Current Preservation Initiatives

Cary staff are continuing to perform routine maintenance on the Nancy Jones House now that the Spring 2025 stabilization and maintenance work has concluded. This work includes the will continued to maintenance, cleaning, and ensuring the site is secure. Staff are performing necessary documentation and research work on the exterior and interior character-defining features in order to determine the most appropriate and meaningful restoration actions that will occur next.

Cary’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will continue to provide further direction to staff regarding the future use and stewardship of the house.

Preservation Timeline

• In 2019, the Cary took ownership of the Nancy Jones House with the intention of relocating it to better preserve the historic house. Since the Cary did not own the property that the house was located on, the only way to ensure its preservation was to relocate it to a Town-owned property.

• In March 2021, the house was successfully relocated to a town-owned parcel approximately 500 feet east of the original site. The house continues to front on Chapel Hill Road, keeping its historic orientation.

As a result of the relocation, the Nancy Jones House has seen many improvements, including the following: 

• Structural Stabilization and Foundation Work: A new foundation and footings were installed to correct and stabilize previously detached chimneys, which are now plumb. Brick shouldering was added for additional support and approved by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Salvaged brick from the original foundation was reused on the new foundation. 
• Moisture Control and Ventilation: The crawlspace was enlarged and fitted with a moisture barrier, and window louvers were added to improve airflow and reduce interior moisture. 
• Restoration of Historic Features: Non-historic additions were removed to restore the home’s historic integrity. The front porch was rebuilt in a historically appropriate style with wood tongue and groove flooring replacing the concrete slab. 
• Interior Preservation: Fireplaces and hearths inside the house were stabilized and restored.  

• In May 2022, Cary received final confirmation that the Nancy Jones House would remain listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  

• In early 2022, Cary's HPC initiated the process to recommend the Nancy Jones House be designated as a Local Historic Landmark. This process included having two HPC members visit the house, assess the house for historic integrity, and report back to the HPC. Following this assessment, a consultant was hired to complete the nomination report. In August 2022, the nomination report was forwarded to the SHPO for review.

• In June 2023, the Town Council unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance designating the Nancy Jones House a Local Historic Landmark.   

• Fall/Winter 2024, The HPC formed a Nancy Jones Use Committee and in November, the HPC voted to recommend a proposal for the house to be used as a “Cary History and Family Research Center." This vote was supported by The Friends of the Page-Walker board who also endorsed the proposed use at their November meeting. The Nancy Jones House Use Committee included three members of the HPC and support from the Friends of the Page-Walker.  

• Winter/Spring 2025, Cary scoped and contracted with a historic preservation restoration company to perform maintenance work to improve and protect the building envelope. Work was completed in late April 2025, and included items such as: installing flashing over some eaves to help prevent water intrusion, removing and replacing exposed and deteriorated weather barrier, adding temporary Hardie Plank siding as needed, improving windowsills, repairing front porch roof decking and shingles, replacing rotted wood, and painting improved areas to seal and improve exterior appearance. Click here to see photographs of the 2025 stabilization work.

Documents

Nancy Jones House Structural Report Summary - This document is an executive summary of a structural assessment report for the Nancy Jones House which was prepared upon completion of the houses move. This document was prepared by Cary historic preservation staff and reviewed by the HPC.

Contact

Rachel Smith, AICP
Principal Planner
(919) 469-4066
Rachel.Smith@carync.gov