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# About

Ritchie Hill is a 1906 Queen Anne Victorian that offers a beautiful and historic Southern venue for weddings, corporate events, parties, and family gatherings. The home sits on more than four acres in Historic Concord, NC, only one mile from the downtown business district. The close proximity to Charlotte and surrounding neighborhoods makes it easily accessible.

A complete restoration maintains historic architectural features with the addition of modern utilities and amenities:

- A covered 1,800 square-foot, front porch with two large second-floor verandas.
- Interior space designed for multiple configurations and various event sizes. We offer: a dining room, two formal areas, library, separate dressing areas for the bride and groom, and two handicap-accessible bathrooms.
- Private second-floor bathroom with shower for wedding party or event host.
- Large, professional catering kitchen.
- Onsite parking for 35+ cars.
- Areas for auxiliary tenting and “plush flush” restrooms.
- Landscaped gardens and outdoor entertaining areas.
- A/V hook-up for entertainment and meetings.
- First-floor access for anyone with movement limitations.

In addition to these features, Ritchie Hill provides a venue coordinator to assist in planning and supervising all events. We also provide a list of preferred design, music, and food vendors.

To download a floor plan of our space, please click here.

## Interior Design

The interior design for the home is early 1900's, Southern Victorian period-correct with modern finishes that provide aesthetics suitable for both casual and elegant occasions. Similarly, exterior lighting and landscape designs highlight the home's architecture and beautiful rolling grounds. The concept boards presented here represent the feel and versatility of the home's interior design. Special thanks goes to our talented designer, Caitlin DaValle.

Entrance and Porch
Event Settings
Bridal Room and Sleeping Porches
Dining Room
Dressing Room
Catering Kitchen
Library and Office

## Our Story

Affectionately known as Ritchie Hill, our home has been part of Ritchie history since 1906 when purchased by Charles F. Ritchie and his wife, Lily. Charles was a teacher in Albemarle, NC and worked in a hardware store before he moved to Concord. When he married Lily Patterson, he opened Ritchie Hardware Store in downtown Concord. As soon as Charles and Lily could afford a home of their own, they bought Ritchie Hill which at the time, was considered to be "in the country." The acreage allowed the Ritchies to have a cow and a couple of pigs, as well as chickens and a large vegetable garden to feed their growing family. Over the years, the land was divided to provide lots for Charles and Lily's children. Today, the home, with its large porches and unique architectural details, still sits on four and a half acres - the largest tract of land in the downtown historic area.

Circ. 1916

Siblings Robert, Beth, Heath and Doug Ritchie inherited the house together from their aunt Margaret in 1997. Stories of life growing up at 391 Union Street are rich with descriptions of family gatherings eating grandmother's chicken and dumplings every Saturday. Pound cake, rum cake, and cheese straws filled the table, with cookies and boiled custard to round out the menu. It was paradise for any kid growing up, really. You can hide dozens of Easter eggs in the big front yard, play football until dark and continue with 'Capture the Flag' when the streetlights come on. You can even roller-skate across the front porch, rain or shine!

Our big front porch hosted many parties, rehearsal dinners, teas, bridge clubs and weddings. It remains everyone's favorite feature, unique to Ritchie Hill. The first floor porch spans over 1,800 square feet, with two sleeping porches on the second floor. From the porches, you look onto an unbroken tree line that makes you feel feels like you are up in the mountains.

After several years of planning and working closely with the City of Concord, the Ritchies are delighted to share a North Carolina landmark home that will make memories for decades to come.

Special thanks to the Charlotte Observer and Haily Wilson for the content of this piece.