Historic Preservation Commission
Member Profiles

The Currituck County Historic Preservation Commission was created by Currituck County Board of Commissioners in 2017.

The goal of the commission is to promote interest in and advocate for the preservation of historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes in Currituck County, as well as increasing archaeological and architectural awareness.

One of the tasks of the Commission is to recommend properties as local historical landmarks after the property owner submits an application.

Josh Bass has lived in Currituck County since 1987, he currently resides in Moyock.

Josh graduated from Currituck High School and then went on to UNC Chapel Hill. Josh has previous work experience in education and the real estate industry. He is currently the President of the Currituck Chamber of Commerce.  Josh has a lifetime of community involvement with organizations, such as, the Whalehead Preservation Trust, the NC Cooperative Extension Service, the Outer Banks History Center, Pilmoor Food Pantry, the Currituck Economic Development Advisory Board, Future of Hampton Roads, the Currituck Education Foundation, the Currituck County Historic Commission, the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board, the North Carolina Local Government Commission.

“I was a history major; I have always been interested in history. I have always enjoyed visiting museums and I think my first real interest in historic preservation came when I was in high school and helped with the restoration of the Whalehead Club in Corolla. “

Mary has lived in Currituck County since 1986. She currently resides on Bells Island.

“I was a history teacher for 5 years in Chesapeake, Virginia, then a school librarian at Griggs Elementary School, Currituck Middle School, Currituck High School, then Jarvisburg Elementary School. I also taught AP US History for a year, and again twice as a long term substitute. I also worked as an adjunct professor for Old Dominion University, and am currently working part time for the Currituck Chamber of Commerce.”

“I have always had a profound interest in history and architecture, as my parents loved to visit historical sites. My major in History from the University of Richmond intensified this interest. “

Virginia has resided in Moyock since late 2014.

“I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Rutgers University in Marketing and a career background in administration. Along with a brief stint in real estate in Virginia Beach, I worked for Preservation Virginia giving tours of the old Cape Henry Lighthouse. I have also volunteered as a tour guide at the Hunter House Victorian Museum in Norfolk, Virginia.”

“I have loved old buildings my entire life and have always had an interest in tangible pieces of history. The beauty and largely untouched quality of the now landmarked M. C. Poyner house drew my husband and I to purchase it and move to Moyock. We have been enthusiastically restoring the 1899 Queen Anne Victorian and adjacent barn. I have a passion for Victorian-era architecture, and it is my hope that more people will start saving historic buildings instead of razing them.”

Sophie has lived in Aydlett since 1978.

“My career has been in public education beginning in Dare County as Director of Exceptional Children. When I moved to Aydlett, I taught at Dr. W. T. Griggs for 30 years.”

“I enjoy the beauty of the craftsmanship in historical buildings. I was pretty much surrounded by historic buildings growing up – my childhood home in Elizabeth City and a cottage on the beach that has been in the family 105 years. The farm we live on now is also of historic interest as well as Griggs School in which I spent considerable hours of my life. I was a docent for the Whalehead Club for several summers while they were working on its restoration. I love the stories of the families and folks that go along with historic places.”

 

Barbara came to Currituck to teach history in 1967 and taught for over 30 years; she resides in Currituck in the Historic Courthouse Area.

Barbara, a local historian and retired educator, is a graduate of Mars Hill University with a degree in history and received her M.A. Ed. and Advance Certification in Public History from East Carolina University. She has been active in the research, documentation, and preservation of the history of Currituck County and northeastern North Carolina.

She helped with the Currituck building survey and co-wrote the survey book.  She serves on the North Carolina Historical Commission and North Carolina National Register Advisory committee.  She organized the 350^th celebration for the 13 northeast North Carolina counties.  She worked on the Currituck Maritime Museum in Historic Corolla Park and is a former board member of the North Carolina Maritime Council.