Historic Preservation

The Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel is an all-volunteer, Cary-based non-profit organization with a mission to preserve, promote and share Cary’s history. A forerunner organization, the Cary Historical Society, dissolved in 2006 and transferred their remaining assets to the Friends, and we consider ourselves to be Cary’s historical society.  We raise awareness of preservation issues in the Cary area and work to prevent the loss of our remaining historic resources.

Cary's National Register Historic districts and properties

Thanks to the efforts of the Friends and many others, Cary has three National Register of Historic Places historic districts:

• Downtown Cary National Register Historic District
• Carpenter National Register Historic District
• Green Level National Register Historic District

as well as three properties individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Nancy Jones House
• Page-Walker Arts & History Center
• Utley-Council House

(The Ivey-Ellington House was previously individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places but did not retain that designation when it was relocated in 2023).

Being listed in the National Register of Historic Places indicates that a place is worthy of preservation; however, it does not ensure that a property will be preserved.

For more information about National Register Of Historic Places properties, see the information from the Town of Cary.

Cary's Local Historic Landmarks

The Town of Cary designates Cary Historic Landmarks as a way to preserve buildings that are historically, architecturally or culturally significant to our community. The Town Council considers designation of historic landmarks upon the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission. When a property owner is granted a landmark designation, the owner agrees that exterior changes to the property are subject to design review and approval by the Historic Preservation Commission, in return for the ability to apply for an annual 50% property tax deferral for as long as the property remains a landmark and retains its historical and architectural integrity. Cary currently has twelve landmark properties.

• First Christian Church Cemetery
• Cary Arts Center (former Cary High School)
  
• Sams-Jones House
• Hillcrest Cemetery
• Dr. John Pullen Hunter House
• Guess-White-Ogle House
• Page-Walker Arts & History Center
• White Plains Cemetery
• Carpenter Farm Supply store
• Farmers' Cooperative and Meeting Hall (at Carpenter Farm Supply)
• John L. and Henrie G. Sears house
• Nancy Jones House

Other Preservation Efforts

Many of Cary’s historically significant properties do not have special designations such as being a local landmark or listed in the National Register of Historic Places, but they are important historic resources. The Friends preserve, promote and share the history of all types of historic properties throughout Cary.

We do this in many ways. We present history programs, publish a blog and a newsletter, host events, connect with the community through our website and social media,  and collaborate with other public and private organizations. We’ve accomplished a lot during our more than 40 years as an organization, and helped to preserve many of Cary’s historic resources. We especially are indebted to Phyllis Tuttle, a former president and founding member of the Friends. Phyllis was the driving force behind Cary’s historic preservation for many years.

Please consider joining the Friends, providing a donation or purchasing a commemorative brick to help us pursue our important mission.

To learn more about what you can do to help preserve Cary’s heritage, please contact us at info@friendsofpagewalker.org  or contact any of our partner organizations.