BATH — St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s Glebe House will be the subject of an upcoming special event hosted by Historic Bath State Historic Site.

The event is scheduled for Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon, according to Leigh Swain, site manager, and is offered free of charge.

“We’ll have a lecture presented by longtime Bath resident and Historic Bath Commission member Josie Hookway,” said Swain. “After the lecture, Mrs. Hookway will lead participants on a one block walk for a tour of the circa 1830 home, which is owned by the Diocese of East Carolina and is being restored to its former glory by St. Thomas Church members.”

The house was built by Samuel Lucas, a business partner of Joseph Bonner; it was later owned by Bonner’s son, Dr. William Vines Bonner. The historic structure at one time served as the home of John F. Tompkins, a founder of the N.C. State Fair. Tompkins also published and edited the “Farmer’s Journal”, the only book printed in Bath, according to Swain.

The Williams’ Glebe House officially bears the name of Civil War veteran Grandberry Williams, who purchased it in 1877. It remained in the Williams family until 1937, when it was acquired by the Rev. A.C.D. Noe for use as the rectory for St. Thomas Church.

“Glebe is an old term used to describe land set aside for the rector’s use,” Swain said. “They didn’t have a very large salary, so land provided them with a place for a garden and chickens, which helped sustain them.”

The visitor center orientation room, site of the lecture, comfortably seats 60 people so participants are urged to arrive early. For more information about this and other events hosted by Historic Bath State Historic Site, call 252-973-3971 or email bath@ncdcr.gov. Details may also be found at www.ncculture.com.