INC NEWS - for immediate release: Tate House Finds a New Home in Old West Durham

[John Schelp]

For Immediate Release 

Tate House Finds a New Home in Old West Durham 

Preservation Durham is pleased to announce that the
historic Tate House at 1704 W Markham Avenue will not
be demolished as once feared.  As of May 18th the
house will have a new address at 1001 Edith Street.  

The move will take place this Sunday between 8:00 a.m.
and noon.  During this time there will be temporary
closures of the 1700-1900 blocks of Markham, the
770-1100 blocks of Ninth, the 2000 block of Englewood
and the 1000 block of Edith.  If you are in the area
during this time, please do not park on the street.

Currently located in the Trinity Heights Local
Historic District, the City/County Historic
Preservation Commission (HPC) denied the application
to have the house demolished in 2007.  However,
legally, the HPC can only stop demolition for one year
unless the property is declared to be of statewide
significance.  Monsein Investments LLC had the right
to tear down the historic house after February 12,
2008.  In January, John Schelp, Old West Durham
president and activist, asked Jeff Monsein if he would
be willing to work with Preservation Durham (PD) to
move the house. He readily agreed and also committed
to help with the hefty cost of the move.  

Monsein allowed a month for PD to find a new owner and
location for the house.  During that time PD received
inquires from hundreds of individuals from as far away
as Vancouver, Canada.  In February a proposal from
John Martin was accepted, based on his ability to move
the house to an appropriate location within a short
time frame.  Of those interested, only a few met these
criteria.  Martin had a vacant lot and had lined up an
excellent contractor, David Parker of Riverbank
Construction as well as an expert house mover, Rich
Swain of Kountry Boy House Moving.  

Originally, John Martin’s plan was to move the house
to a lot he owned in northern Trinity Park. During a
tour of the house with Preservation Durham, Martin and
Parker, all agreed that this lot was not ideal and the
discussion turned to the possibility of another
location for the house.  It would be best if the house
could be located closer and in more of a mill village
setting, like Old West Durham.  At this point Parker
chimed in, "I have a double lot in Old West Durham.  I
had been thinking about building a house there anyway.
 In fact, I already have the lot surveyed to subdivide
it." The house at 1704 W. Markham was very similar to
the house that Parker owned and renovated in Old West
Durham.  The trio then visited Parker’s house and lot.
 It was much more suitable.  At this point Parker
became not only the contractor, but a partner in the
move as well.  

Preservation Durham would like to thank the patience
and cooperation of the owner of 1704 Markham, Jeff
Monsein. It has taken four months to get the needed
approvals and prepare the house and lot for moving,
but on Sunday, it will be a reality.  All totaled, the
move and basic restoration will cost over $100,000,
but this sum is not a bad price for a great historic
house in Old West Durham.

While Preservation Durham is very pleased that the
owner of this house helped with its preservation,
moving houses is an option of last resort.  

Preserving a house in place avoids:  

* Planning, time, effort and expense associated with
moving a house, 

* Compromising the historical context, 

* Compromising the urban area street face pattern. 

* Disturbing community context, and 

* A potential loss of archaeological resources. 

Preservation Durham was founded in 1974 as the
Historic Preservation Society of Durham.  It has been
recognized as one of North Carolina’s outstanding
historic preservation non-profit organizations
striving to preserve Durham's history, architecture
and cultural heritage.  For more information, please
visit www.preservationdurham.org or call (919)
682-3036.  Preservation Durham is located at 200 N.
Mangum St. in downtown Durham.

Carrie Mowry 
Community Development Specialist 
Preservation Durham