The Rowan Museum’s historic site in Granite Quarry, the 1766 Old Stone House, built by German immigrant Michael Braun in 1766, will be featured on UNC-TV’s “Our State” program on Thursday at 8 p.m. The Emmy-award winning program is produced and hosted by David Hardy.
Hardy and his camera and production crew spent three days on site in December 2011 with Kaye Brown Hirst, executive director of the Rowan Museum, filming at Rowan’s only surviving colonial site. Hirst was interviewed about the house and as an eighth generation descendant of Michael Braun. She, along with museum staffer Uta Braun and volunteer Robbie Cochran, were also filmed in colonial costumes, preparing food over an open fire and speaking in German.
Davyd Ford Hood, noted historical architect, was also filmed as he pointed out and described the architectural intricacies of the house. The producer and camera crew returned for the museum’s annual Old Christmas celebration at the house, as well as visiting several weeks ago.
The Old Stone House is considered one of the finest 18th century stone houses in the Southeast United States. Owned and operated by the Rowan Museum, it is open on Saturdays and Sundays (April through November) from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. The museum sponsors three major events there annually, along with their five history camps spending time on the property.
The house is one-half mile off Highway 52 down Old Stone House Road/Lyerly Street in Granite Quarry. For more information, call the museum at 704-633-5946 or email rowanmuseum@fibrant.com.