Harper House Rock Wall Project 2025

The Historical Association of Catawba County is accepting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from licensed general contractors for the concrete wall and stairs restoration project at the Harper House, located at 310 N. Center Street, Hickory, NC.

This project includes two primary components:

Removal of the existing rock wall and construction of a new reinforced concrete wall along the entirety of 3rd Ave. NE (approximately 217 feet).
Replacement of stairs, walls, and columns for the entry stairs leading from the sidewalk on 3rd Ave. NE to the main entryway of the Harper House.

A pre-bid meeting will be held October 20, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the Harper House. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.

The full RFP package and project details are available at Harper House Rock Wall Project 2025. Questions regarding the project should be directed to Mary George at marygeorge11@att.net. Addenda will be issued to address all submitted questions.

Bid proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Upcoming Announcements

Flour Sack fashion: Making do with what was readily available - Lake Norman PublicationsCATAWBA – Meticulously preserved, Murray’s Mill is nestled in what is still urban farmland. The mill was built by John Murray in 1913 and ran until it was shut down in 1967. Given it was the last mill still left standing in Catawba County, the Catawba County Historical Association worked to restore it. Preservation efforts started in 1980 and were <a href="https://www.lakenormanpublications.com/articles/flour-sack-fashion-making-do-with-what-was-readily-available/">[…]</a>

Murray’s Mill Harvest Folk Festival offers a look into history - Lake Norman PublicationsCATAWBA – Take a step back in North Carolina agrarian history and visit a mill that was operated by three generations of the Murray family before increasing taxes forced Lloyd Murray to close its doors. The mill looks quite like it did when Murray shut it down in July 1967, according to Jennifer Marquardt, who has been the site manager <a href="https://www.lakenormanpublications.com/articles/murrays-mill-harvest-folk-festival-offers-a-look-into-history-2/">[…]</a>

Deck The Harper Halls

Experience the timeless elegance of the holiday season at Harper House.

Explore each beautifully decorated room, thoughtfully designed to showcase the charm, warmth, and splendor of a classic Christmas.

Admission: $15 per person (includes one voting ticket)
Additional Voting Tickets: $1 each
Hours: Open from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Voting tickets allow guests to vote for their favorite decorated room. The room with the most votes will be announced on January 1st.

Join us for an evening of festive décor, historic ambiance, and holiday cheer at one of Catawba County’s most cherished landmarks.

Admission Tickets Will Be Sold At The Door!

Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival

2026 marks the 29th Annual Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival!

This year’s theme, Crafting America: 250 Years Through Pottery and Antiques, celebrates the nation’s rich artistic and cultural heritage through the lens of Southern craftsmanship. The festival continues its mission to honor and preserve the legacy of Catawba Valley’s alkaline-glazed stoneware and the skilled potters who keep this traditional craft alive.

Historically, local potters worked from home sites using wood-fired kilns and relied on word-of-mouth sales. The CVP&AF was founded to recognize that heritage by creating an annual event where pottery made in the Catawba Valley—and beyond—can be showcased and purchased.

Over nearly three decades, the festival has grown to feature talented potters from across North Carolina and the greater South, along with dealers offering historical pottery and antiques that provide a broader context for understanding the history and use of pottery in the South.

We are especially excited to welcome Mary Farrell as our guest lecturer on Saturday, March 28th, who will share her insight and expertise as part of this year’s celebration of craftsmanship and heritage.

The festival is a juried event and will be held on Friday, March 27th & Saturday, March 28th, 2026, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, NC.

The CVPAF is a non-profit event which benefits the Historical Association of Catawba County in Newton, NC, and the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC. More than $500,000 has been donated to these institutions over the past 20+ years.

Purchase Festival Tickets

America 250 Celebration

Get ready to celebrate an unforgettable milestone in history—the 250th anniversary of America becoming a country! Join us at the Catawba County Museum of History for a thrilling exhibit that will transport you through time, honoring our nation's incredible journey. Experience engaging exhibits, captivating stories, and special activities that bring America's past to life. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the celebration as we reflect on 250 years of freedom, courage, and progress!

History Museum

As an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Association is funded primarily by individual donors. National foundations, periodic grant awards, and local municipalities also contribute to the daily financial operations of the Association.

Help us to keep the HACC properties alive and thriving by making a donation or contributing in any way you can. We greatly appreciate the support of our donors and members, as they play a vital role in sustaining the Historical Association of Catawba County.

For over 80 years, the Historical Association of Catawba County has preserved the objects, stories, and places that matter most to Catawbans. We invite you to become a member of the HACC.

For questions, please contact Susan Holbrook at (828) 465-0383.