Poplar Grove Plantation needs support to keep doors open

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – In Pender County the Poplar Grove Plantation needs support from the community to keep the property open to the public.

Demonstrations, tours, and special events at the plantation help tell The Foy Family story from the 1700’s.

“There was a tea room in the basement and I would pour water and sweet tea,” executive director Caroline Lewis said.

Lewis and her family opened the plantation in 1980 as a non-profit public charity to preserve that history.

“So people could understand the local Scotts Hill and the role the Foy Family played,” Lewis said.

From the farmer’s market, to the car show, Lewis says this place holds more than just historic memories for its visitors.

“One of the most endearing and heart warming conversations I can have with someone is they come up to me and say, ‘I had my prom here and they have their 4 year old with them,'” Lewis said.

Those are memories from events that Lewis says are mostly free. The plantation survives off of donations, but in 2016 a yearly $350,000 donation from the founder will be cut.

“We need the public’s support,” Lewis said.

Lewis says they have been renovating the Manor house for more than two years and have to keep up with the of the grass and vegetation. Lewis needs more donations, so that she doesn’t have to start charging more.

“The local community push back has been, ‘There is money there,'” Lewis said. “It’s a park and they believe we have funding from outside sources supported by state, county, or even federal dollars, which it is not.”

Lewis will do anything to raise the dollars for one of Pender County’s historic backyards.

“There has been a family commitment to keeping the doors open on this property,” Lewis said.

Lewis hopes to raise the funds in the next 6 months through donations and memberships before she has to start charging more or even turn the property over to the state.

On sunday, the plantation’s Kentucky Derby Party will be from 4 to 8 p.m. She says the event helps to raise awareness for abused horses.