The Hale-Wilkinson-Carter Home Foundation hopes grants will be easier to obtain after the Carroll County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Monday to transfer ownership of the Carter Home from the county to the foundation.

The Carter Home Foundation has leased the historic home from the county for some time, but has had a difficult time obtaining grants in the past because it was not listed as the owner of the property. Elizabeth Huff, Vice President of the Carter Home Foundation, said Monday’s decision should go a long way in helping the group continue repairs on the home and make it continue to grow as a tourist destination point.

“We’re thrilled. We’re hoping that we can take off and get things going,” Huff said. “We think it will be a great thing for the county and the Town of Hillsville. It is a nice landmark and we hope this will allow us to obtain more grants and get more done.”

By taking ownership of the building, the Carter Home Foundation will continue with ongoing renovations on the massive antebellum structure originally built in 1845. Renovations to the bottom two floors of the five-story home, named after local coal baron George L. Carter, were finished enough by late 2009 for the foundation to open it for tours, meetings, and other events.

Before the county’s decision to transfer the property, local citizen and Carter Home volunteer Don Foster spoke up during a public hearing about the group’s dedication in revitalizing the historic home.

“These ladies and this group of people in here tonight have done a phenomenal job over the last couple of years. They have put forth a lot of effort and I think they deserved to be thanked for their efforts by Carroll County,” Foster said. “There will be hardships, there will be challenges ahead of them if this does go through and we receive this contribution. But they have risen to the occasion every single time. It’s been hard, but they have met all the requirements (business developer) Dallas Garrett has set out for them.”

First off, the group pushed hard to make the Carter Home a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Foster said. The snow and winter weather hindered some fundraising efforts over the past couple of months, he said, but the group has plans to continue those efforts throughout the year. They’ve reached out to the community and made sure people know what the Carter Home stands for, Foster added.

“There is so much involved. Number one, they think they can improve some economic conditions in this part of the state and believe they can get people to step forward and make this home a destination point for tourists. I know a lot of people in this county don’t think tourism is the answer, but every time you turn around the state brings in $7 or $8 for every dollar we spend out there,” Foster said. “They basically offer entrepreneurship opportunities for people. Down the road they are going to have some people that will probably be in a paid position there and open the house and keep it open for everybody to see it. Right now they are doing it through volunteers and they do an exceptional job of that.”

Foster said the Carter Home Foundation hopes to increase historical heritage and cultural activities. They will offer Hillsville an opportunity to become a tourism destination point, he added.

“I can’t say enough about this group,” Foster said. “Should you decide to move forward with this, I know they will make you proud and will make Carroll County proud.”

Laurel Fork District Supervisor Andy Jackson made the motion to transfer ownership of the property from the county to the foundation. He said the group has continued to work hard despite trying times. As Commander of the Jubal Early Sons of the Confederate Veterans Camp 1691, Jackson said he knows all too well the challenges that face non-profit organizations.

“I know the work that it takes, and to get what you want (to be to accomplish), you have to have a chance. There are a lot of things I am sure you’d like to do and with what Mr. Garrett put forth, I would think you have a real good chance of succeeding and this will be something we will be proud of,” Jackson said. “Mr. Hale built (the home) in 1845 and it was 1842 they built the Hillsville Military Academy across the street. It is not here, it is lost forever. But (the Carter Home) is still here and it is in real good shape. I for one would like to see it be something we can be proud of. It’s been a real good asset, and it has real good leadership. I’d like to make a motion that we go forward and give these folks a chance to succeed.”

Supervisor Sam Dickson commended the group for their hard work. Sulphur Springs Supervisor David Hutchins asked Dr. Garrett if he believed transfer of ownership would offer the Carter Home Foundation a greater probability of obtaining grants and other funds.

“That is certainly a correct statement,” Garrett responded. “I think this would be a very big success.”

The board then unanimously voted to transfer the property to the foundation, which drew applause from the many Carter Home supporters in the audience at Carroll County High School.

Huff said the foundation currently is going through new directors and advisors among the approximately 25 volunteers involved with the organization. Fundraising efforts continue as a barbecue dinner is scheduled for Friday, March 26 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the home.

The oldest structure in Hillsville, the Carter Home was originally built as a two-story brick home in the 1840s by Fielden Hale. Hale sold the home in the 1860s to James Wilkinson, who paid for it in Confederate currency. At the end of the war, Mr. Hale unsuccessfully sued to get the house back. Wilkinson’s daughter, Mayetta, married George L. Carter, who came into possession of the house in 1909 when Wilkinson died. In the 1920s, Carter added the top three floors to the home and added wrap-around porches and the stucco exterior.