A small cottage connected to one of Mars Hill University’s founding families was dedicated Thursday, May 24, 2018, following an extensive renovation.
The building, known as the Carter-Humphrey Dependency because of its proximity and historical connection to the Carter-Humphrey Guest House, will be used as an additional guest house for visitors to the university.
Renovation began in summer of 2017 through the work of the university’s facilities management staff and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Madison County. The university provides meeting space and other facilities for the Rotary Club and its projects, including the annual Hot Doggett 100 bicycling event which raises money for Rotary scholarships and service projects.
Rick Molland, president of the Rotary Club, said the volunteer effort fit perfectly with the club’s pledge to be “people of action, people of service” and gave Rotary members an opportunity to demonstrate their thanks for the university’s support. Beverly Lunsford, wife of university president Dan Lunsford, provided interior decorating service for the cottage.
Carter-Humphrey Dependency was built sometime between 1932 and 1945, adjacent to a residence for members of the family of Edward Carter, who sold the land on which Mars Hill University was established in 1856. The Humphrey portion of the buildings’ names honors the donor who provided a gift to help the school purchase both buildings in 1946. Carter-Humphrey Guest House was renovated in 2004-2005.
The buildings are located on the university campus, at the intersection of Bailey Street and Athletic Street. They are included in the Mars Hill University Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
