In addition to nine other properties, the historic Cannaday-Ferguson House will be open on Preservation Greensboro’s Tour of Historic Homes and Gardens on May 18-19!
Built in 1895, this Queen Anne-style house is a well-preserved example of the gracious and sturdy homes found in College Hill. The oldest portion of the house is composed of a center-hall plan that focuses on the entry hall flanked by two equal-size rooms, each with rear fireplaces. A dining room and kitchen continued this original footprint. In the late 1910s, new mantles were built and the house grew in size as porches were enclosed. A porte-cochère, or “coach door,” extended the front verandah to accommodate the family car.
The Cannaday-Ferguson House was built by Cinderella and James Cannaday. James held a position as an engineer with the A C Rail Line, but he also bought and sold land across the city. This property was the couple’s first acquisition in College Hill. They lived in this home until 1900, when they sold the property to Charles Ireland and moved into their smaller former rental house next door.
The house went through a series of owners until Ora and John Edward Ferguson purchased it in 1918. John was an insurance agent originally from Caswell County. He died in 1929, but Ora remained in the home for 46 years until she died at the age of 80 in 1964. The Fergusons are remembered for making significant changes to the home such as reworking mantles, adding bathrooms, enclosing porches, adding the porte-cochère, and expanding the gardens.
By 1987 the house was worn and needed investment. Ann and Tom Martin purchased the property and converted it into Greensboro’s second bed and breakfast inn. The College Hill Bed & Breakfast Inn took advantage of the sprawling floor plan and six fireplaces by featuring three guest rooms. The Martins sold the house to Betty Work and David Arneke in 1993. The new owners returned the property to single-family use but continued to make investments such as sprucing up the kitchen and bathrooms and further cultivating the sprawling gardens.
Preservation Greensboro’s Third Annual Tour of Historic Homes and Gardens will feature ten vintage homes of the College Hill neighborhood. Plan to spend the weekend touring stunning homes of the nineteenth century that highlight interesting architecture, design ideas, and local history! Advanced tickets will be available for purchase after April 20th. Group tickets of ten or more are available for $15 per ticket!
Stay tuned to our website, this blog and our Facebook page for additional information!
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