable my mother said, So he moved back up here. David Blackwood: You know where Blackwood Station is? NB: Right there by the railroad, DB: Across the railroad tracks on 86 going back to Chapel Hill is Blackwood Station. NB: The mail office is a little farther down the road because I used to pickup the mail and take it to the post office for him, KT: So was your father sttictly a farmer? NB: Yes. Strictly a farmer. KT: Tell me about what he grew on the property and-- NB: Well, we had, we sort of had a small dairy too, We had everything in the vegetable line, corn and sweet potatoes here, We had sweet potato house built one time that got burned. That was one that Bob Strayhorn and my daddy stayed in a lot. Bob said he ate potatoes, and my daddy talked anyway. He was just a boy. It was burned. I don't remember what yearn was burned. Because we had corn, potatoes and anything in the vegetable line we had, We also had a little dairy, and on Fridays he would go to town with vegetables and also milk and butter in Durham, He always went to Durham for his-- DB: Eggs. You grew ( ), Sold eggs. NB: Eggs and chickens and sometimes when they wanted chickens, DB: They grew the crops mainly were corn and oats and wheat to feed- NB: And cotton. DB: Did some cotton. NB: Had a lot of cotton. I had to pick a lot of cotton when I was a child. KT: Is that right? NB: And I hated that job. KT: Whyrs that? Page 1 of 2 aq NB: Because when you pull the cotton out it sticks. The things sort of stick in you. It was a cold job. It was in October. We only had six months school back in there. We had to stay out at least two or three or sometimes a month to pick cotton for my daddy, KT: So for the dairy, where would you take the dairy products? Where were you-- NB: To town in,jugs, We'd have milk in jugs. My mother would mold butter, We had a butter mold, Have you ever seen a butter mold? KT: Um hmm, NB: My mother would mold the butter and wrap it up, and he'd take it to town. Sometimes maybe he might have it in a cooler or something like that, KT: But as far as selling, if most of the crops were used to feed the dairy cattle, right? NB: No. Uh uh, We always sold corn-- KT: You were selling, NB: Snap beans, We would shell butter beans and peas and all those things, They would go to town with them, I had to get on the street and just go down the street and sell them on both sides of the street, KT: So would you go to town as well sometimes to help sell or no? NB: Not very, I went a few times but not much. My brothers went, KT: Then the cotton, when did you stop growing cotton on the farm or your father? Would you have-- NB: Oh I don't know, Mary, do you remember when Papa stopped growing cotton? MARY: I don't know, I don't remember, NB: It's been a long time. KT: But it stopped sometime when you were a young adult maybe. NB: Oh yeah. KT: By the time you were an adult. As far as how about was there any hired help or was this all a family enterprise? NB: Occasionally we had this man, his name was Bohn Cole, KT: John Cole. NB: They used to come over and help on the fields some times, chopping and stuff like that, KT: But for the most part this was a family enterprise, NB: Yeah, mostly family uh huh. But I mean neighbors back in those days helped out each other. We had big wheat, we raised wheat. My daddy raised wheat. We always had a big wheat threshing. We always had a brg corn shucking. They'd pull the corn off the, whatever it grows on. KT: Stalk. NB: Stalk, and then put it out there in a pile. Then they'd have a big day, have a big crowd rn, The women would cook a big dinner down there, and the men would be shucking corn, KT: So you would have kind of a com shuck celebration. NB: Celebration, KT: And invite-- NB: Not all the neighbors, most of the neighbors would have a corn shucking because all the neighbors in this area were farmers. Nobody in this area much ever had tobacco, KT: No tobacco. NB: Very little. KT: Why is that? NB: I think my daddy one time had some tobacco. I think it was because of the land. They thought-- DB: I think the soil wasn't very good. NB: I think the soil was better on north, on the north side of Hillsborough because a lot of people over there sell, Page 2 of 2 Signs Posted at Blackwood Farm Attachment G 30 Future Orange County Park Site The Historic Blackwood Farm was acquired by Orange County in December Zooi, as the site for a future County park. Planning for the park is expected to begin in Zoo4. The farm is being managed for conservation and agricultural uses until such time as the park is designed. For security and conservation purposes, the site is closed to visitors pending park design and construction. For more information, please call the Environment and Resource Conservation Dept. at Z45-2S9o. Thank you: Above: Sign posted on south entrance to property (New Hope Church Road) Above: No Hunting or Motorized Vehicles [Pasted along public roads and selected locations along property boundaries] Right: Parkland Boundary (Posted along all boundaries]