Speaker: Stewart Gray, Director, Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Department
Log construction was dominant in Mecklenburg County during the colonial era. Even as wood framing and masonry construction became popular in the 1800s, traditional log buildings continued to be built, largely as housing and agricultural buildings until the end of the century. In the 20th Century, a new type of log building began to appear on the landscape, inspired more by popular culture than local tradition.
This evening lecture series is part of Wing Haven's Centennial Celebration and is offered in conjunction with the Historic Landmarks Department.
Purchase a bundle for all five lectures and save!
Bundle: $80/member; $100/non-members
Student Rate: $10/member; 15/non-member
Per lecture Rate: $20/Wing Haven & Audubon Members; $25/non-member
About the Speaker: Stewart Gray is the Director of Mecklenburg County’s Historic Landmarks Department. The department facilitates the work of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. The Commission’s work includes historic landmark designations, design review for historic properties, and the Historic Properties Revolving Fund, which has assets of around $6.5M. In addition to its work with the Commission, the department functions as an extension service, helping the owners and users of older properties, regardless of their historic status, with preservation needs. The Department also provides historic preservation support to all of the municipal governments in Mecklenburg County.
Stewart has been involved with historic preservation for over 35 years. He has a background in construction and hands-on restoration and has worked across the State as a consultant for National Register listings and local landmark designations. Stewart received his undergraduate degree from UNC, and a master’s degree in historic preservation from UNCG. He began working with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission in 2001 and has been employed by Mecklenburg County in preservation planning since 2006. Stewart won the Carraway Award from Preservation North Carolina in 2017 and was made a History Department Graduate School faculty member at UNC Charlotte from 2019 - 2022, teaching “Historic Preservation Theory and Practice.” Stewart was born at Charlotte’s Presbyterian Hospital, has lived in England, Washington DC, and California. He and his wife, Lisa, raised a family in Davidson and still reside there.