Currituck home designated as local historic landmark

Published 4:37 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2025

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The Joseph S. Dey House was approved as a local historic landmark by the Historic Preservation Commission. The house was built around 1841 and is located at 2757 Caratoke Highway in Currituck. Courtesy Currituck County

Variations of the “I-house” style. Courtesy Currituck County

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The Joseph S. Dey House has been designated as a local historic landmark by Currituck County commissioners.

The house, which is believed to have been built around 1841, was proposed for designation because of its exterior architectural style—an “extended I-house” layout popular in the mid-19^th century. “Homes of this type were built through shared knowledge carried by families and communities, and not by architectural blueprints, catalogue, or pattern books,” states the landmark report.

The Dey House is located on 0.89 acres at 2757 Caratoke Highway in Currituck, though it was moved in 1995 from 2756 Caratoke Highway to preserve it from demolition during the highway widening project. Oral tradition even suggests that it may have been moved from 245 South Currituck Road in 1850.

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The first documented owner, Joseph S. Dey, served as a postmaster in 1846 at the Currituck County Courthouse and was employed as a merchant.

Current owner Donald E. Hewitt requested the historic landmark designation. According to county planner Jenny Turner, who gave the presentation to commissioners at their June 16 meeting, the designation is an honor. “It means the community believes the property deserves recognition and protection,” she explained. The homeowner will now be eligible for up to 50% reduction in property taxes as long as the house preserves its historical elements and integrity.

The original pine shiplap siding is still present on the house, though it’s currently protected by vinyl siding.

To be designated as a historic landmark, Turner said, a property, building, site or project must be found by the Historic Preservation Commission to possess special significance in terms of its history, prehistory, architecture, archaeology or cultural importance, and must retain the integrity of its design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling or association.

A full report on the Dey House is available through the county website.

The Dey House makes the third local historic landmark in the county, joining the MC Poyner House in Moyock and the Culong House in Shawboro. Homeowners interested in designation are encouraged to contact the Historic Preservation Commission for more information.

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