LINCOLNTON––The Lincoln County Historical Association is getting some help with preserving an historic home.

According to LCHA President Carole Howell, the group will meet Aug. 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the Court Street Grille to get a check from representatives of the Timken Company. This substantial grant will further the LCHA’s preservation efforts at the Michal-Hoke-Butt-Brown-Pressley House. Located at the corner of West Main and Government streets (202 W. Main St.) and built more than 200 years ago, it was acquired by the LCHA in 2022. The house is a significant part of the Lincolnton West Main Street Historic District and is protected by the National Register of Historic Places.

Howell continued that after the check presentation, attendees will take a tour of the house in its present state. Discussion will pertain to the LCHA’s near-future preservation work and long-term plans, which include installing the first HVAC unit (this work is already completed, as Howell informs), plaster repair, paint analysis and painting.

Built in the 1810’s by Conrad Michal, the house is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in Lincoln County. Over the years, it has passed through several owners, including John Hoke, who was involved in the early 19th-century cotton mill industry. Later owners included drs. Zephaniah Butt, Martin Brown and John Pressley. It eventually passed to Eleanor Rodd Porter, a descendant of Pressley, and the LCHA purchased the home from her.

Howell spoke further of the upcoming event.

“This is not a fundraising campaign for the LCHA,” she explained. “The monies we have earmarked for preservation are entirely separate from our operating budget, and we applied for this grant long before we learned that the County would deny our operational funding.”

Howell also cited Lincolnton’s most famous 19th-century resident, Lorenzo Ferrer, who was actually the French pirate, Jean Lafitte of Louisiana. Dr. Ashley Oliphant of Denver recently rewrote history when the 2021 book she co-authored with mom Beth Yarbrough, Jean Lafitte Revealed, conclusively proved that Lafitte and Ferrer were one and the same. Lafitte owned many properties in Lincolnton, including one a block away in the same neighborhood as the Michal House. But Howell pointed out that he never owned this particular house, which is mostly known for being owned by a series of doctors.

To learn more, consult the Website at www.lincolncountyhistory.com.