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Trips and Travels

Summer means it’s time to travel. With a rich history of North Carolina sites to see, Springmoor has planned quite a few excursions this month and next. Of course, enjoying lunch or dinner with neighbors is always part of the trip’s adventure too. Dining along the way, with the best southern style restaurants on the map, is a must for everyone on the trip.

The Kenan family's Liberty Hall

The Kenan family’s Liberty Hall

Liberty Hall Museum

The 1800’s Duplin County house was once home to the prominent Kenan family. The house has been restored and is now a Southern Historic Landmark Museum. Located in Kenansville, NC, this historical setting with many treasured family collections opened to the public in 1968.
Originally built in 1730, Thomas Kenan’s home has passed through many generations. The first Liberty Hall was furnished with pieces brought over from Europe. After a large fire, which destroyed the original house, Owen Rand, Thomas’ oldest son, rebuilt it. Income from the Liberty Hall plantation was primarily from sales of timber, pinch tar and turpentine.
In 1901, Mary Lilly Kenan and Henry Flagler, one of the richest men in America at the time, were married at Liberty Hall. The wedding attracted international attention. In 1965, Liberty Hall Restoration Commission was formed and Frank Kenan deeded to land and home to the Board of Education in hopes that one day it would become a museum. The guided tour will be filled with many stories from the Kenan family’s history.

The Cowan Museum is home to a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, smokehouse and so much more

The Cowan Museum is home to a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, smokehouse and so much more

Cowan Museum of History and Science

After the Liberty Hall tour and lunch at The Country Squire Restaurant, the group will walk to the nearby Cowan Museum. Founded in 1981 by George and Ila Cowan, it houses the Kelly-Farrier House, a log cabin, general store and a one-room schoolhouse.  With the focus on historical tools and technology, the family’s creativity, resourcefulness and innovation are well documented. A tornado simulator, an alternative fuel fan and a hog oiler are part of the unique items to see at this Duplin County museum.

Interior designer, Jule Korner, filled his house with design ideas for his clients

Interior designer, Jule Korner, filled his house with design ideas for his clients

Körner’s Folly

In late July, Kernersville’s Körner’s Folly is on the agenda. Built in 1880 by artist and designer, Jule Gilmer Körner, this 6,000 square foot house is an eccentric brick dwelling. The house was originally built to serve as his interior design portfolio. Visitors can see elaborate hand laid tile, carved woodwork and cast-plaster details throughout the 22-room house.  No two doorways or windows are exactly alike. There are fifteen different fireplaces and varying ceiling heights throughout the house. Child-sized rooms, an elegant reception room, a library and a sewing room are all part of the elegant Victorian ingenuity of the designer.
Jule Körner studied art in Philadelphia and was first hired as the painter for Bull Durham tobacco. Interior design was his passion and the house, continuing to be updated with his new ideas, was truly never complete. His wife, Polly Alice, was a dedicated seamstress and loved hosting local youth theatricals events. Both of their children were talented musicians, Gilmer a skilled violist and Doré a talented pianist. This artistic house and family history is a tour not to be missed.

The largest display of Jugtown Pottery can be found at the Greenville Museum of Art

The largest display of Jugtown Pottery can be found at the Greenville Museum of Art

Greenville Museum of Art

In 1935, The Women’s Club Arts Festival established a Federal Art Project’s Gallery that has now evolved into the Greenville Museum of Art. With over 17,000 visitors a year, the museum offers numerous lectures, programs and tours. There are three permanent galleries along with several traveling exhibitions located in the classic revival Flanagan Home on South Evans Street.

Kenneth Noland's abtract target art is on permanent display at the museum

Kenneth Noland’s abtract target art is on permanent display at the museum


The Kenneth Noland Gallery opened in 2002. Noland was considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Born in Asheville, his abstract art is sometimes referred to as targets as he painted concentric rings at the center of square canvases. The Francis Speight and Sarah Blakeslee Gallery and the Rachel Maxwell Moore Art Foundation Gallery are also part of the museum’s permanent exhibitions. Eastern North Carolina artists are well represented by these two beautiful galleries. The museum also houses an impressive collection of 20thcentury American art and the largest permanent display of Jugtown Pottery.
Every trip should end with ice cream

Every trip should end with ice cream


We will enjoy lunch at The Scullery in downtown Greenville and a scoop or two of ice cream afterwards at Simply Natural Creamery.  Simply Natural is exactly that! The Moye’s Jersey cows graze and lounge in the natural Greene County pastures and eat natural food grown on the family farm. Neil Moye and his family use this high quality milk to produce a simply delicious ice cream.
The Gregg Museum at NC State University has a beautiful collection of modern furniture

The Gregg Museum at NC State University has a beautiful collection of modern furniture

August Travels

We continue our busy travel and tour schedule in August with a trip to Greensboro’s Barn Dinner Theatre to see The Addams Family. Gomez, Morticia and Uncle Fester will have you laughing and singing along with this ghoulish production. We also plan a tour of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design. Located on the North Carolina State University campus, the museum is home to a collection of over 35,000 objects. Textiles, ceramics, paintings, archaeological artifacts and modern furniture are just a part of the many exhibits at the new expanded Hillsborough Street location.

The sea breeze is wonderful on the Oceanana Pier at Atlantic Beach

The see breeze is wonderful on the Oceanana Pier at Atlantic Beach


A trip to the Angus Barn with a tour of the wine cellar and a beachcombing adventure to Atlantic Beach are also on the calendar. Summer is here. Seafood and sand or ice cream and a quiet afternoon tour of the art gallery, Springmoor’s calendar is filled with summer adventures. And, of course, it’s always more fun with friends and neighbors along for the ride.
We invite you to stop by soon to learn more about the long list of trips, lectures, musical performances, our Wellness Center activities and other exciting amenities offered to our residents. Call 919- 234-7626 to schedule a tour.

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