Bradford-Denton house honored with ribbon-cutting, plaque

Details: Lance Martin; News; 13 April 2023; 2739

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The Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau Wednesday celebrated the opening of the colonial kitchen and blacksmith shop at the Bradford-Denton house in Halifax.

The Eleanor White Dare Chapter of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century also recognized the efforts of Jeff Dickens and the Historical Halifax Restoration Association in the renovations and moving of the house to Halifax with a flag presentation, the laying of a wreath, and the unveiling of a plaque.

“It started as a dream to save a house and grew into much more with relationships with people all across the southeast United States with partnership to do what we have done,” said Dickens, an association member, after the plaque unveiling. “It quickly became about people and not a house.”

(Additional Bradford-Denton photos can be found at this link)

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The Bradford-Denton house was built around 1760 on property near Fishing Creek on land owned by Colonel John Bradford, a delegate to the Fourth Provincial Congress which adopted the Halifax Resolves.

Rev. Henry Bradford was a Revolutionary War soldier and early Methodist minister. He founded Bradford's Chapel and held Methodist camp meetings on his property.

Bishop Francis Asbury was a frequent visitor to the Bradford home and records show services were held in the Bradford house. Rev. Bradford was also an early educator in Halifax County, having operated Bradford's Academy in the early 1800s.

The Historical Halifax Restoration Association moved the Bradford House to Historic Halifax to restore its 1790 appearance.

Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the HCCVB, said, "Our organization has long hoped for living history opportunities at Historic Halifax. Our organization and the Bradford family funded the construction and upfit of the detached colonial kitchen behind the house to offer visitors a glimpse of what life was like in the 1700s.”

Dickens said, "The backyard of a colonial Halifax home was a busy area. Meals would have been prepared in a detached kitchen. In addition to the kitchen, the family would have stored meat in a smokehouse and maintained a well house."

The HCCVB also funded the construction and upfit of the blacksmith shop on the site.

The blacksmith shop would have furnished metal objects and made repairs for the community.

With the historic site preparing next year to kick off the observances of the country’s 250th anniversary, Dickens said the house will fit in well with the commemorations. “This is the house of one of Halifax County’s delegates. That’s what we’re celebrating — the 250th anniversary of the Halifax Resolves.”

North Carolina Representative Michael Wray said, "Working together works. This is an excellent example of groups coming together to make something positive happen for Halifax County and the great state of North Carolina."

TAGS: halifaxnews, halifaxcountynews, historichalifax, halifaxcountyconventionandvisitorsbureau, bradforddentonhouse, jeffdickens

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