Rural preservation in an urban setting : advocating historical significance of the Martindale Farm as a representative of New Hanover County agriculture

UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
LuAnn Margaret Mims (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Advisor
Virginia Stewart

Abstract: This paper, based on oral histories, archaeology, geography and historical records, argues for the preservation of rural properties, specifically the Martindale Farm in Wilmington, North Carolina. As a 19th Century representation of a coastal farmhouse, constructed of local resources in the vernacular style, it is worthy of protection from the encroaching urban sprawl. The farm, placed in context with New Hanover County agricultural history, exemplifies various methods of farming through the lives of four generations of a single family. Oral history with the last living relative of the Martindale family to live on the farm, as well as other local farmers, contribute gender and racial diversity to local rural history, traditionally focused on the port and downtown. Artifacts retrieved from an archaeological excavation lend additional supporting evidence to these oral histories. The property’s geographic location in the hinterland service area of Wilmington contributed to the farm’s economic involvement with the city’s transportation modes and public markets. It is now with the land needs of this expanding Southern city that the house and property come into jeopardy by the zeal of construction developments. Various methods of preservation for the site through recognition designations at the state and local level do not offer total protection, but bring awareness to the situation. This paper advocates shifting the ideals of conservation to include rural sites in local preservation attempts. The Martindale Farm presents a positive model as a case study for rural preservation in an urban environment.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Farmhouses--Conservation and restoration--North Carolina--New Hanover County, Agriculture--North Carolina--New Hanover County--19th century, Agriculture--North Carolina--New Hanover County--20th century, Martindale family, Martindale Farm--Conservation and restoration--North Carolina--New Hanover County
Subjects
Martindale family
Farmhouses -- Conservation and restoration -- North Carolina -- New Hanover County
Agriculture -- North Carolina -- New Hanover County -- 19th century
Agriculture -- North Carolina -- New Hanover County -- 20th century
Martindale Farm -- Conservation and restoration -- North Carolina -- New Hanover County

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