Footmen of the Sharpe House
Photo courtesy of the Silas Alexander Sharpe Foundation.
The “Footmen of The Sharpe House” is a premier youth development program at the historic Sharpe House designed for young people aged 8 to 18, utilizing the historic estate to foster character, impart practical life skills, and instill a strong work ethic. It is an initiative that actively fulfills the mission of the Silas Alexander Sharpe Foundation, “to use the house in the service of arts and education for the benefit of Iredell County, North Carolina, and the nation in general.”
Inspired by the precision and decorum of Edwardian service, the program evolved from a modern adult serving staff into a dedicated training ground for youth. The servers transitioned from traditional khaki and polo shirts to the distinguished livery of late Victorian and Edwardian styles, complete with white tie and tails.
Cultivating Essential Skills and Service Excellence
Photo courtesy of the Silas Alexander Sharpe Foundation.
Training is hands-on and on-the-job. New footmen and maids receive an estate tour and shadow a senior server during their initial workdays and events. The core curriculum is built around three foundational life skills such as:
History, Etiquette, and Proper Service
The cornerstones of the program, teaching the highest standards of decorum and hospitality.
Practical Skills
Basic housekeeping, kitchen proficiency, and even gardening and plant care.
Service Excellence
Mastery of formal service styles, including synchronized placement and removal of plated meals, proper tea service, and buffet service. Servers gain knowledge in multi-course dinner service, having served formal dinners of up to fifteen courses.
Training & Curriculum
Photo courtesy of the Silas Alexander Sharpe Foundation.
The program is open to young gentlemen and ladies ages 8-18. Acceptance is granted after an initial interview with both the candidate and their parents. Most footmen are referred by a current program participant, fostering a supportive, peer-driven environment.
Acceptance and Participation
Photo courtesy of the Silas Alexander Sharpe Foundation.
The Footmen Program provides real-world job experience and compensation. Youth aged 14 years and older are paid at an hourly rate, starting at $8 per hour and increasing to $10 per hour based on skill and performance after one year or more. Youth under 14 are classified as volunteers, earning community service hours for school (and sometimes compensated in pound cake!)
Financial Opportunity & Structure
Photo courtesy of the Silas Alexander Sharpe Foundation.
The "Footman Program" is profoundly important to modern youth and represents a vital investment in the community's future workforce and citizens.
In a time when many basic knowledge and skills are no longer commonly taught, this program bridges that gap. It provides young people with invaluable, practical knowledge and an understanding of the finer things in life they might not otherwise experience.
This program has a proven track record of preparing youth for success in life, college, and military service:
One former footman leveraged his experience to wait tables at a prominent Charlotte Country Club, helping to fund his college education.
A former maid credited the lessons learned at the House for assisting her in her transition to the Army.
The program is fully inclusive, with autistic students benefiting from learning alongside their peers and being given the same opportunities as everyone else.
A Program Worthy of Support
The Footmen of the Sharpe House is organized by Sharpe House site manager, Keith Rhyne - Photo courtesy of the Public Broadcasting Station.
WTVI PBS CLT featured The Footmen of the Sharpe House in a short and informative YouTube video explaining how the program got started, its positive impact, and how it continues to serve the community today! Click here to watch.
The Footmen of the Sharpe House Featured on PBS!
Preserving the Historic Sharpe House requires ongoing care and community support. Contributions help maintain the home, support educational programming, and ensure this important historic site remains accessible to future generations.