History of The George Major Carriage House
 
 
History of The George Major Carriage House Circa 1900 Welcome to the George Major Carriage House, circa 1900. The Carriage House was built as a part of the George Major Estate at the turn of the century and was used as a barn. It was converted into a residential dwelling in 1923. The foundation of the actual carriage house is located at the rear of the property. Throughout the house you will notice beautiful mouldings and window trim. These are all original and made from heart pine. The house has three built-in cabinets with glass doors. In the gift shop, the cabinets have been refinished to the natural wood. Note the columns on the top and the panel work on the rear of the cabinet. You will also find built in cabinets located in the original dining room and the upstairs master bedroom. Both of these rooms are currently serving as dining rooms for The Carriage House Tea Café and Gift Shop. With the exception of some of the flooring in the gift shop, all of the flooring in The Carriage House is original. Through the efforts of the previous owners, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Boyce, the floors have been carefully refinished and brought back to original beauty. The curved stairway is unique to the house and has two beautiful stained-glass windows in the stairwell. The house was nicely laid out with three bedrooms and a bath upstairs. Spacious closets in all rooms was a rarity, but included. The tub and sink in the bathroom are originals as well ~ and include original Kohler fixtures! The wash sink has not been restored as of yet, but may be done in the future. The Carriage House was purchased in 1997 by Gene and Gloria Boyce from the North Carolina Preservation Society. The house was in neglected disrepair at the time the Boyce’s purchased it. The Boyce’s did extensive repairs to restore The Carriage House to its almost original residential state. They opened their antique store in The Carriage House as “Grandma’s Treasures” in 1998. In 2009, the Benjaminson family, purchased The Carriage House. Having grown up in Hertford during the summers, they remembered the days of walking through town and visiting the Gingerbread House for a cookie and hot chocolate, the Hertford Bookstore for a twenty five cent book, and Woodards Drug Store for a thirty five cent ice cream. Susan worked at The Wishing Well in Hertford as a young lady and had dreams of opening up her own Gingerbread House or Wishing Well one day. The Carriage House ~ Tea Café & Gift Shop has given our family the opportunity to work together remodeling to accommodate the café with a commercial kitchen, yet meet the restrictions of the North Carolina Preservation Society and maintain the integrity of a beautifully restored historic home. To meet the needs of all of their patrons, yet be able to maintain the original floor plan and historic integrity of the home, handicap access may be limited to the downstairs dining room, restroom and gift shop. In addition to all that The Carriage House has to offer, wedding planning and celebrations is their other thriving family business. “29:11 Celebrations” offers professional, full or partial wedding and celebrations service at reasonable prices. We are available to make your special occasion the most memorable day of your life. The Benjaminson/Robinson family is excited to offer the town of Hertford, their guests and visitors a new venue to enjoy. Sit down and chat with friends over a pot of tea, enjoy a light faire lunch or plan a celebration at The Carriage House ~ Tea Café and Gift Shop!
108 Dobbs Street, Hertford, North Carolina 27944
Hours of Operation
Sunday 10:00 - 2:00, Monday 9:30 - 4:00, Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday - Friday 9:30 - 4:00, Saturday 10:00 - 3:00
Now Open Friday for Dinner! 5:30 - 9:00
252.426.TEAS (8327)