The Historic Curran Alexander Snider House and Bazaar
Curran Alexander Vineyard Official Program
Submitted by The Charity League of Lexington
Welcome to 1697 NC Highway 150 South
History & Overview
The Curran Alexander Snider House was originally built in 1885 by local liquor dealer William Swicegood. Swicegood decided to sell the property and relocate to Missouri to avoid paying taxes on his products. When Curran Alexander Snider and his wife, Frances, originally viewed the property, they found an unfinished house. The Sniders felt the property would serve their growing family well and purchased it in 1899. They transformed the unfinished house into a family farmhouse, where they raised eight children, and farmed the property to produce tobacco, corn, wheat, and vegetables. Curran and his family occupied the home from 1899 until he died in 1959.
The home and land are now owned by Curran’s descendants. In 2001, Curran’s granddaughter, Jean Olive Stubbs, and her husband and sons decided to breathe new life into the land by turning it into a vineyard. The first vines were planted in 2001. The vineyard grows European varietals, including but not limited to, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio. The Stubbs family employs Childress Vineyard to produce their wines that they now proudly sell in their own Tasting Room.
A major restoration/ renovation of the home took place between 2006 and 2023, inspired by Jean Olive Stubbs and her brother, James E. Snyder, Jr., creating a thriving venue for special events such as weddings and vacations. The historic home retains its original charm, complemented by modern essentials to provide the perfect backdrop for such occasions.
Several markers on the property note the rich history of the area. The well house and hand-dug well remain beside the home.
The Front Porch
Decorated for the holiday season, the front porch of the Curran Alexander home invokes images of simpler days spent in rocking chairs, savoring the sounds of nature in the rural South. A beautiful Moravian star is suspended from the cypress ceiling. The porch’s original pine ceiling was replaced with cypress as it will endure centuries of weather. Beyond the threshold is a home filled with a wealth of family history, local history, North Carolina history, and American history.
The Front Hall
Guests are welcomed into the front hall, with its multicolored pine walls, hardwood floors, and rich-toned rugs. A portion of the home’s original plaster wall has been preserved behind plexiglass, and these preserved sections can be seen throughout the house. Alvin Sink made the stately grandfather clock. Sink, a local craftsman, was well known for his furniture. The blanket chest beside the clock is original to the home. A Singer sewing machine that has been repurposed as a table is flanked by a pair of velvet-bottomed chairs that are original to the home. Framed photographs of an early twentieth-century Reeds baseball team and students from Reeds Academy reflect the family’s love for local history.
The family refers to this area as the Military Hall for the many plaques displayed over the staircase. These plaques commemorate family members who served in the Armed Forces in every major conflict from the French and Indian War to Desert Storm. Every medal below the Medal of Honor is represented, including the legendary 82nd Airborne and the United States Marine Corps.
Guests should proceed to the left into The Parlor
The Parlor
Originally known as the Matrimonial Room, the parlor is dedicated to George Washington memorabilia, as he was known to have passed through Reeds on the way to Salem during his 1791 Southern Tour. The hardwood floor and vibrant rugs lend warmth to this gathering area. The original fireplace, mantle, and brick hearth anchor this space. A portrait of George Washington Snider, named in honor of the first U.S. president, hangs above the mantle. Furnished with several pieces original to the home, the parlor invites guests to explore American history. Framed historical prints depicting George Washington’s life as the General of the Army and as the first President adorn the walls. Revolutionary War patriots from the area are recognized with a plaque. Many local visitors have recognized the names of their family members.
Guests should proceed forward into the Dining Room
The Dining Room
This room is a cozy space to enjoy meals. Featuring a double-sided, working fireplace and a large bay window, the Dining Room is the heart of this home. A portrait of James Eugene Snyder, Sr. is displayed above the fireplace. He was the father of Jean Olive Stubbs and James E. Snyder, Jr.
The lazy Susan dining table was constructed from heart of pine wood that was over two hundred years old and was sourced from Maring County, N.C. The sideboard was created from this same wood. A portrait of James E. Snyder, Jr. is suspended above the sideboard. James was the grandson of Curran Alexander Snider and brother of Jean Olive Stubbs, (note the spelling of Snider evolved to Snyder).
Displayed beside the side door is a board that was discovered during the renovation period. It bears the inscription, “1886/1887…Grover Cleveland President. The oldest antique in the home is the 1760 Mangum family highchair that has been passed down through each generation of the family. The 1920 pie safe is original to the home and was purchased from the Sears and Roebuck Catalogue.
Guests should proceed to the left of the fireplace to the Kitchen
The Kitchen
The Kitchen was modernized during the 2006-2023 renovation. It is open and airy with large windows and French doors that open onto the back porch. White cabinetry, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a center island provide the perfect space for a wonderful culinary experience. The double-sided brick fireplace adds texture to the room. Although renovated, the fireplace retains historical significance with its original nineteenth-century, hand-hewn American chestnut mantle. The mantle was procured from the Ira C. Lyon House in Granville County, N.C. A rare 1872 Currier and Ives lithograph is displayed over the mantle. A print of UNC Chapel Hill, the beloved Alma Mater of Jean Olive Stubbs is also proudly displayed.
Guests should proceed to the left of the fireplace and return to the Front Hall
Downstairs Bath
The Front Hall provides guests with a modern half-bath featuring white tile and fixtures. A nineteenth-century “potty” that is original to the home is displayed, as well as an early nineteenth-century Tiffany lamp. The handwoven rug was made by a local rugmaker and neighbor, “Aunt Sally Parnell”.
Guests should proceed to the Master Bedroom to the left of the front door
Master Bedroom
The Master Bedroom is furnished with an elegant four-poster bed dressed in white. A blanket chest resides at the foot of the bed. The beautiful screens above the bed were brought back from Vietnam by Allston Stubbs after his military tour. A desk with elegant inlay makes for the perfect spot for personal correspondence. Framed documents and a plaque above the desk commemorate family member John Newton. Newton, a marine biologist, is known for his discovery of the USS Monitor, a Civil War ironclad ship, off Cape Hatteras in 1984. A portrait of Curran Alexander Snider is displayed above the original fireplace. The en-suite bath was part of the home’s renovation.
Guests should exit the room to traverse the original nineteenth-century staircase to the second floor, or they may opt to use the elevator in the hall.
The Upstairs Hall
The Upstairs Hall provides a better view of the family’s military accomplishments and service. The child’s rocking chair and the cane-bottom adult rocking chair are original to the home.
Guests should proceed to the left of the window into the “Birthing Room”
The Birthing Room
Originally known to the family as the “Birthing Room”, this corner bedroom now commemorates the political career of a relative, Willie P. Mangum. Mangum was a US Congressman and Senator in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In 1842, Senator Mangum was elected President Pro Tempore of the US Senate. The President Pro Tempore ranks third in line to succeed as President after the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.
The mahogany rice-carved bed is dressed in a soothing shade of blue. The blanket chest at the foot of the bed is a repurposed horse trough. Displayed above the bed is a framed photograph capturing a rare comet.
A portrait of Willie P. Mangum hangs above the fireplace, which is original to the home. Also of note is the nineteenth-century Currier and Ives print “Moss Roses and Buds”. Another rug created by “Aunt Sally Parnell is in the en-suite bath.
Guests should proceed across the hall to the “Whiskey Road” Bedroom
The “Whiskey Road” Bedroom
In the early 1900s, the Snider girls watched the traffic on the “Whiskey Road” from this room. Now known as NC Highway 150, the “Whiskey Road” was frequently traveled by wagons loaded with “corn liquor” to the Eastern seaboard for export.
The mahogany rice-carved bed is dressed in blue. The vibrant painting above the bed was created by Washington Allston, a pioneer of America’s Romantic movement of landscape painting. The chest of drawers is a period piece, and the cradle is a family keepsake.
Allston’s grandfather-in-law was a proud signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a framed copy of this document commemorates this honor. Photographs of the Snider family are displayed above the original fireplace. The Snyder and Olive Coats of Arms are also displayed. This room also provides an en-suite bath.
Guests should proceed to the left to the “Bridal Suite”. Another beautiful set of screens from Vietnam is located in the hallway to the “Bridal Suite”.
The “Bridal Suite”
Originally known to the family as the “School Room”, this space was chosen as the “Bridal Suite” due to its magnificent view of the vineyard and surrounding walnut trees. The four-poster Shaker style bed is elegantly appointed in ivory that complements the Persian rug. The pine blanket chest is original to the home. The additional furnishings belonged to the Stubbs family. The exposed brick behind the bed adds texture to the space and was the result of the kitchen renovation. Artwork in the “Bridal Suite” includes the painting “Sunflowers and Violets” as well as a beautiful portrait of Jean Olive Stubbs when she attended UNC-Chapel Hill. The “Bridal Suite” also features a luxurious ensuite bath with an elegant claw-foot tub.
Guests should exit and proceed to the left to the back staircase known as the “Education Hallway”
The “Education Hallway”
The walls of the back staircase, also known as the “Education Hallway”, are lined with plaques acknowledging the family’s educational journeys. It should be noted that there are family members who were in the first class at UNC-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest. Family members were also in the early classes of Harvard, Salem, College of Charleston, Wofford, Clemson, NC State, and Meredith College.
A nineteenth-century map of the NC Gold Registry, including lower Davidson County, is also displayed. NC was one of the largest gold-producing states in the nation before the 1849 California Gold Rush.
Guests should proceed to the right at the bottom of the stairs and exit via the Kitchen’s French doors to the back porch, down the stairs toward the vineyard, then proceed to the right and enjoy shopping at the Bazaar located in the Gazebo, Tent, and Tasting Room.
*Please note the early nineteenth-century American millstone on display as well as the nineteenth-century corn crib from Granville County. Framed farming implements are located on the side of the corn crib.
The Charity League of Lexington wants to thank you for attending our 65th Annual Holiday House. In doing so, you are partnering with us in our commitment to improving the lives of children and families within our community. Along with showing our appreciation to you for your continued support, we would like to extend special thanks to the following individuals and businesses listed below for their generous contributions to this event:
Allston and Jean Olive Stubbs, Curran Alexander Vineyard, CE Print Solutions Company, Inc., Zach Hayes of Hayes Jewelers, Bob Timberlake, Childress Vineyard, Richard Childress, Todd and Jodi Hunt, Team Rental, Brent Finley, Derek Dyda, Ryah Hopkins, United Rentals, Cass Key – Creative Director of Taylor King Furniture, Davin & Megan Brown of Meg Brown Interiors, Chelsea Manring, and Sherri Piotti.
The Charity League of Lexington, Inc. is an organization of women dedicated to rendering charitable assistance to individuals and organizations within the Lexington area. The Charity League has historically been concerned with the health, education, and welfare of the children of the Lexington area.
The Charity League strives to enhance the cultural experiences of the Lexington community and to promote within its membership concern for the betterment of this community’s standard of living. The Charity League strives to enhance literacy and educational opportunities in the community.
In 1935, the Charity League was founded by fourteen women who dreamed of making a difference in the lives of children in their community who were affected by the harsh economic times. Over ninety years later, their legacy lives on as members continue to give graciously of their time and talents to fulfill the League’s mission “to improve the health, education, and welfare of the children of the Lexington area. To provide services to the community and donate grant monies to local organizations focused on children’s needs and well-being, Charity League holds an annual fundraiser—Holiday House and the Bazaar of Holiday House. This event consists of a tour of a beautifully decorated home, and our Bazaar features crafts made by our members, as well as other craftsmen and vendors selling their wares. It is the perfect place to get a lot of things checked off your shopping list and even pick up something special for yourself. Your support is appreciated!
In Celebration of The Charity League of Lexington’s 90th Anniversary, donations were solicited in memory of or in honor of our longest-standing members. At the request of several of our generous donors, exceptions were made to include other family members as well.
In Memoriam
Kitty Anderson by Holmes & Tance Laughon
Margaret Barber by Jimmy Barber
Ann Bevans by Elisabeth Strillaccii
Evelyn Bingham by Ted & Ann Philpott
Meredith Bobo by Bit & Kim Holton
Helen Spruill Brinkley by Len Brinkley-Hackney
Mickey Brooks by Sparky Brooks
Juanita Brown by Holmes & Tance Laughton
Sara Cole Calvert by Andy & Libby Calvert
Penny Carter by Paul Green
Georganne Coble by Staley Nance
Mary Brady Coltrane by Ed & Linda Longs
Anna Conrad by Marinda McGuinn Maxwell
Rose Dameron by Susan Fowler
Em DeLapp by Beth DeLapp
Jean DeLapp by Ellen DeLapp Linder, Ruth DeLapp Sartin, & Myra DeLapp Moffitt
Sarah B. DeLapp by Julie Trimakas & Lee Peppers
Catherine Dick by Debra Dick Thrower
Pearl Hege Dick by Debra Dick Thrower
Isobel Craven Young Drill by Larry & Mary Young Hines
Carolyn Critcher Easter by Olen & Anne Easter
Buxton Fowler by Susan Fowler
Mildred Gee by Mildred Gee Akers & Elizabeth Gee
Shorty Grimes by Perry G. VanDyke
Virginia Hartzog by Doug & Nancy Hartzog
Henrietta Link Hinkle by Ian & Talmadge Silversides
Meryl Leonard Hodges by Leigh Hodges Earnhardt
Bobby G. Holton by Bit & Kim Holton
Nell Hood by Taylor & Anne Hood, Jack & Anna Ayers, Harrison & Morgan Hood, and Betsy Cowan
Joyce Mustian Inabinett by David & Elizabeth Inabinett and Family
Sally Lang by Sara March Barber, Katie Longest, and Betsy Pace
Julia Leonard by Jane Whitehurst
Marguerite Thomason Leonard by Phil Leonard
Mary Louise Moffit Leonard by Leigh Hodges Earnhardt
Mary Hill Moffit Linder by Ann Campbell Brooks & Bobbie Campbell Walker
Mary Hundley “Hun” Philpott Lowe by Bob Lowe
Julia P. Mauze by Charlie W. Mauze, Jr. & Jean Mauze Wheless
Jacob May by Deems May, Phillip McGirt, & Chuck McGirt
Katherine McCrary by Mac Parrott
Len McNeill by Birke & Amy McNeill
Betsy Wall Medford by David & Julia Dunn
Betsy Wall Medford by Carol Jean Wall
Ruth Owen Miller by Thompson, Kristie, Austin & Will Miller and Martha Ellen Smith
Daniel K. Moore, Jr. by Brock Moore
Edwina Moore by Ron & Susan Evans
Dot Myers by Deems May, Phillip McGirt, & Chuck McGirt
Evelyn Oats by Laura Oats Hubbard
Betty Parrott by Mac Parrott
Helen G. Philpott by Martha Philpott King
Louise Hilton Philpott by Harriet Hilton & Marylyn “Booty” Hilton
Sara March “Sadie” Philpott by Sara March Barber, Cabell Edmundson, Katie Longest, Fielding Lowe, and Betsy Pace
Ruth Scott Raker by Louie & Linda Cox
Mildred Ann Critcher Raper by Olen & Anne Easter
Delores Ratton by Deidre G. Philpott
Frances P. Ripple by Chris Ripple
Evelyn Cline Roach by Varner & Frances Sink
Sandye Saintsing by Tommy Saintsing
Mildred Reynolds Shoaf by Mark & Connie Motlow
Mary Belle Siceloff by Tim & Suzanne Coltrane
Charlotte Wiggins Sink by Varner & Frances Sink
Dot Sink by Anne Sink Prevette
Elizabeth Coltrane Sink by Ed & Linda Longs
Gracie Sink by Teenie Tilley
Jackie Thomason Sink by Paul Sink &Rebecca Sink
Libby Sink by Anne Sink Prevette
Polly Sink by Fred & Howell DiCocco
Eleanor Smith by Jerry Smith
Margaret Spruill Smith by Clark Smith
Sarah Lanier Smith by Michael & Lynda Swan
Marianna Sink Stoner by Fred & Howell DiCocco
Ruth Stoner by Fred & Howell DiCocco
Helen Strader by Pam Strader and Richard Strader
Julia Strader by Ann Strader Hanley
Jane Carrington Suddarth by Carol Wall
Marge Team by Robin & Katherine Team
Ella Timberlake by Dan Timberlake & Kelly Timberlake
Kay Timberlake by Dan Timberlake & Kelly Timberlake
Teen Timberlake by Tim Timberlake & Family
Jean Wall by Lissy Wall
Margaret Hunt Wallace by Joe Wallace
Margaret Walser by Carolyn Walser Johnson & Vance Walser
Margot Walser by Carolyn Walser Johnson & Vance Walser
Gerry Welborn by Bill & Melanie Welborn and Jay Welborn & Cathie Alexander
Janice Welborn by Daniel & Christina Welborn
Lillian Summers Welborn by Leigh W. Stephenson and David & Ellen Welborn
Thomas Wilson, Jr. by Michael & Lynda Swan
Helen Wright Young by Johnny & Sydney Beck
