For the first time ever, the public will have an opportunity to tour the house where James Taylor spent his childhood years in Chapel Hill.
George Smart, the executive director of North Carolina Modernist Houses, calls the home a “great example of midcentury modernism.” The home was built in 1952 and was designed by award-winning architects George Matsumoto and John Latimer.
The house sits nestled in the woods on 23 acres off of Fordham Boulevard, near where the appropriately named James Taylor Bridge brings travelers into Chapel Hill.
Smart said he viewed the home last weekend and that visitors will likely be surprised with how small the house is where the Taylors brought up James and his four siblings.
Smart said as Taylor and his brothers and sisters were growing up and harnessing their musical talents, the Taylors ran into a problem many parents face.
“One of the issues was that the kids were playing music all the time and the parents couldn’t stand it,” Smart said. “So they built a two-bedroom guest house to the side where the kids could play music in the evenings and on the weekends.”
“JT” initials at childhood home of James Taylor. Photo via ncmodernist.org.
Smart said being able to say ‘This is where James Taylor grew up’ certainly adds to the “cachet” of the house, as it does with other celebrities, but there is an even stronger connection with this home and its famous former resident.
“I think what makes it special to Chapel Hill is that a number of James Taylor songs would reference Chapel Hill,” Smart said.
Smart said his organization has showings like this across the state for those who appreciate the midcentury-modern architecture, but he’s also hoping this showing will transplant James Taylor fans back to Copperline.
The open house will run from 10 o’clock until 2:30 on Saturday, June 4. Smart said they are expecting to sell out of tickets with around 500 guests coming through the home at staggered times. Tickets can be purchased here.
The home and 23 acres will then be going to auction later in June.
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