Historic Artists' Homes and Studios Program Welcomes Thomas Day State Historic Site

Thomas Day State Historic Site in Milton is the newest affiliate member of the Historic Artists' Homes and Studios (HAHS).

Historic Artists' Homes and Studios (HAHS) is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that brings together a diverse coalition of museums that were the homes and working studios of American artists. HAHS leverages the collective experience of its member sites to create a strong community of practice focused on preserving and interpreting artists' spaces for public engagement. Through this network, they work to share best practices, foster innovation, and promote the power of place in telling the story of America's visual arts heritage.

Thomas Day State Historic Site is now part of this important group of sites capturing American creative life across two centuries, bringing the total to 93 member sites, spanning 32 states.

"The staff and I are extremely honored by Thomas Day’s inclusion into the program," said DeAsia Noble, Site Manager, Thomas Day State Historic Site. "We believe that recognizing Day's work within the broader narrative reinforces the importance of the diversity of American artists and the remarkable skill, talent, and creativity found in cabinetmaking."

Noble continued, "this designation is a profound honor not only for our local community but also for the state of North Carolina, the capital and home of American furniture making.”

"Each new member of the HAHS coalition brings a distinct story of place and artistic practice, and this class is no exception,” said Valerie Balint, Director of Historic Artists' Homes and Studios. “These thirteen sites span centuries of American creative life, from the Arts and Crafts movement to mid-century modernism to contemporary land art, and together they deepen our understanding of the many forms artistic innovation can take. We are proud to welcome them into a community that is dedicated to amplifying all the ways in which a place can tell us about the artist and the work created there."

Thomas Day State Historic Site preserves the home and workshop of Thomas Day (c. 1801-1861), a free Black master cabinetmaker who became the largest furniture maker in North Carolina by 1850. Day’s work blends Greek Revival, Gothic, and Italianate influences with elements reflecting his cultural heritage and can be found throughout the Virginia and North Carolina Piedmont. The site tells the story of his life and craft within the broader history of free Black life in the antebellum South.

The site is open Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m, offering guided tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Connect with Thomas Day State Historic Site online or follow them on Facebook.