The History Channel(R) and Historic Salisbury Foundation and Lowe's Announce a Joint Project to Restore the McCubbins-McCanless House

The History Channel(R) and Historic Salisbury Foundation and Lowe's Announce a Joint Project to Restore the McCubbins-McCanless House

Restoration To Be The Focus Of A Save Our History(R) Special

NEW YORK and SALISBURY, N.C., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The History Channel, Lowe's, and the Historic Salisbury Foundation will be joining forces to restore the historic McCubbins-McCanless House in Salisbury, North Carolina, for a Save Our History special. The home, built in 1891, has fallen into disrepair and will be restored to its original grandeur and revealed in a special one-hour episode to air next year.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO )

Built in 1891 on land that cost just a dollar, the two-story Queen Anne Victorian was based on designs created by noted Southern architect George Barber. Over a century of weather and wear has taken its toll on this once- magnificent home.

This Save Our History program, hosted by Steve Thomas, will document the revival efforts covering every facet of the home -- from the foundation, plumbing, electrical, and landscaping to the masonry work on the four chimneys. The most impressive, and perhaps most challenging, aspect of the project will be the reconstruction of the second-story front porch with shingled gables, ornate turned post and solid brackets with intricate sunburst designs.

"All over America, historic structures are facing demolition or neglect," said Dr. Libby O'Connell, Chief Historian, The History Channel. "Working with an organization like the Historic Salisbury Foundation to rehabilitate this wonderful building reminds us of the importance of maintaining these powerful reminders of America's rich architectural heritage. And Lowe's sponsorship has helped make all this possible."

"The Historic Salisbury Foundation is honored to have been selected as a team member for this installment of Save Our History as we work together with Lowe's and The History Channel to restore this Victorian tour de force, an exuberant model of architecture from the late 19th century," said Jack Thomson, Managing Director, The Historic Salisbury Foundation. "The restoration effort of the Historic Salisbury Foundation, combined with Salisbury's rich heritage, continues to define our town as a leader in preservation. We commend The History Channel for producing programming that shows the nation that preserving our history, including our built environment, is essential."

Lowe's will be sponsoring the documentary in celebration of its 60th anniversary in 2006. The History Channel will donate the cost of restoration to the Historic Salisbury Foundation, which will oversee the reconstruction process. Lowe's will lend its expertise in home design and restoration.

"As part of our 60th anniversary in 2006, we wanted to extend our involvement in the Save Our History program in our home state," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's senior vice president of advertising and marketing. "Historic preservation has always been important to us and the restoration of the McCubbins-McCanless House will allow us to put our expertise and products to use for a historic event."

Salisbury, North Carolina, established in 1753, is located in the heart of the Carolina Piedmont in Rowan County. The town, which is steeped in history, was an important southern transportation hub developing from a region dating back to trading paths established by Native Americans. Salisbury is no stranger to restoration and rehabilitation. Historic Salisbury Foundation, a private nonprofit historic preservation organization charged with the mission of preserving, protecting and enhancing the rich historic architectural legacy of Salisbury and Rowan County, has saved and protected some 90 historic structures throughout the city over the last 30 years. The Foundation owns and operates the Salisbury Railroad Station, Dr. Josephus Hall House and Grimes Mill, all landmark structures for Salisbury. Restoration work on the McCubbins-McCanless House is to begin in late November 2005 and will be complete by September 2006. For more information please visit http://www.historicsalisbury.org/.

Now reaching more than 88 million Nielsen subscribers, The History Channel(R), "Where the Past Comes Alive(R)," brings history to life in a powerful manner and provides an inviting place where people experience history personally and connect their own lives to the great lives and events of the past. The History Channel has earned six News and Documentary Emmy(R) Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's "Save Our History(R)" campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel web site is located at http://www.history.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO
Source: The History Channel

CONTACT: Kathie Gordon, +1-212-210-1320, kathie.gordon@aetn.com, or
Katie Bradshaw, +1-212-210-9108, katie.bradshaw@aetn.com, both for The History
Channel

Web site: http://www.history.com/
http://www.historicsalisbury.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information and photography please visit us on the web at http://www.historychannelpress.com

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