‘A Pearl for Pocahontas’ ~ celebrating the 125th anniversary of Pearl S. Buck

Helena Gondry
Hillsboro Library Friends

Dr. David Corcoran, in his genteel and scholarly way, will speak about the historic ancestral home of Pearl S. Buck Saturday, September 16.

The Stultings, Buck’s maternal grandparents, emigrated from Holland before the Civil War and brought with them their fine craftsmanship skills and an enduring love of music and faith.

The home was built by hand with local resources and is swaddled in the quiet of misted cool mountains.

Buck’s mother, Carrie, was born in a landscape surrounded by a farming community. Her childhood was filled with tender memories of this place along with the love of aunts, uncles and cousins. However, in her young married life, she left her beloved home place for missionary work in rural China. Buck wrote the story of her mother’s life in The Exile and about the home in My Mother’s House.

A private, guided tour of the home place, led by Laura Dean Bennett, will take place at 4 p.m. to examine more closely the fine craftsmanship and construction of the building.

There is no charge for the tour. However, registration is required by contacting the Hillsboro Library at 304- 653-4936.

The community is invited to a potluck supper at 6 p.m. at the Hillsboro Library which will lead into the evening program.

At 7 p.m. Dr. Corcoran will present the history of the restoration of the Stulting home that was done during the mid 1960s and 70s. He was instrumental in getting the house on the National Historic Registry and opened it to the public in 1974.

In keeping with the theme of artistry, there will be a special exhibit showcasing beautifully crafted bowls made by members of the West Virginia Wood Turners from a mulberry tree that fell on the Pearl Buck property during a storm several years ago.