Friends of the Page-Walker

Friends of the Page-Walker Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Friends of the Page-Walker, Nonprofit Organization, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC.
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The Friends of the Page-Walker is an all-volunteer, non-profit membership organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and share the history of Cary, North Carolina.

The porch of the historic circa-1870s Page-Walker Hotel in Cary was the perfect setting for volunteer members of the Fri...
08/22/2026

The porch of the historic circa-1870s Page-Walker Hotel in Cary was the perfect setting for volunteer members of the Friends of the Page-Walker historic organization to greet and engage with guests during the 50th Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival (Cary Art Daze) being held this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Informative and entertaining items featured by the Friends include a "Create Your Own Flag" activity for children, information about Cary having once been the "Gourd Capital of the World" - along with some very amusing and creatively designed gourds, an antique Stereoscope through which visitors can view historic photograph images in 3D, books by local authors about Cary's "Hometown History" (available for purchase at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center information desk), informational pamphlets about the Hotel and self-guided walking tours of local landmarks, and Friends organization membership information.

Guests are welcome to tour the History Museum on the third-floor of the Page-Walker and view the Fine Arts League of Cary's juried art exhibit on display on the first- and second-floor galleries.

The Friends of the Page-Walker will again be participating in the Annual Cary Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival taking ...
08/20/2026

The Friends of the Page-Walker will again be participating in the Annual Cary Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival taking place this weekend in Downtown Cary on August 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cary Town Hall Campus. The 50th Annual Festival will feature over 250 artists and crafts vendors, food trucks, music, entertainment, a beer garden, numerous interactive art activities, a kid’s world area, an illustrated "Chalk Walk", and demonstrations from professional craftsmen. Returning attractions include Kids Daze, the Kid Collectors Market, Art Festival Bingo, roaming entertainers and an air-conditioned Play Zone.

Friends of the Page-Walker volunteers will be in attendance on the porch of the Page-Walker Hotel/Page-Walker Arts and History Center at 119 Ambassador Circle to share information and history about the Hotel and provide a fun "Make Your Own Flag" craft activity for visitors!

More information about the Festival, including "Getting to the Festival" public transportation options, is available via this link:
https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/events/festivals/lazy-daze-arts-and-crafts-festival

“The Long-Hidden Story of the Woman Who Designed the Original Cary Town Seal”When Patricia (“Trish”) Daugherty Nolan was...
08/05/2026

“The Long-Hidden Story of the Woman Who Designed the Original Cary Town Seal”
When Patricia (“Trish”) Daugherty Nolan was going through some papers in her family archive, she came across a scrap of paper with some typewritten text. The text had been written by her Mother, Marion VanZandt Daugherty in 1964. On that scrap of paper were written her initial thoughts and a description of what she had set about to do – create the official Cary Town Seal!

Trish has generously provided written information about her Mother’s conception and design of the Cary Town Seal and given permission for the Friends of the Page-Walker to share it. Copies of the pages which can be viewed in their entirety are included as photos.

Excerpts from Trish’s story are shown in quotes and included as follows:

“Marion VanZandt Daugherty was a long-term Cary, North Carolina resident and the designer of the Cary Town Seal. I am her youngest daughter. My Mother died in 1994, so some of the details about the Cary Town Seal may be lost to history (or are yet to be found in one of the many boxes of family history in my attic!), but this is what I know at this time:

Marion Daugherty was an artist and a writer/editor, and she had a natural affinity for using her talents wherever she was. She “bloomed where she was planted”. Our family moved to Cary from Kansas City, Missouri, in 1959, and it wasn’t long before Momma was active in the Cary Woman’s Club and the Cary Garden Club. I was just a young child at the time, but I know my Mother was always doing something that was community minded.

In 1964, it was announced that there was going to be a contest to design the Cary Town Seal. Momma was delighted to throw her hat into the ring!

Momma started by outlining what she wanted to reflect about Cary in the Seal. The text below is from a scrap of paper on which my Mother typed her initial thoughts as she was creating the seal:

‘This Town seal design is intended to reflect significant facets of life in Cary, N.C.

The “Torch of Learning” – Symbol of the great emphasis the people of Cary have always placed on education and cultural things.

Sketch of the present Junior-High Building – This building was an academy until 1907 and then became the first public school in North Carolina.

Sketch of the new Cary Senior High School – Symbol of our ability to keep step with the times in providing the most modern facilities available anywhere.

“Gourd Capital of the World” – Cary has the Alpha Chapter of National Gourd Clubs, and the annual Gourd Show this year attracted several thousand people.

“1871” – The year the Town of Cary received its charter.

The “Dogwood” blossom, which is the background for the center of the Seal, is our State Flower and a beloved tree in our yards and countryside.’”
End of Excerpts.

Marion VanZandt Daugherty’s design was the winning entry in the 1964 “Create the Cary Town Seal” contest, and Ralph Ashworth, Cary Chamber President, presented her with her award.

The Cary Town Seal was redesigned not too long ago, but there are still a few locations around Cary where one may be able to find the original seal designed by Marion VanZandt Daugherty emblazoned on a metal street cover.

Many pieces of Cary’s history have been lost or forgotten over time, but it is a welcome and delightful surprise when one unexpectedly reappears or comes to light decades later. Many thanks to Trish Nolan for so kindly sharing this wonderful Town of Cary history information with the Friends of the Page-Walker in order that it may be shared with the Cary community.

An abundance of beautiful and vibrant summer flowers are in full bloom in the artfully arranged polinator gardens locate...
08/03/2026

An abundance of beautiful and vibrant summer flowers are in full bloom in the artfully arranged polinator gardens located by the former Page-Walker Hotel and in the Anne B Kratzer Educational Gardens located by the 1800s Page family smokehouse at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center in Cary. Stroll the grounds, have a picnic on the lawn, visit the Page-Walker Arts & History Center "History Museum" on the third floor, enjoy the Fine Arts League of Cary's Annual Juried Exhibit artworks in the first- and second-floor galleries, and maybe just do a little bit of "southern porch sitting" in the comfortable rocking chairs on the Hotel front porch overlooking the Downtown Cary area.

Bluegrass Music Performance at the Page-Walker!Celebration of Bluegrass featuring Redbudwith PineCone Bluegrass Jam Camp...
07/27/2026

Bluegrass Music Performance at the Page-Walker!
Celebration of Bluegrass featuring Redbud
with PineCone Bluegrass Jam Camp
Friday, July 31 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Free

Celebrate one of America's favorite traditional music styles! The Page-Walker and PineCone welcome Redbud, an up-and-coming band out of Boone, NC. Don't miss the opening act, the young musicians of Jam Camp! Enjoy dinner from Ty's All Natural food truck and dessert from JAM Ice Cream.

MORE INFORMATION:
Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy a picnic from home, or purchase dinner from the on-site food truck. Smoking is not permitted at on the lawn. Please leave all pets at home; service animals are welcome. Outdoor concerts are held sprinkle or shine; in the event of inclement weather, check Weather Delays & Cancellations or call (919) 460-4963.

LOCATION:
Page-Walker Arts & History Center
119 Ambassador Loop
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-4963

The Youth Leadership Cary program joined us today for a tour of the Ivey-Ellington! Thank you to the students for joinin...
07/24/2026

The Youth Leadership Cary program joined us today for a tour of the Ivey-Ellington! Thank you to the students for joining us to learn more about this portion of Cary’s history, and for this sweet thank you card with a drawing of the home on the front.

We hold public hours on Wednesdays, drop in any time from 12pm to 2pm for a short tour of the exterior and interior!

The Friends of the Page-Walker are proud and honored to be able to participate in the ongoing American Revolution Experi...
07/19/2026

The Friends of the Page-Walker are proud and honored to be able to participate in the ongoing American Revolution Experience exhibition event currently taking place in the Downtown Cary Park. The American Revolution Experience is a collaborative project of the American Battlefield Trust and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and is brought to Cary by the Asbury Station of the DAR and the Town of Cary. The exhibition is part of America250NC, a state-wide initiative to celebration America's 250th anniversary in 2026. Cary was one of only nine stops in North Carolina selected to display the Exhibition!

The American Revolution Experience is an innovative exhibition that includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect us with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.

For eight days at the Gathering House in Downtown Cary Park, visitors can learn about the American Revolution, learn the stories of the people who were there, and imagine the decisions they might have made if alive during that time. The exhibit is on display from July 18 to July 26 and is located in the Gathering House at the Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary NC 27511. The Exhibit is open during the follow hours:
• Saturday, July 18 | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 19 | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 | 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25 | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The exhibit debuted on Saturday morning, July 18, 2026 with doors opening at 11 am. DAR and Friends of the Page-Walker volunteers, several of whom were in period-authentic outfits, greeted guests and welcomed them to the Exhibit. Visitors were invited to sign the DAR’s “Declaration of Attendance” sheet with their own “John Hancock”.

The exhibit consisted of 12 panels displaying American history with custom illustrations by South Carolina-based artist Dale Watson. In creating his unique art, Watson used historical descriptions, images, and other resources to make portraits for each figure highlighted on the site and for larger scenes to show events during the 18th century. If no image or description existed of a figure, Watson tried to represent what they might have looked like by researching their background and details, such as what they would have worn and carried during this period of history.

Both adults and children were encouraged to pick up Scavenger Hunt cards related to the exhibit which could be filled in and deposited for a drawing for one adult and one child prize – trivia books for the adults and a DAR produced coloring book for children. DAR Asbury Chapter stickers and information were also available for those who were interested.

Chidren’s craft tables provided a variety of offerings for children. Volunteers assisted with the application of patriotic temporary tattoos and the creation of tricorn hats and Uncle Sam eagle puppets. There were also “design your own” patriotic flag crafts with washable markers and stickers.

The “George and Martha Portrait Studio” was a fun addition to the event for both adults and children. Portraits of George and Martha Washington were displayed on easels. The canvas portraits had handles and the faces could be “popped out” so that visitors could hold the portrait up to their own face, "become” George or Martha, and have their portraits taken. Volunteers served as the photographer with the visitors’ cell phones.

Carla Jordan Michaels, Asbury Station Chapter Treasurer and Chapter Chair of the America 250! Committee and a member of the Friends of the Page-Walker Board of Directors conducted the opening presentation of the event, welcoming visitors and giving an overview of the American Revolution Experience project.

Carla subsequently introduced the DAR Guest Speakers: Asbury Station Chapter Regent, Brenda Carbon, and Wynn Smith, North Carolina District Director VI Director from Louisburg, Franklin County, NC who expressed their pride and appreciation to be part of the national America250 celebration and especially to have been included in the American Revolution Exhibition national tour.

Cary Town Council members Lori Bush and Michelle Craig attended the event and presented the "Mayor's Proclamation" officially acknowledging and proclaiming the significance of the event and the occasion.

A special guest at the event was Coral Krigel and her parents. Coral is a rising 6th grade student at Davis Drive Middle School in Cary. Coral was selected as a First Prize Awardee in the America250’s Field Trip Contest, a nationwide competition organized by the national America250 committee that asked students to answer the question: "What Does America Mean to You?" Her artwork was selected from thousands of entries across the country. As part of this achievement, Coral was invited to participate in a First Prize Awardee field trip to Yellowstone National Park this summer. Asbury Station Chapter DAR presented her with a book published by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources entitled "Within Their Power: The Story of the Edenton Ladies' Tea Party.

Additional information about the American Revolution Experience can be viewed via this link: https://www.battlefields.org/american-revolution-experience-traveling

An enigmatic inscription carved in a wall of the historic Ivey-Ellington House was a long-hidden secret and a mystery wh...
07/15/2026

An enigmatic inscription carved in a wall of the historic Ivey-Ellington House was a long-hidden secret and a mystery which led to a challenging quest to determine its origin and meaning. During the course of the rehabilitation and restoration of the house, work on an interior wall revealed letters and the date July 17th, 1882 carved in the original plaster.

After being apprised of the discovery, Kris Carmichael, Supervisor of Historic Properties, Town of Cary, sent a message to Friends member Carla Jordan Michaels with the words, “I have a mystery for you”. A Cary native with deep roots in Cary going back generations, Carla was well versed in local history, as well as having excellent and extensive historical research skills. Carla shared the information with Barbara Wetmore, another Friends member, who was also very engaged in local historical research activity with Carla.

Many research sources were consulted, many avenues were explored, and hours were spent trying to ascertain the meaning of the inscription and whose name it might be, but the answer remained elusive. Then one night, after a long day, and feeling tired and blurry-eyed as she described it, Carla decided to take another look at the text and happened to minimize it instead of increasing its size. As Carla stared at the screen, she suddenly realized the script resolved to “C A Creel”. As Carla put it, it was a " eureka moment!”. It was a name, and it was the key to unlocking the mystery!

From that moment on, research in a different direction ensued, and the pieces quickly started to fall into place. Historical records research revealed John W Creel, a brick mason who likely was involved with the construction of the Ivey-Ellington house, had a son, Charles A Creel. John W Creel was a Cary resident at the time and actively involved with Cary. He was a stockholder in Cary High School and a member of the Masonic Lodge, as well as being engaged in other organizations.

An 1880 historical record shows Charles A Creel, 19, as a brick mason in the Cary Township. Brick masons often worked with plaster, as well. It was determined that young Charles had probably worked on the construction of the home along with and under the supervision of his father and had inscribed his name and the July 17th, 1882 date in the plaster.

Records further revealed that Charles Creel married in 1881 and lived in Cary. Sadly, Charles passed away suddenly of what was believed to have been “heart disease” at the age of 23. In 1884. His daughter, Charlie, named for her Father, was the child he never knew - born not long after his passing.

Aware of the historical significance of the inscription, measures were taken to ensure its protection and preservation as part of the Ivey-Ellington house restoration. Free public docent-led tours of the first-floor of the Ivey-Ellington House at 310 South Academy Street in Downtown Cary are available weekly on Wednesday afternoons from 12-2. Visitors will be able to see firsthand the mysterious inscription in plaster “C A Creel “ with the accompanying “July 17th, 1882” date.

A video of a live presentation by Carla Michaels and Kris Carmichael, "A Mystery in Plaster at the Ivey-Ellington House”, can be viewed on the Friends YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeuzzNUAHrk

You can also read Carla Michael’s blog, “An Ivey-Ellington House Mystery Encased in Plaster “ in the “Discover Cary History – Blog Posts” section on the Friends of the Page-Walker website:
https://friendsofpagewalker.wildapricot.org/Cary-Me-Back/13500401

The Cary Asbury Station Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust in partne...
07/14/2026

The Cary Asbury Station Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust in partnership with the Town of Cary and the Downtown Cary Park are pleased to present the American Revolution Experience at the Gathering House at the Downtown Cary Park from July 18 to July 25, 2026.

From an award-winning website to an in-demand pop-up exhibition, the American Revolution Experience, a collaborative project of the American Battlefield Trust and the Daughters of the American Revolution is beginning a new phase in its quest to connect modern audiences with the fascinating story of our nation’s origin.

Where it Began
As tensions mounted across the Thirteen Colonies, the entire Revolutionary Generation was faced with a difficult choice: to pledge loyalty to the Patriot cause and the prospect of a new nation, or remain loyal to the King as subjects of the British Empire.

This digital exhibition examines the lives of some of the men and women who witnessed the dawn of a new nation, and how their decision shaped the journey they faced. Launched in summer of 2022, this is the progenitor to the current traveling exhibition.

The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.

Hours of Operation
The exhibit is open during the following hours:
• Saturday, July 18 | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 19 | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 | 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25 | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Address

119 Ambassador Loop
Cary, NC
27513

Telephone

+19194604963

Website

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