Penelope Barker House

Penelope Barker House. Organizer of 1774 "Edenton Tea Party" , America's first political action by women. , A Brief History of the Barker House , 1757 , Thomas Barker marries Penelope Padgett. Penelope, 28 years old, twice widowed, had inherited substantial wealth. , 1761 , Thomas travels to London as North Carolina Colony Agent. Stayed 17 years, as Revolutionary War broke out he escaped via France. Penelope was busy in Edenton. , 1774 , Penelope summons 50 brave ladies to petition King George, publicly opposing the British Tea Act; "Edenton's Tea Party", first political action by women in America. , 1775 , British newspapers publish the famous caricature ridiculing the Tea Party women and lists their names. Creates a storm of interest. , 1782 , Thomas and Penelope build the Barker House on Broad Street, two blocks north of its current location. , 1952 , Owners sell land for commercial property. Donated house, if moved as a community building. Edenton organizations fund move to waterfront property provided by Town., 1972 , House fully restored. Placed on National Registry of Historic Sites. Becomes home to Edenton Historical Commission and Penelope Barker Welcome Center. , [other photo captions] , . Penelope Barker's women of Edenton signed an agreement declaring they were “determined to give memorable proof of their patriotism” by sending this petition to King George. , . Moving Barker House, 4 chimneys in place, took three weeks, movers place a bottle on window sill to prove their skill. Bottle did not fall. , . House at its waterfront site. Rotated 180 degrees to front the Bay, awaiting years of restoration, eventually home to Edenton Historical Commission and Welcome Center., This self-guided museum trail is numbered for convenience. However participants can begin or end where desired., The Museum Trail Signs are presented by the Edenton Historical Commission with support from the Edenton Woman’s Club. Special Thanks to Kip Shaw Photography and William Ahearn Arts.