Harmony Hall (White Oak, North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Harmony Hall
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | W of White Oak on SR 1351, near White Oak, North Carolina |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000925 |
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1972 |
Harmony Hall is a historic home in White Oak, located in Bladen County. It is one of the oldest houses still standing in North Carolina, with a history that goes back to before the United States was a country.
Contents
The Story of Harmony Hall
Who Built Harmony Hall?
Harmony Hall was built in the late 1700s by a man named Colonel James Richardson. He was a soldier who fought for the British in the French and Indian War. For his brave service, he received a large piece of land from King George III of Great Britain.
Colonel Richardson first saw the land after he was shipwrecked near Cape Hatteras. He and his brother had to stay in Bladen County for several months to fix their ship. During that time, he fell in love with the area near the Cape Fear River. After getting his land, he built his home there.
A House Built for a Soldier
The house is a two-story wooden building. It has porches on both floors and a very tall foundation to let air flow underneath. A unique feature is the outdoor stairs that lead from the second floor to the attic.
Inside, the walls are covered with wide pine boards. The fireplace mantels were carved in a popular style from that time, known as the Adam design.
During the American Revolutionary War, Colonel Richardson was captured by the British army. He was paroled, which meant he was released after promising not to fight again. However, he later broke his promise and rejoined the American army to fight for independence.
In 1972, Harmony Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places because of its importance to American history.
The Legend of General Cornwallis
A famous local story says that the British General Cornwallis used Harmony Hall as his headquarters. The legend claims he was planning an attack against the American General Greene.
According to the story, Mrs. Richardson snuck up the outside stairs. She listened to the British plans through a hole in the ceiling. She then sent a message to General Greene, who was able to defeat Cornwallis because of her warning.
However, historians have checked the facts. They found that General Cornwallis and his army were always on the other side of the Cape Fear River. There is no proof that he ever crossed the river to get to Harmony Hall. While the story is exciting, it is likely just a legend.
Harmony Hall Through the Years
The Richardson family owned Harmony Hall until 1865. After that, it was sold and later bought by the Layton family in 1874. The Laytons owned the property for many years.
In 1962, a member of the Layton family gave the house to the Bladen County Historical Society. It was donated as a memorial to honor his parents and Colonel Richardson. Today, a non-profit group called the Harmony Hall Plantation Village Foundation takes care of the house.
What's on the Property Today?
Besides the main house, there are other historic buildings on the grounds. These buildings were moved to the property to create a historic village. They include a schoolhouse, two old-fashioned country stores, a chapel, and a log cabin.
There is also a small cottage and an outdoor kitchen building. These buildings help show what life was like in the past. The family cemetery is nearby, but it is no longer part of the Harmony Hall property.
