Now, a storm that knocked two hardwood trees through the house's back wall has put a condemned notice on its front door.

The town of Chapel Hill posted the notice Thursday at 115 Battle Lane after receiving a citizen complaint. The order gives owners Sherman and Kay Richardson the options of demolishing portions of the historic but long-vacant house or rebuilding to correct the damage.

"It cannot be occupied in its current condition," said Maggie Bowers, senior code enforcement officer. "I believe it still can be saved if someone chose to do so in a timely fashion."

So do local preservationists.

They're working to acquire an option from the Richardsons so they can market the property for sale. They say that the rear of the house was an addition that has no historical significance anyway.

"It's a nice house," said Ernest Dollar, executive director of the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill. "It's sort of beaten up, but it's salvageable. I wouldn't be spending this much mental energy on this place if I didn't think so."

Graham, an English professor, had the house built in 1908 and lived there with his wife until 1914, when he became president of the university, according to "The Town and Gown Architecture of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1795-1975" by M. Ruth Little.

Graham named the house "The Bulrushes" for the cattaillike thicket that today completely obscures the house from the side facing Hooper Lane.

Efforts to reach Sherman Richardson were unsuccessful Thursday.

Officials with Preservation North Carolina said the damage doesn't change their plans to try to find a buyer. The agency handles 20 to 30 properties a year such as the Kidder Graham house and has helped save about 600, said Executive Director Myrick Howard.

"Historically, it was built by a very important person," said Regional Director Cathleen Turner. "It's a corner property. Corner properties are pivotal in any neighborhood. It really is a charming turn-of-the-century house."