- Carla Michaels is the recipient of Cary’s annual Hometown Spirit Award, designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary.
- Mayor Weinbrecht announced the 2025 winner of the Hometown Spirit Award at a reception held to celebrate this year’s three finalists.
- Michaels, a lifelong Cary resident with deep local roots, embodies a passion for preserving the town’s rich history.
Cary, NC – Carla Michaels is the recipient of Cary’s annual Hometown Spirit Award, designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary by preserving, promoting, and carrying out positive small-town community values and traits. Mayor Weinbrecht announced the 2025 winner at a reception to celebrate this year’s three finalists.
Carla Michaels, a lifelong Cary resident with deep local roots, embodies a passion for preserving the town’s rich history. Her ancestors helped shape Cary centuries ago, and today she continues that legacy through her tireless dedication to historical research and education. As a board member of the Friends of the Page-Walker and a volunteer with the Upchurch and Allied Families, Michaels has spent countless hours uncovering, documenting, and sharing the stories of Cary’s early citizens, landmarks, and cemeteries. Whether leading walking tours dressed as an early 1900s schoolteacher, presenting at lectures, or contributing to local media and town projects like Cary at 150, Michaels brings Cary’s past to life for all ages. Her advocacy for historic preservation has been instrumental in efforts to protect landmarks such as the Nancy Jones House and Ivey-Ellington House, as well as to honor veterans and forgotten historical figures. As a leader in the Daughters of the American Revolution Asbury Station Chapter, she furthers initiatives supporting education, patriotism, and preservation. Known for her warmth, generosity, and humility, Michaels uplifts her community through service, storytelling, and an unwavering devotion to the Cary way of life.
Inspired by a suggestion from a Cary citizen, the Hometown Spirit Award is designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary. In addition, the recipient must exemplify at least one of the following criteria: Helps neighbors and fellow Cary citizens; demonstrates hospitality; promotes and preserves traditional American pastimes; shows a concern for preservation and works to preserve traditions and the small-town atmosphere in the community; promotes a sense of community in their neighborhood and all of Cary; demonstrates patriotism through promotion and preservation of the country’s symbols and dedication to the U.S. military, past and present; and serves the community through business. Cary citizens aged 21 and older were eligible for the award. In addition to Michaels, this year’s nominees included Matthew Gronke and Nancy Haywood.
For more information, visit carync.gov/spirit.
Primary Contacts
If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email 311@carync.gov.
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