Want to buy James Taylor’s childhood home?
Singer-songwriter James Taylor’s childhood home in Chapel Hill is set to be auctioned, and bids are being accepted until June 29.
In 1952, Taylor’s parents, Trudy and Isaac, initially hired award-winning architect George Matsumoto to design their Chapel Hill home on about 23 acres at 618 Morgan Creek Road. The Taylors ended up parting ways with Matsumoto and hiring Durham architect John Latimer to finish the job. The house was sold to Pat and Jim Johnston in 1972, and their heirs are putting the property up for auction. Orange County property records value the home and property at $1.5 million.
AuctionFirst Inc. is managing the sale. Bids are being accepted until 3 p.m. June 29. The top three bidders will be invited to participate in a second round.
Sarah Sonke, president of AuctionFirst, which specializes in modernist and unique architectural homes, said in a news release: “This home still tells much of the singer’s story, right down to the two-bedroom guest house where James used to hang out with his four siblings and listen to music. His initials are still carved into the deck.”
Individuals seeking information or showings may visit JamesTaylorChildhoodHome.com or 919-601-7339.
Thirst4Architecture happy hour event
BuildSense, a design-build firm in downtown Durham, is hosting the Thirst4Architecture networking event on June 16.
These informal happy hours are free, open to the public and intended for “modernist homeowners, architects, artists, designers, Realtors, engineers, contractors, property investors, building managers, materials and furniture dealers.” Each event is 6-8 p.m.
The June 16 event is sponsored by N.C. Modernist Houses and Emilie Huin of Triangle Modern Homes Real Estate. It will be held at Build Sense’s offices at 502 Rigsbee Ave.
Those attending will be able to tour the firm’s building, which served as an auto service center for 30 years before BuildSense retrofitted it into one of the most energy-efficient buildings in downtown Durham in 2014, according to Retrofit magazine.
Info: ncmodernist.org/t4a.htm
Chicken keeping class
There are still spots available in garden writer Frank Hyman of Durham’s June 25 class on do-it-yourself coop design, demo and tour.
The class is 2-5 p.m., rain or shine. Cost: $35; free for children under 10. Attendees must reserve a space via Paypal at frankhyman.com.
Wrong time for drawing class
Our monthly guide to arts and crafts classes listed a wrong time for Vinita Jain’s weekend drawing classes for children. The classes are 9:30-11 a.m. for ages 7-15. Twelve sessions cost $220, including materials.
Vinita Jain’s studio is at 7412 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh. Info: 919-260-0214, vinitajain.net.
In case you have missed our monthly series, here are links: nando.com/yarnshops, nando.com/sewingshops, nando.com/jewelryclasses, nando.com/potteryclasses, nando.com/metalsmith, nando.com/woodworking, nando.com/paintingclasses and nando.com/drawingclass.
Andrea Weigl: 919-829-4848, aweigl@newsobserver.com, @andreaweigl
Comments