CANDLELIGHT TOUR DOES IT AGAIN
EDENTON'S HOLIDAY ELEGANCE & STYLE WELCOMED VISITORS
Edenton's elegance in both lavish and casual styles where on display throughout town last weekend as a dozen proud owners opened their homes and lifestyles for over 2000 visitors to experience one step at a time. Whether awed by walls framed in history or styled like Hockney one of the main attractions where the bare walls of the Cupola House and the stories being uncovered like the plaster between the laths. Docents Jonathon Tobias and Russell Corker greeted guests throughout the afternoon sharing bits of knowledge recently discovered within the walls.
Since the restoration of the original woodwork began, the bare bones of the building and dismantling of the plaster covering them was a preservation archeologist's dream, of which Edenton is becoming known.
The Candlelight Tour was a wonderful holiday opportunity to tour some of the most historic homes in town decorated in festive lights and holiday decor. Edenton’s 44 annual Candlelight Tour showcased homes along the Edenton's waterfront on Blount Street, West King and Pembroke Circle on Friday and Saturday December 12 and 13. The Hayes Farm was also on a separate ticketed tour.
Guests were greeted by home owners, family members and friends and shared stories of their homes and unique architectural characteristics. Homes on the tour represented a number of periods in history and offered guests a glimpse into the lives of Edenton residents. Paintings throughout many of the homes included notable Edentonians of the past.
The Edenton Historical Commission worked throughout the year to select and collaborate with homeowners on this wonderful holiday event. It is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year and this year’s theme was “Once Upon a Christmas”.
Marsha Creighton and Carey Stegal worked closely with the homeowners and Bonnie Pierce and Kathleen Towers coordinated the arrangements to bring the theme to life. Walking into some of the homes was a rendition of a a living Christmas Card.
Innovate Fund announces $7 mm new markets tax credits
Edenton, NC- 16 December 2025- The Innovate Fund, a certified Community Development Entity committed to transforming underserved communities, today announced the closing of a $7,000,000 New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) investment to support a catalytic commercial redevelopment project in Edenton, North Carolina. This vital funding will drive economic growth and create 155 quality jobs in a community historically lacking access to capital.
The investment is targeted at the renovation of the former Sears Building in downtown Edenton and improvements to the adjacent parking area. The renovated facility will house various tenants, including Provalus, an IT service provider dedicated to elevating high-potential rural communities.
The NMTC investment was made possible through a partnership with Capital One National Association, who served as the tax credit investor for the transaction. This successful partnership underscores the ability of the NMTC Program to attract private capital to areas of greatest need, reflecting the Treasury Department’s strategic commitment to promoting economic opportunity. The project census tract demonstrated a poverty rate of 39.9%.
“This investment in Edenton is a prime example of the NMTC Program’s ability to leverage private capital to generate sustainable economic opportunity in rural America,” said Emma Wyatt, Chief Operating Officer of The Innovate Fund. “We are proud to partner with Provalus, Main Street Edenton, The Town of Edenton, and the community to reactivate key downtown real estate and bring 155 new, quality technology jobs to residents. This is how the Treasury’s community development mission is delivered on the ground.”
“This NMTC investment marks a defining moment for our community. Redeveloping the remaining 16,000 square feet of the old Sears Building, allows us to bring a long-vacant space back to life while creating a workplace for 155 employees,” said James Chesson, Director of Main Street Edenton. “Through our partnership with The Innovate Fund and Provalus, we are ensuring downtown remains the heart of the community while cultivating meaningful jobs that will provide residents an opportunity to grow and make our local economy more robust for years to come.”
The NMTC Program, administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, is a critical tool that historically generates over $8 of private investment for every $1 of federal funding, multiplying the impact of federal support in places that need it most.
DAR HONORS VETS -WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Members of the Edenton Tea Party Chapter NSDAR in partnership with the Warren Grove Missionary Baptist Church gathered along with family, friends and neighbors Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Warren Grove Missionmary Baptist Church Cemetery to honor veterans, lay wreaths on those veteran's graves and offer moments of silence and respect for the areas fallen heroes.
The annual event is sponsored by Wreaths Across America and honors veterans, yearly, through it established national wreath laying day.
At Warren Grove, Tea Party Chapter Regent Bonnie Henn welcomed guests before Chaplain Clara King offered the invocation. Wreaths Across America Committee Chair Melissa Schmeiler offered opening remarks highighting the meaing of the occasion.
After a moment of silence Co-Chair of Wreaths Across America Cynthia Herlong read the names of the fallen veterans.
Wreaths had previojusly been placed on the graves at the cemetery.
Wreaths Across America began as a small event, propagated by one family that grew into a national day of honor.
Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, teach our children the value of freedom is the mission of the organization that began in 1991 and grew exponentially after a simple snow covered picture went viral.
Originally, the Worcester Wreath Co. donated the wreaths as a personal tribute from the Worcester family to military veterans who gave their lives for this country. Working quietly under the radar, the family made the wreath donations to Arlington National Cemetery for nearly fifteen years before a photo changed their lives.
The company’s wreaths at Arlington covered in snow pulled at the heart strings of the public and went viral in 2006. This money was returned to donors because there was no mechanism in place for the family to accept the donations at that time.
In 2007, spurred by thousands of requests to help with wreath donations, the family gathered those who had been involved at Arlington National Cemetery to set up a non-profit corporation and Wreaths Across America, in name was born.
“For Wreaths Across America, wreath quality is important. Symbolically, wreaths represent everlasting life. These seemingly simple evergreens are so much more than a decoration placed on a grave. Wreaths Across America exists because hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and abroad responded to the emotional power of these wreaths and their simple ability to honor military members and their families. To this day, the outpouring of donations from thankful Americans humbles the Worcester family and makes them proud to be a part of something they never foresaw or intended”, states the organizations website.
Wreaths Across America is supported by donations from the public. Wreaths Across America 2026 is scheduled for December 19, 2026. Cynthia Herlong's presentation of the names of the veterans is below.
Cupola's Wassail Bowl Warms Tour Goers
One of Edenton's Historic Treasures
During the Candlelight Tour weekend visitors and Edentonians had the opportunity to visit one of Edenton's National Historic Landmark, The Cupola House, and savored the annual Wassial Bowl tradition. The building structure was empty as craftsmen prepare for the final phase of the restoration work. The Christmas decor this year was a « Colonial Construction Zone » and featured items that would have been abundant in the eighteenth century such as hemp rope and white pine serving boards. The photos below show the construction tools from the past. The festive presentation included planers, levels, saws, screwdrivers and, of course wassail. The hospitality team that created the event consisted of local journalists, editors, and designers who are passionate about this historic event. Guest were invited to tour the Cupola House and enjoy some Wassail and special delights.
Keep watching EdentonSocialLight.com for updates on the progress at the Cupola House.
FARMERS MARKET CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
The Edenton Farmers market Christmas Festival was packed with holiday shoppers picking up artisan made gifts from over 30 vendors offering local holiday gift ideas, bakery items and one of a kind crafted items. See photos below.
