ARCHAEOLOGY

The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office statewide inventory contains information on over 150 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in Rutherford County. Archaeological evaluation of the Bechtler Mine site resulted in its listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY

A comprehensive inventory of Rutherford County was conducted in 1979-1980. This survey was a cooperative venture between the Office of Archives and History and the Rutherford County Arts Council accomplished with a grant and staff assistance from the Historic Preservation Office.

GRANTS

Federal preservation subgrants for Rutherford County total $28,345 and include funding for the 1979 Rutherford County architectural survey, the 1994 Rutherfordton National Register nomination, and a 1980 grant to assist restoration of Trinity Lutheran Church (St. John's Episcopal Church). State grants from 1984 and 1994 totaling $15,000 were issued for the Bechtler Mine archaeology site.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

The Main Street Historic District in Rutherfordton and fourteen individual properties across the county have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The first listings, Trinity Lutheran Church (St. John's Episcopal Church) in Rutherfordton and Fox Haven Plantation in Green Hill Township, were made in 1972.

PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS

Fox Haven Plantation, an income-producing tax credit project near Rutherfordton, is currently undergoing renovation. One residential renovation is underway to utilize the new state tax credit for non-income-producing historic structures. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all preservation tax credit projects.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS

The Historic Preservation Office assisted the Rutherford County Arts Council, Inc., in 1983 in the publication of the findings of the architectural survey in The Historic Architecture of Rutherford County, North Carolina.

RESTORATION

Historic Preservation Office staff has provided technical assistance to the Old Rutherford County Jail, Trinity Lutheran Church (St. John's Episcopal Church), St. Luke's Chapel, and the Rucker-Eaves House, all in Rutherfordton, and the Rutherford County Arts Council Building in Forest City. Staff has also advised the Rutherford Downtown Development Office.