Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bergen-Carpender House

1924

— James B. Lynch, architect —

Bergen-Carpender House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

1. Bergen-Carpender House Marker

Inscription. Prairie style house built for Walter John Bergen (1859-1931), secretary of Alexander Sprunt & Sons, cotton brokers; and wife, Mary Madden (1867-1947), natives of New York. Purchased in 1947 by Edwin Robinson Carpender (1882-1965), native of New Jersey, estate agent; and wife, Elovine Tyrrell Burruss (1865-1968), Wilmington native and community activist. Inherited by daughter, Dame Catharine C. Carpender K.M., civic leader.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 34° 14.296′ N, 77° 55.756′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Princess Street and North 16th Street, on the right when traveling west on Princess Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1519 Princess St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marshall House (within shouting distance of this marker); Harrison-Norden House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fisher House (within shouting distance of this marker); Calder-Stevens Bungalow (within shouting distance of this marker); McCulloch B. Wilson House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Darby-McDonald House (about 300 feet away); Foy-Taylor House (about 400 feet away); Warren S. Johnson House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding Bergen-Carpender House. From

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 25, 2024

2. Bergen-Carpender House Marker

Marker is to the right of the front door.

the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Library's Center for Southeast North Carolina Archives and History:

This collection consists of letters, pictures, articles, and other memorabilia belonging to Dame Catherine C. Carpender. Born on July 9, 1915 in Virginia and raised in New Brunswick, NJ, Catherine Carpender moved to Wilmington, NC in 1948. For her charitable work with a clinic in Malta, she was made a member of the Order of Malta and was awarded the Cross of Merit. Dame Carpender spent a great deal of time traveling abroad, primarily in the Mediterranean region and India. … In addition to extensive traveling, Dame Carpender also participated on a number of boards and committees. Most of these were charitable organizations including the Cambodian Relief Fund and the American Women’s Hospital Service. She also served as vice-chairman of the Binder-Schweitzer Pan American Indian Foundation. Most notably, Catherine Carpender was both the director and assistant director of the Albert Schweitzer Awards from 1974 to 1981. Included in this collection is material pertaining to the Schweitzer Awards, especially the awards given in 1975
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[one to Mother Teresa] and 1981.

Also see . . .
1. Bergen-Carpender House (PDF). Historic research report includes more details about the house and those who owned and/or lived in it. (Prepared by Beth Keane, 1999; via Port City Architecture collection, New Hanover County Public Library) (Submitted on February 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Carolina Heights Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this as a contributing property and was listed in 1999. (Prepared by Beth Keane; via National Archives) (Submitted on February 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. What a Dame! The spirited matriarch of the Dames Inn. The 1924 home, built for Walter Bergen, secretary to mercantile magnate Alexander Sprunt, has become known as a gently haunted inn. … [The spirit], of course, is The Dame of Wilmington, Catharine Carpender, a delightfully complex and some might say vexing woman known for strong drink and matching language who died at the age of 85 in the upstairs master bedroom in 2000. (Mark Holmberg, Salt Magazine) (Submitted on February 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.