The Board of Directors of Mill Prong, Inc. is inviting the public to a Christmas Open House at Mill Prong House.

The historic home is located at 3062 Edinburg Road, Red Springs (in Hoke County). The Christmas Open House is set for Sunday, December 4 from 2-5 p.m.

In the late 1700s John Gilchrist, a Highland Scot, came with his family and settled in the region west of the Cape Fear Valley. He became a prominent, influential person and built the house in 1795. There he reared his family and conducted the business of the plantation. 

The house also served as a stage coach stop for overland travel from Cheraw to Richmond. The dwelling was restored, under the direction of the North Carolina Department of Archives and History in the late 1980s and is currently awaiting further exterior restoration.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the annex and examine the exhibit created by the History Department UNC-Wilmington. The display incorporates records, and correspondence of the plantation. An additional exhibit is available which features Floral College which was founded in 1846 by John Gilchrist’s son. It was one of the first educational institutions for women. One of the main structures of the college still stands at Centre Presbyterian church near Maxton.

Refreshments will feature several recipes taken from records from the house. These recipes are found in the book Keepers of the Hearth, available at $15. Tours of this “jewel of Hoke County” will be led by docents. The house will be filled with music and natural decorations of the period. In the 1700s, neighbors throughout the region greeted one another on Christmas morning by firing their flintlocks. 

This event is open to the public and families with children are encouraged to come and learn more about cultural customs of the times. Mill Prong House is open for visitation the first Sunday of each month from 2-5 p.m.

Mill Prong Preservation, Inc. is a 501 (c 3) organization. Donations received provide continued program development honoring Scottish Heritage. Checks may be made to: Mill Prong Preservation, Inc., and mailed to: P.O. Box 220554 Charlotte, NC 28222.

For more information please see the website www.millpronghousepreservation.org or visit the Facebook page at Mill Prong House, or call (910) 315-5385.