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Tuesday forum key for McDowell House

By Mike Conley | The McDowell News

Published: November 12, 2009

The McDowell House, the home of Revolutionary War hero Joseph McDowell and the county's namesake, could become the new headquarters and visitor's center for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
But first, the National Park Service wants to hear from the public about this idea. An open house will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Greenlee Theater at the McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA). Local leaders are hoping that enough people turn out to show how much McDowell wants the trail's headquarters.
The Park Service is considering the home of Col. Joseph McDowell as one of several potential sites for the future headquarters of their Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. The trail runs from Abingdon, Va. down to the battlefield at Kings Mountain. In 1780, the Overmountain Men left their homes in the Southern Appalachians and marched along this trail to defeat the forces of British Maj. Patrick Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain. McDowell was one of the men who led them to this historic victory, which Thomas Jefferson later called the turning point in the American Revolution.
The McDowell House could become the new headquarters and visitor's center for the national historic trail. It could also have a museum and displays about the Overmountain Men, 18th century life in the mountains and McDowell himself. The Park Service is also looking at other possible sites in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
At Tuesday's open house, members of the Park Service's committee will be available to talk with the public about the proposal. They will open with a presentation and have a question and answer period. They will provide more information to the public and take comments. Folks can also talk to National Park Service officials individually.
Community attendance and support of the project is critical to the selection process. If more people show up for the open house, then that will increase McDowell's chances of getting the headquarters here.
After the committee has visited all of the proposed venues, four will be chosen for further study.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for McDowell County and your attendance and support are needed," said Carol Price, director of the McDowell Tourism Development Authority.
The first open house was held last week at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Tenn. Another open house will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the Old Burke County Courthouse in Morganton. The last will be held Thursday, Nov. 19 at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C.
The county purchased the house in February 2008 to save it from possible demolition. It is believed to be the only surviving home of a county namesake in North Carolina.
On Monday, the County Commissioners approved a resolution supporting the idea of getting the national trail's headquarters relocated to McDowell. The resolution states that the commissioners would "vigorously pursue" all options with the Park Service to move the headquarters to the McDowell House.
"I feel like it's very important we get behind this," said Commission Chairman David Walker.
However, costs associated with restoring the house are significant. A National Park Service partnership could help the county with those expenses.
"At completion, this site has the potential to become not only a heritage tourism site interpreting McDowell County history, but also headquarters for a National Park Service historic trail, in addition to providing access to Phase II of the McDowell County Greenway," said Price. "If chosen, this would truly be a unique location where history and outdoor recreation would create a community asset to be enjoyed daily by local residents and visitors."
The local economy would also benefit from the project. Heritage tourism translates into significant revenue for local retailers, attractions, hotels and motels, in addition to the increase in local sales tax revenues. In 2008, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce, tourism spending in McDowell County resulted in $1.59 million in local sales tax and $2.1 million in state tax.
A new national heritage tourism survey revealed that 78 percent of U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities. People who visit cultural/historic sites spend an average of $994 per trip, significantly more than other tourism groups, confirming that this is a strong market. These travelers contribute significantly to the communities they visit. This is particularly important during these challenging economic times, according to information from the TDA.

For more information, please contact Paul Carson, director of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, at 2635 Park Road, Blacksburg, SC, (864) 936-3477, or Paul_Carson@nps.gov.