Investigations into the Oldest Standing Structure in North Carolina

Abstract

In 2010, Steven and Linda Lane purchased 304 East Queen Street, Edenton, North Carolina. While renovating the structure they discovered that it was much older than previously thought. The results of a dendrochronology analysis demonstrated that the Lane House was the oldest standing structure in North Carolina. As advocates of archaeology and wanting to learn more about the structure, the Department of Anthropology at East Carolina University was contacted to investigate the structure. Based on historic documents, its was hypothesized that the Lane House does not sit in its original location. Excavating under the structure and in the back yard a terminus post quem, 1849, was established for when the Lane House arrived at its current position. The archaeology was supplemented by historical research to refine the date to a 16-year range, 1894-1910, for when the relocation of the structure could have occurred.