In 2024, over a century after it was removed, the original 18th-century carved woodwork from the Cupola House — one of the South’s finest colonial-era homes — returned to Edenton. Once housed in the Brooklyn Museum’s collection, this historic woodwork is back in its rightful place and is set to be fully reinstalled by 2026, perfectly timed for America’s 250th anniversary.
At the heart of this preservation project is Robert A. Leath, Executive Director of the Edenton Historical Commission and the Elizabeth Vann Moore Foundation.
A nationally respected preservationist and curator, Leath is currently leading three major projects: coordinating reinstallation of the original woodwork at the Cupola House; guiding the transformation of Hayes, one of the state’s most remarkable historic landmarks, into a dynamic, publicly accessible historic site; and the restoration of Edenton’s Kadesh AME Zion Church.
Leath’s decades-long career includes significant leadership roles at Colonial Williamsburg, Old Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, Historic Kenmore in Fredericksburg, and Historic Charleston Foundation.
His work has guided restorations of some of the South’s most significant sites and Leath has earned multiple lifetime achievement awards in the decorative arts. He remains an influential voice in historic preservation through his writing, curatorial leadership, and ongoing scholarship.
We are delighted to announce Robert Leath will be the Keynote Speaker for the Preservation Session at our 39th Annual Antique Show & Sale on Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00 am – 11:30 am.
He will be providing a captivating lecture titled “Restoring a North Carolina Masterpiece: Edenton’s Cupola House.” The Cupola House project not only restores a physical treasure, it reconnects Edenton with a piece of its cultural legacy.
Antique Show & Sale “Preservation Package” tickets are now on sale here (limited seating).
