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🎉It’s Friend Friday, and today we’re excited to spotlight our friends Eric and Mary Christofferson, the proud owners of the historic Fuquay Springs Teacherage! Originally from Wisconsin, Eric and Mary moved to North Carolina in 1989 and have called Fuquay-Varina home since 2000. In 2003, they purchased the Teacherage along with Mary's sister Kathy and husband Jerry. Located at the corner of Ennis and East Academy Streets it is now home to 11 local businesses, including family counseling, elder law, and a call center. But it has quite a history. It was built in 1925 and was the home of the Charles Strickland family through 1945. It was then purchased by the Wake County School Board and served as a boarding house for teachers who worked just across the street. During the 1980's and 90's locals knew it as the Wolfpack House when Marek Alapin and his family lived there. Big NC State boosters, they had a Wolfpack sign on the front porch and a red thirty foot RV in the driveway. Rumor has it that NC State coach Jim Valvano, team members and other boosters enjoyed the Alapins hot tub shortly after their 1983 national basketball championship. Thanks to Eric and Mary’s efforts, the Teacherage is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a Wake County Landmark. 🎉2025 brings not one, but two incredible milestones: the 100th anniversary of the original home built by Charles Strickland in 1925, and the 80th anniversary of the Wake County School Board’s purchase and conversion of the property into a teacherage. A community-wide celebration is already in the works—stay tuned! When we visited Eric and Mary, we were drawn in by the depth of history they’ve helped preserve. Inside, the walls are lined with beautifully curated photos and captions featuring the Strickland family and the many teachers who once called the building home. Eric shared that even more stories and images will be added soon, continuing to honor those who lived, worked, and made memories here. Outside, the Teacherage garden is home to a meaningful piece of public art “Bengal Tiger – In Memory of Sydney”, painted in 2016 as part of one of The FVDA’s fundraisers. It’s a powerful tribute to their niece Sydney who died from brain cancer in 2015, but also a symbol of how this space combines art, history, community and businesses. Next time you’re downtown, stop by and soak up the history. Eric and Mary enjoy peaceful dog walks through Falcon Park, coffee at Cultivate or Stick Boy Bread Co., browsing K&B, lunch at Nils or El Cantarito, and evenings with drinks at Oaklyn Brewery, pizza from Aviator, live music, and a sweet treat from Pints. Saturdays often start with a trip to the Growers Market. Their favorite downtown event? The En Plein Air Paint-Off, which they love for how it brings community and creativity together. Why support the FVDA? “It’s one way we can give back to the community.” Thank you, Eric and Mary, for preserving a special piece of Fuquay-Varina’s past, for helping shape its future and being great friends of FVDA To find out more visit http://www.theteacherage.com/ (fb)