The Page-Walker Arts & History Center

The Page-Walker Hotel, is Cary's most important historic landmark. Built in 1886 by town founder Allison Francis Page, and later sold to J.R. Walker, the Hotel provided meals and rooms to passengers on the North Carolina (Southern) and Chatham (Seaboard) railroads until 1916. Because of its historic significance and distinguished architectural style, the Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

From 1916 until 1980, the Hotel served as a boarding house and private residence. For five years, it sat vacant and deteriorated rapidly. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Town Council and Cary citizens, the following was accomplished:

• In June 1985, the Cary Town Council purchased the Hotel and related acreage.
• The Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, was formed to accept contributions and oversee the restoration of the Hotel for use as an arts and history center.
• The exterior of the Hotel was restored to its original design.
• Over $500,000 and thousands of volunteer hours were donated to the effort.
• In December 1991, the annex and the first floor were dedicated and open to the public.
• In September 1994, the renovation of the Page-Walker Arts & History Center was completed and a full-time arts programmer was funded.

Copyright © 2002 Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, Inc., Cary, NC. All rights reserved.