By definition, jollification is lively celebration with others; merrymaking. And that’s exactly what my husband and I did this past weekend in Hertford, NC. We left our home in Central Virginia early in the morning Saturday, to travel to the town which is located on the Perquimans River in coastal North Carolina.

We purchased tickets in advance to tour the historic homes and sites with the Hertford National Register Historic District. There were fourteen stops along the tour, including Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, a small Gothic Revival structure built in 1849/50. The architectural design of the homes on the tour included everything from a Queen Anne-style house built in 1900 to a Sears catalogue bungalow built in 1936. Most of the homes had been lovingly restored by current or past owners, all the while maintaining the historical integrity of the homes.

After the tour, the Perquimans County Restoration Association hosted a dinner at the Newbold-White House, the oldest brick home in the state, dating back to 1732. A wonderful BBQ style dinner with fried chicken, pulled pork, scalloped potatoes, and cole slaw was served buffet style.

Earlier in the year, my husband and I had visited the Newbold-White House to see a replica periauger named Miss P. The periauger was the “truck” of the colonial days and vital for river transport of goods up and down the Carolina rivers. The periauger plays an important role in my manuscript, so I wanted to see an actual periauger “up close and personal.”

A painting of the Miss P was being raffled at the dinner. I had raffle tickets, and although I did not win the painting, Miss P is forever in my heart.

All in all, it was a wonderful getaway weekend with spectacular weather and views of the river. It was a pleasure to engage with the owners who were so welcoming to visitors who came by to enjoy the beauty of their historic homes.