The oldest structure in the town, the home was originally built as a two story brick home in 1857 by Fielden Hale (1814-1894). Hale sold the home to James Wilkinson in the 1860's who paid for it in Confederate currency. At the end of the war, Mr. Hale unsuccesfully sued to get the house back. Wilkinson's daughter, Mayette, married George L. Carter who came into possession of the house in 1909 when Wilkinson died. In the 1920's the Carters added the top three floors to the house, added the wrap-around porches and the stucco exterior. When Mrs. Carter died in 1957, the home came into the possession of the county, which housed numerous offices there until the construction of the new Governmental Center.

 

Hillsville citizen Evelyn Botchen initiated the restoration of the Carter home--an act of love she started on Valentines Day, 2001.

 

Flash forward, and by July 2006, the Hale-Wilkinson-Carter Home Foundation, Inc. had received its first grants and began restoration by September of 2006. In March of 2010, the home was turned over to the Foundation from the county whereas additional restoration will proceed to finish the home back to it's glory. We offer tours of the home regularly.