#55 - The Wadsworth Estate: A Symbol of Eloquence and Distinction

Blog 55

The Wadsworth Estate:

A Symbol of Eloquence and Distinction

by

Vernon M Herron and Judge Shirley Fulton

The Wadsworth Estate

The Charlotte community has acquired a most distinguished and eloquent estate which enhances the cultural life of this locale. It is The Wadsworth Estate, a property listed on the registry of Historic Landmark properties and now is used for weddings, receptions, meetings and other special events.

THE GEORGE PIERCE WADSWORTH HOUSE turns 100 years old this year.  Built in 1911, the residence, carriage house and gardens in Historic Wesley Heights, are unique North Carolina examples of the Arts and Craft era that has earned historic designation.  Throughout 2011, we will commemorate the property and its significance in Charlotte Mecklenburg’s development and explore a century of history and culture.

The celebration will include myriad events, experiences, and topics—drama, music, literature, culture, law, art, community conversations, introspective, and more—opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn and to engage as we weave through and explore these 100 years, locally and beyond.

The house is located at 400 South Summit Avenue in the Wesley Heights neighborhood, an early twentieth century streetcar suburb, of Charlotte, North Carolina.   Occupying the equivalent of three lots, it faces east on a corner lot at the juncture of South Summit Avenue and West Second Street.   It is positioned to capture the aura of the Charlotte skyline and the excitement of the activities at the Panthers football stadium.  It is within walking distance of uptown Charlotte and two blocks north of the West Morehead Business corridor, making it easily accessible from all of the major travel thoroughfares.

The Wadsworth family continued to live in the house after the sudden death of George Pierce Wadsworth in 1930 at the age of 51. James Dallas Ramsey, an officer of the Textron-Southern Company, and his wife, Pearl Shelby Ramsey bought the house in 1936. The Ramseys converted a portion of the west side of the second floor to an apartment and adapted a small sleeping porch as a kitchen, probably during the late 1940s. The Ramseys moved in 1967, and the house stood vacant for two years.  In 1969, during the Civil Rights era, Mrs. Ramsey sold the property to an African American family, prominent businessman, Worthy D. Hairston (1902-1969) and his wife, Marie S. Hairston.  Hairston, a funeral director who had established the Hairston's House of Funerals in 1930, moved his family and business from Beatties Ford Road to the Wadsworth House.

Judge Shirley L. Fulton

Judge Shirley L. Fulton bought a home in Wesley Heights in 1989 and moved in 1990.  She discovered Wesley Heights neighborhood when she was searching for a home that was easily accessible to the interstates and major thoroughfares.  As a superior court judge, she was assigned to preside over courts in many North Carolina counties, but primarily in the western region.  Upon her return from these assignments, she found herself sitting in traffic trying to reach residence in south Charlotte. She was impressed with the architectural character of the housing stock and the tree lined street and recognized the potential for revitalizing the neighborhood as a desirable place to live.  After organizing the community as a nonprofit community development corporation, she led the community through a renaissance to reclaim the housing stock, reduce criminal activities, and develop a greenway in the community as a part of Mecklenburg County’s greenway master plan. 

Fulton had a vision for the property as a conference center, something that was missing on the Westside.  She pursued that vision through a restoration of the main house initially, maintaining most of its original features.  This part of the property was opened for business in August 2001.  

In 2007, Judge Fulton started the restoration of the servant’s quarters/Carriage House.  As it turned out, this project took the better part of two years to complete. Its grand opening and reopening of the main house took place on January 16, 2010 as part of Rev. Martin Luther King’s birthday celebration.  The Carriage House is now in use primarily as a wedding chapel, but is also used for meetings, receptions, small dinner parties, family reunions, political events, social gatherings and all other special events.