#ThisIsThePlace: Pender’s oldest brick house stands in Burgaw

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — The Pender County Museum calls Burgaw home. The building was built in 1917 and is the oldest brick house in the county.

During the 1920’s and 1930’s the house was used as a tonsillectomy clinic in the summer months. The property was later donated to the Pender County Historical Society and now houses the museum.

“This museum, I think, tells the story of Pender County citizens and their lives,” said Jeanette Jones, the president of the Pender Historical Society.

“There’s something here for everyone,” said Carolyn Whitley, a volunteer at the museum. “And I want to be sure that African American people know that they are represented in this museum as well.”

“I’m fascinated by the barn,” Whitley said. “To see how the place developed and to get to where it is today, for me it gave me background on my heritage, what my family did as farmers.”

Jones was born in Pender County and went to Burgaw High School, but lived elsewhere for 45 years before moving back to Pender County. “When I came back I began to learn a lot about Pender County history and I was just amused and amazed at how great Pender County really is, and I was so glad I was back to enjoy some of the history of Pender County,” Jones said.

“It’s a good place to begin doing genealogy work, there’s always someone to help you,” Whitley said.

There are archives of local family histories on display as well as blacksmith demonstrations on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.