Past Events
September 13 – Rosalie Reynolds Explore History! Series
The ICAA, North Carolina Chapter is pleased to be a partner of The Duke Mansion to support the Rosalie Reynolds Explore History! Series with presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Private Bank.
2026 Lecture Series – Between the Great Wars
As 2026 marks the semi quin-centennial of the Declaration of Independence, we will look at a few of Charlotte and North Carolina’s historic milestones from the 1770’s through WWII – from the great war establishing the United States to the great war that defined our country’s role in the world today.
September Lecture – Railroads 1852: a discussion on the introduction of the railroad into Charlotte in the mid-nineteenth century and how that spurred the region’s growth. More details forthcoming.
@ The Duke Mansion
Sunday, September 13 • 3 PM – 5 PM (doors open at 2:30)
This event is free for but advanced registration is required.
Register HereIt is central to The Duke Mansion’s mission and a strategic organizational imperative to tell and showcase our own history and share the impact on the community of the people who lived in The Mansion. We also believe we have a leadership role to play in the advancement of the importance of history across our community.
September 25 – A Moment in Time Luncheon with Kathryn Herman
A Moment in Time Luncheon with Kathryn Herman
Friday, September 25
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Pavilion at Quail Hollow Club
3700 Gleneagles Road
Charlotte, North Carolina
Presented by
Join the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, North Carolina for an inspiring luncheon and lecture with renowned landscape designer Kathryn Herman, whose work has helped define some of the country’s most celebrated residential landscapes.
Drawing upon nearly three decades of practice, Kathryn will explore the relationship between architecture and landscape, sharing how thoughtful site planning, horticultural knowledge, and timeless design principles come together to create landscapes that feel both enduring and deeply connected to place. Through a selection of distinguished projects, she will discuss the creative process behind designing gardens that complement classical and traditional architecture while responding to the unique character of each property.
Known for her award-winning work throughout the United States and internationally, Kathryn Herman has received numerous honors, including the Arthur Ross Award, Palladio Awards, Stanford White Awards, and recognition from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Her projects have been featured in Architectural Digest, Veranda, and House & Garden UK, among many other publications. Kathryn serves as a Trustee of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and is a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, College of Fellows.
Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to continue the conversation during lunch.
This lecture has been approved for 1 LA CES PDH (more information here)
SOLD OUT!
Kathryn Herman’s Book A Moment In Time: Designing a Country Garden will be available for purchase from Troubadour Booksellers and can be signed at the event.
Thank you to our sponsors:
JALA – Jeff Allen Landscape Architecture
Brought to you by the Bunny Mellon Curricula at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
The ICAA is very grateful to the Gerard B. Lambert Foundation for its generous support of this program, along with the Bunny Mellon Curricula Sponsors:
Premier Sponsor: Janice Parker Landscape Architects
Lead Sponsor: Hollander Design Landscape Architects
Continuing Education and Public Programs Sponsor: Charlotte Moss
October 9 – Design Matters – Raleigh
DESIGN DAY
Friday, October 9, 2026
9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Carolina Country Club | Raleigh, NC
$175 | Currently Sold Out — Waitlist Available – click here to be added
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, North Carolina Chapter (ICAA, NC) is proud to sponsor Design Matters 2026, a celebration of design, art, architecture, and the creative community of North Carolina. Taking place October 7–9 in Raleigh, Design Matters brings together nationally recognized designers, artists, and craftspeople whose work reflects a shared appreciation for beauty, tradition, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.
ICAA, NC is especially pleased to support Design Day on Friday, October 9, a full day of conversation and inspiration featuring four distinguished voices from the worlds of interior design, decorative arts, textiles, gardening, and floral design. The program includes a design lecture with Young Huh and Christopher Spitzmiller, moderated by Veranda Editor in Chief Steele Marcoux; a lifestyle lecture with Jane Scott Hodges; and a floral demonstration by former White House Chief Floral Designer Laura Dowling. The day will also feature a Pop-Up Shop and Antiques Corner, with book signings following the presentations.
Featured Speakers
Young Huh
Young Huh is a New York City–based interior designer whose work brings together classic and modern design principles, architectural detail, sophisticated pattern and color, and a sense of warmth and livability. Her firm works across residential, commercial, and hospitality projects, and her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and The New York Times. She has been named to Elle Decor’s A-List and Architectural Digest’s AD100.
Christopher Spitzmiller
Designer, author, gardener, and founder of Clove Brook Farm, Christopher Spitzmiller is known for his distinctive lamps, tableware, and ceramics, as well as his passion for gardening and country living. His work has been featured in leading interiors, including the White House, and his book A Year at Clove Brook Farm explores the beauty and rhythms of life in the garden and home. He serves on the board of the Garden Conservancy.
Jane Scott Hodges
Founder and CEO of Leontine Linens, Jane Scott Hodges has spent three decades championing the artistry of bespoke, heirloom-quality linens. Founded in 1996, Leontine celebrates traditional craftsmanship and the role of textiles in creating beautiful, personal, and welcoming interiors. Jane Scott is also an author and sought-after lecturer on design and gracious living.
Laura Dowling
Laura Dowling is a floral designer, author, and speaker who served as Chief Floral Designer at the White House from 2009–2015. Her signature approach, “Floral Diplomacy,” uses flowers to communicate culture, history, narrative, and hospitality. Her work connects the traditions of gardens and floral design with architecture, interiors, and the ceremonial arts, and she has designed floral and holiday installations for historic estates and cultural institutions across the country.
Design Day Schedule
9:00 AM — Check-in
10:00–11:00 AM — Design Lecture with Young Huh and Christopher Spitzmiller, moderated by Steele Marcoux
11:00 AM–1:00 PM — Light buffet lunch
11:00 AM–3:00 PM — Pop-Up Shop & Antiques Corner
12:30–1:15 PM — Lifestyle Lecture with Jane Scott Hodges of Leontine Linens
1:15–2:00 PM — Floral Demonstration by Laura Dowling
October 17 – Design Collaboration Panel at Antique Design Center of High Point
Save the Date
Design Collaboration: A Holistic Approach to Architecture, Interiors, Landscape & Construction in N.C. and beyond.
Saturday, October 17th – 2:00 pm
Antique Design Center
Located on the Ground level of Historic Market Square with a private entrance at
316 W Commerce Ave, High Point NC 27260. Entry also available through Market Square Tower, Market Square Courtyard and Market Square Suites and Salon.
Great homes are never the result of a single vision—they emerge through the collaboration of architects, builders, landscape architects, and interior designers working together to create places that are both beautiful and enduring. Join moderator Bronwyn Ford and panelists Alex Ancona, Jason Williams, Jeff Allen, and Mary Margaret Underwood for a conversation exploring how these disciplines intersect to shape exceptional residential projects throughout North Carolina. From concept to completion, the discussion will examine the power of collaboration, the importance of place, and the timeless principles that guide thoughtful design. Sponsored by the North Carolina Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Thank you to our hosts
The Antique & Design Center of High Point gathers 70+ of the country’s most talented and creative antiques dealers every Spring and Fall at High Point Market. Founded in 2010, we have been bringing the soul to High Point Market for 15 years!
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PARKING & ARRIVAL
Please note that the parking lot at the Antique & Design Center (ADC) is currently under construction. While they are hopeful that it will be completed before the event, on-site parking cannot be guaranteed.
Several paid parking options are available within a block of the Antique & Design Center, including a Salvation Army parking lot on Green Avenue, near the entrance at 316 W. Commerce Avenue.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive around one hour before the event to allow ample time to park and make their way to the Antique & Design Center.
The event will take place in the Welcome Lounge, where greeters will be available to direct attendees to the space.
May 31 – Rosalie Reynolds Explore History! Series
The ICAA, North Carolina Chapter is pleased to be a partner of The Duke Mansion to support the Rosalie Reynolds Explore History! Series with presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Private Bank.
2026 Lecture Series – Between the Great Wars
As 2026 marks the semi quin-centennial of the Declaration of Independence, we will look at a few of Charlotte and North Carolina’s historic milestones from the 1770’s through WWII – from the great war establishing the United States to the great war that defined our country’s role in the world today.
May Lecture – Tryon Palace – 1770: Explore the history of Tryon Palace and its importance before and after the American Revolution. In 1767, construction began in New Bern, North Carolina on the building now known as Tyron Palace. It was intended to be a convenient dwelling house for the British Royal Governor and any successor who filled the post. By the time it was completed in 1770 it was referred to as a “very elegant and noble palace.” It was a reflection of the British wealth and colonial rule, pad for through increased taxes levied on the people of North Carolina.
Rachel C. Kirby is a researcher, educator, writer, and cultural historian of the U.S. South, with experience working in public history, museum, non-profit and academic settings. As of late 2025, Rachel is the Research Historian at Tryon Palace Historic Site and Gardens in New Bern, North Carolina. In this presentation, Dr. Kirby will explore the colonial origins of the “Palace,” and how those fighting for independence used the building during and after the American Revolution.
@ The Duke Mansion
Sunday, May 31 • 3 PM – 5 PM (doors open at 2:30)
This event is free for but advanced registration is required.
Register HereIt is central to The Duke Mansion’s mission and a strategic organizational imperative to tell and showcase our own history and share the impact on the community of the people who lived in The Mansion. We also believe we have a leadership role to play in the advancement of the importance of history across our community.
October 18 – Rosalie Reynolds Explore History! Series
The ICAA, North Carolina Chapter is pleased to be a partner of The Duke Mansion to support the Rosalie Reynolds Explore History! Series with presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Private Bank.
2026 Lecture Series – Between the Great Wars
As 2026 marks the semi quin-centennial of the Declaration of Independence, we will look at a few of Charlotte and North Carolina’s historic milestones from the 1770’s through WWII – from the great war establishing the United States to the great war that defined our country’s role in the world today.
@ The Duke Mansion
Sunday, October 18 • 3 PM – 5 PM (doors open at 2:30)
Race & Slavery at Davidson College examines the College’s relationship to slavery and the subsequent exploitation of its employees following emancipation. The program also considers how Davidson has confronted this history and built upon its understanding of the past through education, commemoration, and reconciliation.
Dr. Hilary Green and Martha Gimson will discuss Davidson College’s efforts to bring previously untold stories to light, including the development of the With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, a public artwork by Hank Willis Thomas, and the Oak Row museum.
Together, they will explore the significance of these efforts and the ways in which institutions can engage with difficult histories while creating opportunities for education, reflection, and a deeper understanding of place.
This event is free for but advanced registration is required.
Register Here
May 1 – Sip & Sketch at Old Salem with MESDA
The ICAA North Carolina Chapter is pleased to partner with the Museum of Southern Decorative Arts to host a Sip & Sketch in conjunction with the 2026 A Modern Twist on the Classics: A MESDA Design Seminar.
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT
May 1, 2026
3:00-5:30pm
Old Salem Visitor Center
Wachovia Room
900 Old Salem Road
Winston Salem, North Carolina 27101
SCHEDULE
3:00-3:30 – Reception @ Visitor Center
3:30-4:00 – Class Session @ Wachovia Room
4:00-5:30 – Drawing Session @ Old Salem
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Throughout history architects and designers have continually looked to antiquity for inspiration and
instruction, studying historic buildings as precedent for contemporary practice. As students of the built
environment, we primarily turn to measured drawing and observational sketches as a medium for capturing
these precedents— which can vary in scale from something as small as a moulding profile, all the way up to a building façade study, or a site plan that illustrates the relationship between building and landscape. This course aims to introduce participants to a step-by-step process to produce measured drawings, and to provide an opportunity to put the process into practice by doing a guided measured drawing at a historic location in Old Salem, NC.
INSTRUCTOR
Alex Ancona is a project architect for the Charlotte, NC based architecture and interior design firm, Pursley Dixon. He is also a board member for the North Carolina chapter of the ICAA, as well as the inaugural recipient of the Kyle D. Taylor Memorial Scholarship. His love of drawing and historic buildings, particularly the 19th century log cabin he calls home, has led to continued study and appreciation of traditional architecture and details.
This event is free for all ICAA Members and MESDA Design Seminar Attendees, please register here
The Sip & Sketch is approved for 2.5 of AIA CES Learning Units Elective & 2.5 credits for the Certificate in Classical Architecture (Analytical Drawing).
ICAA, NC is pleased to be a major sponsor the 2026 A Modern Twist on the Classics: A MESDA Design Seminar in Winston-Salem, May 1 and 2. Moderated by J. Thomas Savage, MESDA’s longtime Design Seminar host and the Director of Educational Travel & Conferences at Colonial Williamsburg, this program brings together notable architects, designers, and gardeners to share the latest trends in design, and how they create harmony between a home, garden, and a space’s history.
During the Saturday seminar program, guests will hear from Edward Bulmer, Author of The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House, about his experiences using natural materials and rich color to re-envision the future of the English Country House. And then learn from design historian Scott Powell, author of Frances Elkins: Visionary American Designer, about the famed interior designer and the methods she used to merge traditional and modern home design while adding unexpected, timeless touches. After lunch, Steven Spandle, architect of the White House Tennis Pavilion, will share his journey with classical architecture, from his time working with Norman Askins to his current projects, including the design of his new home and his fascinating Americana collection. The day will close out with a book signing.
March – Tradition, Craft, and Meaning in Architectural Millwork — A Conversation with Brent Hull
Join the North Carolina Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art for an evening with master craftsman, author, and educator Brent Hull, exploring the lasting value of authentic architectural millwork.
March 25
5pm-7pm
Bird Decorative Hardware
2228 Hawkins Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
SOLD OUT!
Drawing on decades of experience in traditional craftsmanship and preservation, Brent will discuss how historically informed design and careful execution continue to shape meaningful architecture today. The lecture will also examine how principles of historic millwork can be successfully applied to contemporary projects, offering practical insights for architects, designers, and passionate advocates of the classical tradition.
Following the program, Brent will host a book signing for his most recent publication, Millwork: The Design and Manufacturing of Historic Millwork from 1740–1950.
We invite you to join us for this special program at Bird Decorative Hardware in Charlotte, and engage with one of the country’s leading voices in classical craftsmanship and preservation.
2. Understand how architectural design choices change architectural millwork.
3. Learn how industrialization changes the look of moldings and millwork.
4. Learn how to build more beautifully today by studying the past.
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Brent Hull is an award-winning master builder and expert in historically accurate architectural millwork and moldings. For over thirty years his craftsmanship has enhanced nationally registered properties and homes across the country. Hull honed his expertise at Boston’s North Bennet Street School where he trained in the art of traditional building and historic preservation prior to founding Hull Millwork & Hull Homes in Fort Worth, Texas. When Brent is not working with his teams, speaking or consulting about how to build better and more beautifully, he enjoys reading and writing about historic architecture. He has authored five books on historic millwork; his most recent book released this spring, Millwork: The Design and Manufacturing of Historic Millwork from 1740-1950.
Thank you to our sponsor
Order your copy of Millwork: The Design and Manufacturing of Historic Millwork from 1740 – 1950
March “My Greatest Design Secrets” with Jay Sifford at Wing Haven
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, North Carolina Chapter is pleased to partner with Wing Haven for My Greatest Design Secrets
Join us @ Wing Haven
Sunday, March 8
2pm to 5pm
Wing Haven
Elizabeth “Pepper” Dowd Education Building
248 Ridgewood Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
Speaker: Jay B. Sifford, Sifford Garden Design
Hear about Sifford’s discoveries from 20 years of garden design. Learn how to create a magical, immersive, and profound space versus ‘decorating a yard.’ I share tips on rhythm, lines, shapes, and light; creating theater using scrim; and the power of emotion.
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Cost is $50/member for Wing Haven and ICAA, NC members and $60/non-member
Virtual Recording: $10/Member, $20/Non-member
Registration includes live presentation in-person or a recording after the program. (Recording will only be available for two weeks)
Space is limited; register in advance
Make a Year End 2025 Gift to ICAA, NC!
December Appeal at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, North Carolina
Support us before the year end!
Giving Tuesday is over but you can still support the work of our North Carolina Chapter!
This year, we invite you to join the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, North Carolina Chapter (ICAA-NC) in celebrating the preservation and advancement of classical design across our state.
Our Goal: $25,000
To expand our educational programs, workshops, lectures, scholarship offerings, and member events, we have set a year end fundraising goal of $25,000.
Your gift—whether modest or substantial—directly helps us build a vibrant and enduring community of architects, designers, craftsmen, students, and supporters who believe in the power of timeless design.
How Your Support Makes an Impact
Your generosity fuels:
- Educational Programs & Lectures
Featuring leading architects, scholars, and practitioners who share their expertise. - Hands-On Workshops
Offering training in classical principles, traditional building methods, and the applied arts. - Scholarships & Emerging Professional Support
Nurturing the next generation of classical designers through meaningful opportunities. - Community-Building Events
Connecting individuals who value the enduring traditions of architecture and the arts.
Each contribution helps preserve craftsmanship, history, and the architectural heritage that shapes our built environment.
Ways to Give This Year
Make a Tax-Deductible Donation
Support our mission directly by making a donation of any amount. Every dollar contributes to educational programming and resources that enrich our community.
Give the Gift of Membership
Share your passion for classical architecture by gifting an annual ICAA-NC membership to a friend, family member, colleague, or student. It’s a lasting gift that supports the arts while welcoming new voices into our chapter.
Join Us in Celebrating Generosity
Your support ensures that the traditions of classical architecture and art continue to thrive in North Carolina for generations to come. Thank you for giving, for sharing, and for championing the beauty and importance of timeless design.