Title: S.L. 1977-974

General Assembly of North Carolina	1977

NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1977 SESSION

CHAPTER 974
HOUSE BILL 766

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE FRANKLIN HOUSE IN SURRY COUNTY.

Whereas, the Franklin House in Surry County has been acquired by the Surry County Historical Society, Inc., which plans to preserve and restore it as a public facility for the education and enjoyment of the citizens of our State; and
Whereas, the late-Georgian/Federal style Franklin House, which was built ca. 1799 by Gideon Edwards, a prominent citizen in the early history of Surry County, is architecturally significant as the culmination of architectural development in late-eighteenth century/early‑nineteenth century northwestern North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Franklin House was for 25 years the home of Meshack Franklin, member of the General Assembly and Council of State, delegate to the constitutional Convention of 1835, and representative in the United States Congress; and
Whereas, Meshack Franklin devoted nearly 20 years to public service for the State of North Carolina during a critical period of the State's history; and
Whereas, Meshack Franklin's education, experience, and prestige made the Franklin House a social, cultural, and literary center for the people of Surry County during his occupancy; and
Whereas, the Surry County Historical Society, Inc., wishes to honor one of its outstanding citizens by preserving and restoring his home; and
Whereas, the Surry County Historical Society, Inc., has already raised approximately sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) of private, local, State, and federal funds and is now in the process of preserving and restoring the Franklin House; and
Whereas, there is a need for funds to continue the restoration of the Franklin House; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Archives and History, Department of Cultural Resources, for the 1977-78 fiscal year the sum of eight thousand five hundred dollars ($8,500), seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) of which will be available to the Surry County Historical Society, Inc., for the purpose of historical research and exterior restoration of the Franklin House, the remainder of which will be used by the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, to provide technical services to the Surry County Historical Society, Inc., for the project provided an amount of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) is raised by the Surry County Historical Society, Inc.; and for the 1978-79 fiscal year the sum of thirteen thousand five hundred dollars ($13,500), twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500) of which will be available to the Surry County Historical Society, Inc., for the purpose of beginning interior restoration at the Franklin House, the remainder of which will be used by the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, to provide technical services to the Surry County Historical Society, Inc., for the project provided an amount of twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500) is raised by the Surry County Historical Society, Inc. Funds appropriated in this act shall be expended only in accordance with G.S. 121-11 and G.S. 143-31.2.
Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective on July 1, 1977.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 1st day of July, 1977.

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