Boyd House

This residency program has nurtured and inspired hundreds of writers over the years. Many attribute their flow of creativity to the beauty and solitude Weymouth offers.

Requirements

• Be a North Carolina native, current resident, or have significant ties to North Carolina
• Publication credits (poems, short stories, screenplays, novels, articles or works of nonfiction)
• A plan to work on a specific project during the stay
• A minimum stay of one week (arriving on Monday and leaving the following Monday), with a maximum stay of two weeks per year

For each writer, we provide a room with a desk, bed with linens, and reading chair. Food and beverages, toiletries, towels/facecloths and travel expenses are the participant’s responsibility. The writers’ area of the house has a full kitchen; three baths; a sitting room; covered veranda; and four bedrooms. In order to preserve the peace and solitude in the writers’ section, please use earphones when using any audio playback features on your devices, and keep phone conversations at low volume.

The requested minimum contribution for the Boyd Residency is $300 per week in addition to the $25 non-refundable application fee. This allows Weymouth Center to continue investing and reinvesting in the house, grounds, and residency programs to assure availability and support for our writers for years to come.

history

The Boyd House was completed in 1922 on the original 3000 plus acres.  James and Katharine Lamont Boyd lived together until James’ passing in 1944.  Katharine lived here for another 33 years.  During their lifetime, they were generous with the community, honored and host writers, and welcomed many in their home.

In 1977, Sam Ragan, NC Poet Laureate and publisher of The Pilot, along with Paul Green, Elizabeth S. (Buffie) Ives and others organized a group of colleagues to preserve and protect the Boyds’ legacy, the Boyd House and its beautiful surroundings. Friends of Weymouth, Inc. was chartered as a nonprofit corporation which purchased the home and grounds in 1979 to establish a cultural center. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities opened its doors on July 20, 1979.

Since then, it has served as a writers’ residency for 40+ years, and is the site for meetings of the N.C. Poetry Society, literary readings, dramatic performances, musical concerts and recitals. James Boyd’s study is the home of the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame, established in 1993.

• A sample of work produced within the last two years.
• A resume that includes publications, awards, and honors. 
• A 250-word essay describing the project applicant plans to work on during residency which includes why time at Weymouth Center will support project progress. 
• A minimum stay of two weeks (arriving on Monday and leaving Monday), with a maximum stay of four weeks per year.
• Applications will be reviewed and determined primarily on the quality of submitted work samples by a panel of three esteemed professionals.

For each writer, we provide a room with a desk, bed with linens, and reading chair. Food and beverages, toiletries, towels/facecloths and travel expenses are the participant’s responsibility. The writers’ area of the house has a full kitchen;  a sitting room; covered porches; and four bedrooms. In order to preserve the peace and solitude in the writers’ section, please use earphones when using any audio playback features on your devices, and keep phone conversations at low volume. Rooms available to meet accessibility needs.

The requested minimum contribution for the Lamont Cottage Residency is $400 per week in addition to the $25 non-refundable application fee. This allows Weymouth Center to continue investing and reinvesting in the house, grounds, and residency programs to assure availability and support for our writers for years to come.

The Lamont Cottage includes four spacious bedrooms with work areas and ensuite bathrooms.  The age of the cottage has allowed for two of the bedrooms to be designed to increase accessibility through reasonable accommodations where structurally feasible.  For each writer, we provide a room with a desk, bed with linens, and reading chair. Food and beverages, toiletries, towels/facecloths and travel expenses are the participant’s responsibility. In order to preserve the peace and solitude in the writers’ section, please use earphones when using any audio playback features on your devices, and keep phone conversations at low volume. Rooms available to meet accessibility needs.

Writers share a well-equipped kitchen, dining area, large living room, two porches and an in-house washer and dryer.

Please note: tobacco and vaping products are prohibited in the house and on the Weymouth Center grounds.