Introduction and The Beginning Enfield NC

It all started in the quiet, serene setting of downtown Enfield North Carolina. I had been coming down to this great little getaway for years with friends who had purchased an old victorian home on several acres. My friends, Suzann & Wayne A, purchased this property to transform it into a historic B&B (the Bellamy Manor B&B) to cater to north/south and south/north I95 drivers that were not the Quality Inn/Holiday Inn set. Well we started coming down for long weekends and gone kayaking in Fishing Creek and the Roanoke River, we hiked in the Great Dismal Swamp deep deep into the swamp (after quite a dry spell) and have read Henry David Thoreau while in the midst of the swamp. We have enjoyed many different folks at parties and events such as a 1927 murder mystery dinner held at the B&B among approx. 40 participants--and alas the murder was solved!

I (Drew) met my wife at The New Orleans Jazzfest in 2006 (and that is the subject of an entirely different blog). Her first trip north (I have been living outside of NYC in Jersey City NJ) we met in Enfield NC during one of our weekend trips. My wife, Myra, and I subsequently found a beautiful old victorian home as we ambled through the little town and absolutely fell in love with it. (I will post pictures as I figure this out) This house was built in 1872 by James Harvey Parker, the sheriff who purchased the land from then Gov Branch who had his house facing the opposite street. There is an old story that our two magnolia trees were carted up from Floriday via stage coach in 1850 by the Governor's wife. And all the magnolia trees in the town of Enfield were seedlings from our two trees. But I digress. We proceeded to renovate and remodel this house and have it now in a great condition that we can live in it. Well, the two of us not being content with nothing to do looked around town for some new project...

And there it was, The Enfield Masonic Lodge and Theatre. This beautiful and majestic building that was built circa 1921 in art deco style laid dormant and boarded up to the world probably for the last 5+ years. The Masons had held their meetings and degree programs in the theatre inside but due to an aging and fixed income membership could not support the monthly maintenance on the building. Well, the first time we took a walkthrough with the help of a prestigious local attorney, Larry A, we were hooked. We had to have this building.

The building includes two large theatres; one, on the ground level that has seating capacity of approx. 500 and the other , on the 3rd floor has seating capacity for 350. In addition, on the 2nd floor is a large banquet hall and commercial kitchen with a mighty vulcan oven/stove. There is also a smaller room on the 2nd which we refer to as the "yoga room" in which we hope to have yoga and dance classes held here.
The main theatre on the ground level is in a bit of a mess. It has not been professionally used as a movie theatre since before WW2! Since then, it has taken on the role of storage facility to anyone in town who had "stuff" and needed a place for it. So, y'all are welcome to come on down rifle through and pick out any number of old sofas, popcorn machines, antique clocks, chairs and other assorted relics of a bygone era.

The 3rd floor theatre where the Masonic degree ceremonies were performed is in impeccable shape (although needs a good cleaning, scraping, and painting). Neither theatre has any seating so arranging to purchase almost 1000 seats for both theatres will not be a cheap endeavor.

We purchased the property at the end of December 2009. To date, we have arranged to turn the "current" on, fire up the gas blowers and check the plumbing. All seems to work reasonably well although newer and more efficient HVAC needs will have to be reviewed.

One issue is that since this was a Masonic Club all its former years and Masonic Lodges were all male there are only Men's facilities on each level. And the facilities are probably circa 1950 style with no dividers between stalls. For my lady friends do not fret, I plan on updating the facilities and adding a 2nd female facility on each level. And for those discriminating men, I will be updating and accessorizing the men's facility as well.

I am very fortunate to have my wife Myra for many many reasons but for this is her skill as a professional artist and faux finish designer and painter. She is miraculous with the textures and coverings she can prepare and this facility will be her masterpiece. She has already been on scaffolding to faux paint the main entry way and stairwell to showcase the possibilities for anyone who enters during our initial renovation phases. She created marquis sign boards for the exterior boarded up windows to advertise to the town our future plans for the facility which include: Live Theatre, Live music, Films, yoga and exercise, art & cultural classes, catering hall, dinnner theatre and pretty much a multi purpose entertainment & rental venue.
There is nothing like this in the entire region and we believe it will be a strong asset to the community and one that can be used by many different people within and around the town.

If anyone wants to help in our renovation project please come for a visit. Once you discover Enfield, you will be hooked as we were. It is a wonderful little town with ALOT of heart and soul. It looks like a million little towns that got all boarded up over the years but this town is very special and will be again soon.

I hope you will follow our progress and my updates as we continue to renovate this magnificent building and begin to showcase great and rising talent. If you are an artist or performer and want an incredible space to perform or practice we want to talk with you.

Drew
Jan 29, 2010