Wood Lawn (Mount Mourne, North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wood Lawn
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | SR 1138, near Mount Mourne, North Carolina |
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| Area | 14.3 acres (5.8 ha) |
| Built | 1836 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| MPS | Iredell County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002866 |
| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1980 |
Wood Lawn, also known as Woodlawn, is a historic house built in 1836. It is located near Mount Mourne, North Carolina in Iredell County, North Carolina. This beautiful home is a great example of the Federal and Greek Revival styles.
The house was built by Dr. George Washington Stinson. He was an important person in the area and one of the first leaders, called trustees, of Davidson College. This college was founded in 1837, just a year after Wood Lawn was built. Today, Wood Lawn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
The Story of Wood Lawn House
The original Wood Lawn house had eight rooms. Each room had its own fireplace and a fancy mantelpiece. The house was built with two main floors and a special staircase. This staircase has a spiral-turned handrail made of walnut wood. People believe this handrail was brought all the way from Charleston, South Carolina.
Life at Wood Lawn in the Past
Dr. Stinson's home was a popular spot for students from Davidson College. Not only did he have several daughters, but he also allowed square dancing. This was a big deal because many people, especially the Presbyterians of that time, did not approve of dancing. Dr. Stinson and his wife are buried at Centre Presbyterian Church.
Their son, Edgar Burett Stinson, graduated from Davidson College in 1856. He later fought in the American Civil War. After the war, he came back to live at Wood Lawn. The house stayed in the Stinson family for many years, even into the 1900s.
Changes and New Uses
Over the years, Wood Lawn has been updated. In 1981, a bathroom was added upstairs. Modern heating and cooling systems were also put in. The front porch, which is a key part of the house's look, was also carefully restored.
In 1985, a new part was added to the back of the house. This addition was designed to match the original style. It included a kitchen, a breakfast area, another bathroom, and a deck that wrapped around the house. A carriage house, which was used for horse-drawn carriages, was also built around this time. Later, in the early 1990s, a potting shed was finished.
In 2002, the house and its surrounding land were bought by a new school. This school is an independent private school called Woodlawn School. One year later, the house was renovated again. It became the school's main office building. The school named it Stinson Hall to honor Dr. George Washington Stinson, who built the house so long ago.
