My name is Karen Allen-Howard and I am raising funds to preserve and restore the historic John A. Mason House, a former plantation in Chatham County, NC. As caretaker for the house, I am deeply passionate about this 1850 Greek revival farmhouse that stands on the banks of Jordan Lake just a short walk from the Mason family cemetery and unmarked burial places of the enslaved people who worked the land. It is my goal to make investments in this important piece of North Carolina and Chatham County history in order to preserve the house and its stories for the benefit of future generations.

I am now undertaking this work on my own in recognition of my responsibility to ensure that this part of our history is respectfully and appropriately recorded as an homage to the generations of enslaved African Americans whose unpaid work contributed to the wealth and success of Orange and Chatham Counties and the region.

The house requires painting, insulation, woodwork repairs and much more that is beyond my ability to provide. To date I have painted most of the interior, eradicated the mice and bugs from inside the house and created the basics of a landscaping plan.

With your support, I can hire professionals to undertake the exterior painting and repair of the woodwork and the handicapped entrance ramp, as well as take on the task of insulating this historic property to mitigate the impact of temperature fluctuations on the beautiful wooden interior assets.

I am exceedingly grateful for whatever gift you can make and will steward the funds with integrity in collaboration with the descendants of the enslaved folks who built this plantation and whose work went unrewarded for generations.