For the Salisbury Post

SALISBURY — The Napoleon Bonaparte McCanless House at 619 S. Main St. saw more visitors in a few hours Saturday than it had in the past few years.

During a volunteer workday hosted by Historic Salisbury Foundation, more than 30 people showed up to clean and marvel at the granite house that retains many interesting architectural and historic features.

The volunteers swept the house’s three floors and cleaned brush that covered the yard, bringing the McCanless House a little closer to its original splendor.

“Presented with a huge task,” the foundation said in a news release, “volunteers of all ages enjoyed the house, doughnuts and the camaraderie of work and history.

“This volunteer day was a huge success and only the first of the events that will celebrate the legacy of the McCanless family and this iconic granite house.”

The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic Salisbury Foundation bought the property in June from Livingstone College.

Built in 1897, the Napoleon Bonaparte McCanless House is an imposing Second Empire-style structure that originally was home for the McCanless family, who are part of the long-term commercial success of Salisbury and Rowan County. Family members still reside in Salisbury.

“This house stands as a reminder of the vital members of this community, both from the McCanless family and the other owners of the property,” History Salisbury Foundation said in its news release.

For updates on the property, as well as the other work by Historic Salisbury Foundation around the county, call the office at 704-636-0103 or visit its website at www.historicsalisbury.org and sign up for emails.