YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
WeeKLy edITIOn
JUne 25-JUlY 1, 2025 Vol 47 No 26 | 1 Section | 8 Pages
Rogers loses job as Mendenhall Homeplace director Board sites budget concerns as reason By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
The Board of Directors of the Historic Jamestown Society met in closed session during the monthly board meeting on June 19 and voted to eliminate the position of director at Mendenhall Homeplace, meaning Shawn Rogers is out of a job. “Last night at our monthly board meeting the board voted to eliminate the position of Executive Director of Mendenhall Homeplace because of budgetary needs,” said Jay McQuillan, president of the Historic Jamestown Society in an email to board members.” “After reviewing our financial position, this action was taken to put HJS in a more
solid financial format to enter into our Capital Campaign this fall.” “Shawn has done a good job as docent and curator,” McQuillan added. “We need someone who goes out to the public.” Rogers was the only paid employee of Mendenhall Homeplace, which the Historic Jamestown Society oversees. He has been director since 2012, after volunteering and serving on the board for several years. The morning following the meeting, Will Ragsdale, a board member, contacted the Jamestown News to offer an explanation. Ragsdale spoke about plans to upgrade the Mendenhall Homeplace property. “We have hired Convergent in Raleigh to handle the capital campaign,” Ragsdale said of the campaign that has been in discussion for several years. “We have also worked with Freeman Kennett Architects in High Point to look at a site plan, more event-friendly and [with] a museum to keep the most important
“We will look at a staffing model as we go through the campaign,” Ragsdale said. “We are poised for growth.” Ragsdale said the board is looking where they want the Homeplace to be in 10-20 years. Ragsdale is the grandson of William and Mary Elizabeth Ragsdale who owned the Mendenhall property at one time, later donating it to the Historic Jamestown Society, Mendenhall Homeplace which they helped start. During the transition period, Mendenhall assets and tell Jamestown history.” Homeplace is temporarily closed but there “We want to rejuvenate Mendenhall are plans to reopen. Homeplace with a new venue,” McQuillan McQuillan said he could be contacted at added. “More events, more income.” 336-509-8481. McQuillan said the board wants to contact schools again for tours and that they will find DISCLOSURE: Author Carol Brooks, as media liaison people to lead the tours. to the Historic Jamestown Society, is a non-voting “We want to develop Mendenhall into a member of the board of directors. She did not attend more solid community asset for Jamestown,” the June 19 meeting. he said. “It’s a positive thing, not negative.”
COMPILed By CaROL BROOKs DeeP RIveR HIStoRY tAlk “The Deep River Speaks: A New Biography” will be presented June 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jamestown Public Library. The program is an exploration of how the Deep River created our cultures and still shapes us today. The river runs 125 miles in the Piedmont of North Carolina. John Lawson recorded in his diary of many bison, several Indian nations and fertile soil along the river during the years of 1700 and 1701, according to the Piedmont Trails website. Land grants were recorded as early as 1749. The talk will explore how the Deep River created cultures and shapes us today. The Deep River Riverkeeper, Inc., Historic Jamestown Society and Piedmont Triad Regional Council are the presenters. Speakers include Dr. Patricia Gray, chair of the board of directors and Riverkeeper Stephanie Stephens, with DRR; Ross A. Holt, director of Randolph County Public Library; and Alan Edmunds, attorney. Topics include an overview of the new Riverkeeper launch and strategic plan, followed by history presentations about Randolph and Chatham counties. The event will be in the computer room behind the checkout desk. For more information, visit www.deepriverkeepersnc.com.
‘No Kings’ protest held in Jamestown Photos submitted by Mary M. Platek via. Facebook
a “no Kings” protest was held in Jamestown on saturday, June 14, participating in a demonstration held across the U.s., to protest President Trump and his government policies. Twelve people gathered outside the Jamestown Post Office with signs and positive energy, drawing a few people off the street into the joining.
HAll oF FAMe MeMBeR Jamestown native Page Marsh has been elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and Museum board of directors. Marsh played golf at the University of North Carolina where she was named team most valuable player (MVP) from 1981-85. She was the golf coach at N.C. State University for 24 years and was the 2002 ACC Coach of the Year. Have an event that you think needs to be included in About Town? Email Norma B. Dennis at ndworddesign@gmail.com or Carol Brooks at cab1hp@gmail.com
Sedgefield Stables to become montessori school
By CaROL BROOKs FreeLANCe WrIter cab1hp@gmail.com
Having reached out to board members of the Historic Jamestown Society about recent events NORMA B. DENNIS concerning the Menndworddesign@gmail.com denhall Homeplace, I received little response. The few I did get were from those who had not attended the June 19 HJS meeting, and mainly suggested I talk to board financial reasons. (See story members who were part of “Rogers loses job as Menthe decision process about denhall Homeplace directhe current state of the his- tor”) toric landmark. That meant Shawn RogJay McQuillan, HJS ers, who has held that job president, and Will Rags- for over a decade, was out dale, board member, spoke of work immediately. The to my colleague about the Homeplace also has been need to eliminate the posi- temporary closed with a tion of executive director of sign placed on the door notMendenhall Homeplace, the only paid employee, due to see nOTes, PAGe 2
Notes from
norma
The sedgefield stables in 2022 by Carol Brooks. “Restoring and retaining as much of the barn’s history and charm is of extreme importance to our mission,” Hensley said. “We want the children and families to feel welcome and safe to explore their emotions while learning and developing in a safe and comfortable space. We feel the barn will provide just that.”
According to their website, “The Giving Tree Montessori School was established in 2025 by a family deeply passionate about the Montessori philosophy. Aiming to offer our youngest learners access to a Montessori program, they encountered lengthy waitsee sTaBLes, PAGe 6
adVErtisE in tHE JamEstOWn nEWs! We offer great, affordable packages to fit any budget. Call 336-316-1231.
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New life has been breathed into the former Sedgefield Stables and Barn now that the property has been sold. The Giving Tree Montessori School purchased the property at 3701 Groometown Road in Greensboro on June 3. The Greensboro Historic Building Trust sold the building and the one-acre site to Hensley Family Holdings. The school plans to restore the historic barn for the new school and open January 2026. The grounds will include a natural playground, space for a garden and areas for small animals. This way, students can learn about nature and gardening, connecting with the environment and plant and wildlife cycles. Giving Tree Montessori founder Gina Hensley spoke to media about the importance of the property.
history evolving