In 1985 a group of like-minded homeowners in the Main Street Historic District of Elizabeth City organized the West Main Street Historic Association as a direct result of another homeowner wanting to remove his house from the locally designated historic district. With interest spreading throughout town, the organization quickly expanded to include all six historic districts of Elizabeth City. In 1986 the West Main Street Historic Association became the Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association (ECHNA). Although the preservation efforts have focused on the historic districts, ECHNA membership is open to all. ECHNA’s early years were spent raising funds through membership, yard sales, and home tours. Funds were used to help save the Pendleton House and the Jackson-Jennings House, as well as contributing toward the establishment of Moth Boat Park, the Episcopal Cemetery restoration, the Antioch Presbyterian Church renovation and many other causes. ECHNA played a major role in saving the former Chesson’s Department Store building, now home to The Center which was completed in 2002. It was purchased from ECHNA and restored by Arts of the Albemarle. Most tragically, one of ECHNA’s salvage projects, the intended preservation of the historic Haycock-Spellman home, ended in a blaze set by an arsonist. ECHNA has made contributions to the following historic preservation projects: On the Shores of the Pasquotank Book Reverend Forbes Marker at the Waterfront Main Street Lighting Project Wright Brothers Historic Signs in downtown historic district ECHNA is now involved with projects to save historic buildings and maintain the integrity of historic homes and buildings. A house on Cedar Street that was donated to ECHNA in January of 2015. ECHNA completed stabilization/repair/cleanup work on the Cedar Street house and was placed for sale. The annual GHOST Walk began in 1996, and remains ECHNA’s main fundraiser. The GHOST Walk invites locals and out-of-towners to visit historic homes in the area and meet local ghosts who teach guests about life in Elizabeth City during other eras.