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Textile Heritage Museum

2406 Glencoe Street, Burlington, NC, 27217

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Gallery of Glencoe

The Holts, the owners of the Glencoe Mill, started construction on the village in 1880 and finished in 1882.
The superintendent's house is located just across from the mill. Because he lived in the village, he was charged with maintaining community standards and ensuring that no one acted out of line.
Houses in the village went up quickly. They had standing seam metal roofs, like the one you see here. Though the yellow heart pine used to build this home may not be the same, the roof is still the original from 1880.
Every home in the village has its own unique charm, cultivated through the individual restoration and preservation efforts. It's easy to take a beautiful pictures in an area with so much personality!
Our next door neighbors. Not featured: their cute pooch and a couple cats who think that they're allowed to visit the museum too. They may be our most dedicated patrons.
Notice the brick slabs placed under the houses for elevation. Though you wouldn't think it now, flooding used to be an issue in the village.
thm sm mill house 26
Originally, there were 43 mill village homes in the mill village. When they were abandoned, two fell into such disrepair that they were permanently condemned and eventually used for parts to help restore other homes or practice buildings by the local fire station.
Looking at such a vibrant, colorful array of homes, it's hard to believe the state of disrepair they were once in. It's thanks to Preservation North Carolina and dedicated individuals putting the time and effort into returning these homes to their former glory that we have such amazing pictures like this one.
Single story houses like this were often shared with multiple families. Though, when they were lived in by a single family, one side would often be dedicated to sleeping quarters while the other would be a living area.
Villages like the one at Glencoe were created largely because of the need for housing for workers. Often, individuals would travel from all over the South and Appalachia just to find a job in mills like this. If the job included housing, that was a bonus.
Rent at Glencoe was about 25 cents a month for one room. Sounds like a steal today!
Early in Glencoe's operation, transportation was scarce, let alone practical at mill villages like these. Workers usually didn't make enough to be able to afford automobiles or horses. As a result, mill owners were forced to open company stores and provide community events like movies, baseball games, and craft circles.
Community was such an important part of villages like Glencoe. People here knew each other. They worked together, lived together, celebrated holidays with one another, helped raise each other's children. So many who moved after the mills closing remarked about how much they missed that belonging.
It's truly amazing to see just how much renovation has gone on within these homes on the inside. If you ask nicely, I'm sure a few of the home owners would be happy to show off all the work they've put in.
The former meeting house for the Moffit Men's Bible Class also served as a barber shop once a week when the barber came by. Now it has now been turned into an adorable tiny home.

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