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Saving Jackson County landmark: Hooper House work starts in April

By Lisa Majors-Duff

With more than $120,000 in the bank and a deed in hand, members of the Hooper House Preservation Foundation appear ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

Jackson County commissioners deeded the 95-year-old Victorian home of the late Dr. D.D. Hooper to the foundation Monday (see related story). The 4-1 vote of the board put the property in the hands of a volunteer group dedicated to seeing the house became a headquarters for a county museum, a visitor's center, the Chamber of Commerce and Sylva Partners in Renewal. Plans also call for the house to include a meeting room for use by the community.

Though the official fund-raising campaign has not gotten under way, contributions so far total $121,825. Donors include Harrah's Cherokee Casino, which gave $5,000; Jackson County, $50,000; town of Sylva, $10,000; Chamber of Commerce, $18,000; and an anonymous donation from a Hooper family member of $10,000. The fundation also received a $25,000 Percy Ferebee Endowment Grant, a fund managed by Wachovia Bank. Many others have indicated a willingness to contribute to the effort to save the Hooper House once it became the property of the foundation, said its president, Jay Spiro.

The deed now in the hands of the foundation has a built-in waiting period established before work can begin. The Friends of the Library, which operates a used book store in the Hooper House, and the Public Library Annex have four months to vacate the building. No plans have been announced as to where these agencies will move.

Some work is possible on the exterior of the house in the meantime, said Chamber of Commerce Director Julie Spiro. Preparation of the exterior walls, including any patching necessary, may begin prior to the April 1 construction target date. The color scheme for the exterior has not yet been determined, she said, but foundation members plans to be as true as possible to history when colors are chosen.

David Kelly, owner of Smoky Mountain Paint Center, announced at Monday's meeting that all the paint for the exterior of the house will be donated by Duran Paint Co., a cost savings that could reach as much as $20,000.

Approval for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places is expected in February, Julie Spiro said. Being so distinguished opens more doors for grant money and makes it difficult for the structure to ever be removed, she said.

Once April arrives, phase one of the project will include stablizing the house with repairs to both the foundation and the first floor. A new roof will also be installed. Phase two plans call for repairs to the electrical, plumbing and heating systems, while phase three will concentrate efforts toward beautification of the interior.

Total cost of the project, including a 15 percent contingency on each of the phases, has been estimated at nearly $425,000. That figure, Julie Spiro said, assumes no labor or materials are donated to the project.

Five levels of giving have been set up for pledges to the project. A "Platinum Hammer" will be awarded to those who give $5,000 or more. These contributors will also receive recognition on a bronze plaque located at the entrance to the Hooper House, along with an engraved brick on the Main Street sidewalk in front of the house. "Gold Hammers" ($2,500 to $4,999) and "Silver Hammers" ($1,000 to $2,499) will be recognized with a plaque inside the house, along with an engraved brick.

"Bronze Hammer" contributors ($150 to $999) will be recognized with a framed display inside the house and with a brick. "Iron Hammer" giving ($25-149) earns a letter of recognition and thanks.

Contibutions to the project can be sent to The Hooper House Preservation Foundation, c/o Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, 116 Central St., Sylva, N.C. 28779. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 586-2155 or 1-800-962-1911.

Back to Archive: 12-02-99.