About Us

Portal Heritage Society, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving of historical landmarks and the heritage of the people of the Portal area.  

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The society started in 1981 by Denver Hollingsworth and citizens of Portal who decided to get together and restore the still.  The following year, was the beginning of the Turpentine Festival which was designed to showcase the renovations to the still. 

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In 1991, the Portal Heritage Society, Inc. approached the family of Dr. John Stewart about restoring the Stewart House and  Drug Store. They graciously donated the property.  

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Since then, the Portal Heritage Society, Inc. has been working to continue with the preservation of the the E.G. Carter Turpentine Still, the Dr. Stewart House, and Portal Drugstore.

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Portal Heritage Society Founding Members

​Denver Hollingsworth
Dr. Frank Saunders, Jr.
Zelma Bland
Mr. Jack Lee ???​