"Love of Beauty is Taste. The Creation of Beauty is Art."--Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is Art." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm certain that Emerson would have considered the Bunch house, a century old Statesville, N.C. mansion, tasteful beauty at its finest. It is an enchanting home with an obvious outside beauty'"an art form. It is on the verge of being recreated to its historic fineness. It is located on N. Center Street, at the picturesque entrance to Magnolia Glen'" enticing condo units nestled behind the Bunch house in a park like setting with a decorative privacy wall. However, it's inner beauty and interesting history is beckoning to be told. It is easily recognizable by its exquisite architecture and white columns. Harry Tsumas and Robb Collier began as the primary developers of Magnolia Glen, which is now being managed by Tsumas. They are the ones with the foresight and business credibility to have created these upscale condo units with custom craftsmanship that is an intriguing lure for residents who are looking for a place to call "home."

It is interesting how sometimes our gut feelings can take precedence and override an initial planned event. However, "our gut," many times will guide us down the right path. This is clearly what happened to Charlotte Woodall. She was on her way to Hickory to place an offer on some property when she pulled off the interstate on a whim to take a look at the Bunch house and was touched to her core. She was impressed by its majesty and intrigued by the history of the house. She said, "This place is calling me to restore it. I looked up at the chandelier and I felt the house was saying, "Make me beautiful again. It needs cosmetic surgery'"a face lift."

The Bunch house was built in 1895 and was initially intended to be a school. The original plans included an auditorium upstairs, but the lack of time and money kept it from being completed. It opened in 1909 as the Feimster Graded School. Women's groups raised money to beautify the grounds and the building.

After it closed, Fred Bunch, Sr. from Adams, Tennessee and his wife, Lizzie, bought the land and building. They bricked it and added the portico with Ionic Columns in the front. They raised their eight children in the house. In 1930, Lizzie began Bunch Hatchery. She bought and incubated eggs and then sold the chicks to farmers in the area. It became one of the largest hatcheries in the state.

After World War II, their son, Fred Bunch, Jr. returned from military service. He bought the house when his parents moved to Florida and then he married Evelyn Sherrill.
Charlotte and her husband, Woody, are moving from Greenville, N.C. for their new beginning'"and I shall also add Statesville's new beginning in recapturing its past. Woody is a helicopter pilot. Charlotte is an EEG registered brain monotorist serving Grace and Valdese Hospitals. In addition, she is a talented artist and she is extremely excited about using her talents to accurately restore the Bunch house to its original beauty.

She is especially interested in restoring the kitchen to its 1930's format. She has already begun the project of hand painting tiles with baby chicks to go over the hood of the stove'"a reminder of the once thriving hatchery. In addition, she plans on painting wall murals.

The Woodalls are also interested in using the talents of local craftsmen for other enriching projects. Their plans are to recreate the appearance of the front. They also want to have a formal garden complete with a fountain and empire style gazebo. They can visualize the hosting of many parties and events, including weddings complete with old-fashioned buggy rides. Charlotte said, "We are excited about becoming a part of the community and restoring the house and offering it back to the community with flair." Their website is memoirsoccassions.com. Feel free to take a stroll around.

Statesville should feel touched that we will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Bunch house'"inside and out-- and the community of Magnolia Glen. As Emerson said best, we can then drink in "the beauty of taste and the creation of art." What a wonderful walk down memory lane and a great asset this will be to our community.