Among those attending the Lexington Historical Association meeting recenlty were (left to right): Jim Taylor, a member of the building committee; Emmons Pinkham, president of the association; and new members Carla Dillon Jones and Charles Hall. (Laura Dunham photo) LEXINGTON — A progress report on the construction of the new historical house was given to the members of the Lexington Historical Association Sunday night, July 18, at the home of Wright and Connie Pinkham.

Jim Taylor and his wife, Linda, have donated 1.2 acres of land for the new 28-foot by 24-foot main house and 16-foot by 16-foot summer kitchen. Taylor, a member of the building committee, said that the application for the permit for constructing the building has been forwarded to LURC in Greenville for approval.

“If LURC doesn’t reply in 30 days,” added Taylor, “I guess we could just proceed but I really want to hold off until we get their approval.”

The building committee looked into several possibilities for a foundation —either a slab or a full foundation— and decided that they should go with a basement foundation.

With that announcement, Buster Pinkham said that he had a donation from his mom, Rosella Pinkham, of $1,000 as well as a donation from his sister and her husband, William and Verletta Lowell, for $400, and another $100 from their grandchildren for the foundation.

Mattingly Concrete of North Anson has also offered to help with the concrete and stone as has Greg Shaw of Kingfield, a mason who will help with the chimney. Member Clifford Norton said that Clinton Knapp said he would give the Association what they needed of bricks for the chimney.

Taylor told those present that the lumber has been sawed and stacked at his home near the proposed building site ready for construction, “If we can just get the building constructed this year and the windows in, we can worry about the siding next year,” he said.

David and Linda Miller reported on the fundraising and said that a silent auction will be held Aug. 21 at Happy Horseshoe Campground during the Lexington Home Days celebration, which starts at 10:30 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Everyone was asked to try and obtain items for the silent auction. Several offered to make baskets and Miller offered to do a wildlife painting.

Emmons Pinkham, president of the association suggested having a recipe table at the Old Home Days with samples of the food from the cookbook they are selling. There will also be a display of the history of Lexington from 1860-1865 when there was a population of some 600 residents. There will also be books on display about Lexington, tee shirts for sale and a 50/50 raffle.

It was decided to get out a newsletter to try and get more people involved.

“We are also interested in obtaining any old photographs of Lexington,” said Pinkham, and more recipes for our fundraising cookbook, added Linda Miller.

On Sunday, Aug. 22 the Pinkham reunion will be held at Happy Horseshoe as part of the weekend celebration.

New members Carla Dillon Jones and Charles Hall were welcomed.

The next meeting was held Aug. 8 at the home of Wright and Connie Pinkham.