From The Archives

Historic Beauty

Full of history, lovingly restored, and endowed with unique architectural elements, this 5023 square foot Queen Anne Style home with Eastlake features is beautiful beyond description. Situated on the corner of Main Street and Battle Avenue, the Royster House has one of Historic Tarboro’s larger lots and is one of the most important grand homes in the Tarboro Historic District. This magnificent painted lady retains her original 19th century charm with all the modern amenities.

Enter the antique original wrought iron gate and stroll along the 10’x94’ Herring Bone Crowned brick walk past the century old graceful magnolia and delicate dogwood trees. Take time to appreciate the architectural exterior details of this recently painted grand home which include a slate roof with floral pattern, steep pitched roof, gables with verge boards, sculpted chimney, wide eaves with brackets, lapped siding, wood shingle siding detail, diagonal trim boards, ornate exterior trimwork, turned porch posts and double gabled front porch with arches featuring elaborate grill work. Stop by the cloverleaf pond with fountain feature or ring the antique door bell to enter the home via the expansive front porch complete with porch swing and plenty of room for multiple rocking chairs.

The Royster house front entry reveals an open staircase with multiple landings, leaded glass entry door to the main hall, and a 26’ x 17’ front parlor with a gas fireplace, original slate mantel and pocket doors leading to the adjoining music room. The 16 x 19’ Music Room has another fireplace with beautiful wood mantel detailing, a 3’ x 8’ bay window and a separate door to the main hall. French doors from the music room open to the 25’ x 15’ Grand Dining room with original detailed oak paneled ceiling, paneled oak wainscot, grand fireplace and large bay with multiple stained glass windows. The Dining Room offers open access for entertaining with entrances via the French doors, a door to the main hall and another to the Butler’s Pantry. The Butler’s Pantry has built in cabinets with loads of storage and a fully functional antique ceramic sink and drain board. Pass straight through the Butler’s Pantry to the recently restored Gourmet Kitchen with pressed tin ceiling. This dream kitchen includes maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, sub-zero like refrigerator/freezer, double convection ovens, cooktop, double sink, disposal, dishwasher, granite countertops and a six foot center island for food prep. Passing through the kitchen you enter the breakfast room which has a separate door to the back yard and could be used as an office or craft room. The Butler’s Pantry also allows for access to the 20’x17’ glass enclosed sunroom with beautiful stone tiled floor. The light-filled sunroom offers an additional exit to the back yard, an enclosed staircase entrance to the 2nd floor sleeping porch, an entrance to the main hall and a separate ½ bath. The main hall with beaded panel wainscot offers access to the first floor 16’ x 15’ bedroom with a full bath complete with claw foot tub, walk-in shower with seat, decorator tile and radiant heated floor. The 25’ x 16’ second parlor features a built-in bookshelf, walk-in closet, fireplace and a mirrored bay window with multiple stained glass panels.

Take the open grand staircase upstairs to a large landing with storage closet and a door with access to the walk-up attic that covers the expansive of the main house. The 2nd floor features five expansive bedrooms ranging in size from 15’ x 12’ to 15.5’ x 20.5’. Two of the bedrooms share a full bath. The other three bedrooms have access to a separate second full bath with clawfoot tub. A room-sized walk-in lighted cedar closet adorns the back bedroom. Additionally upstairs is a 11’ x 9’ laundry room with a separate full sink and built in cabinets dating back to when it was used as a separate kitchenette. The sleeping porch with entrances off of the laundry room, main 2nd floor hall and stairs to the sunroom offers a screened relaxation view of the fully-fenced back yard with fountain and English garden.

The home retains the original woodwork and details, has 7 fireplaces, paneled oak doors, ornate chandeliers, recently refinished wood floors and too many unique historic features to list. The whole house has central heat and air conditioning with four separate zones. 75' x 290' in-town lot features beautiful landscaping, antique wrought iron fencing, fully fenced back yard, pond, two fountains, herringbone brick walk ways and a 16'x 18' cottage in back yard.