The Herndon Home
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The Herndon Home is located at: 587 University Place, NW The Herndon Home is a National Historic Landmark that
eloquently tells the story of struggle and achievement. It was the residence of
Alonzo Herndon, who overcame slavery, sharecropping, and Jim Crow to become one
of the foremost African American businessmen of his era. Owned and operated by
the Alonzo F. and Norris B. Herndon Foundation, the 1910 mansion seeks to tell
this compelling story to a large and diverse audience through tours, exhibits,
special events, publications, school programs, and other projects. The Herndon Home is a memorial to the Alonzo Herndon family. It was built in 1910 by Alonzo Franklin Herndon,
founder of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, and his wife Adrienne McNeil, a teacher
at Atlanta University. Their son Norris Bumstead Herndon would eventually assume the presidency of Atlanta
Life and with his stepmother, Jessie Gillespie Herndon, would work to ensure the family legacy. The
family's phenomenal achievement was its rise from slavery in Georgia to
leadership of the nation's African-American business community. Its tradition of
public service and philanthropy contributed substantially to the educational,
social, and cultural development of Atlanta. This building, its furnishings and
family papers richly document the significance of the Herndons within the broad
patterns of American history. The Herndon Home is a National Historic Landmark, one of a small number of historic properties in America that have
exceptional value in the heritage of the United States. The house was designed primarily by Adrienne Herndon
and was built by African American craftsmen. The 15-room house, which is Beaux
Arts Classical in style, is a fine example of upper income dwellings at the turn
of the century. The interior draws upon various design traditions, including the
renaissance revival forms of the reception hall and dining room, and the rococo
detailing of the music room. The house contains original furnishings and those
acquired later in the century by Norris, who traveled extensively in Europe and collected decorative arts for
what he envisioned as a museum in honor of his parents.
Atlanta, GA 30314
Voice: 404-581-9813
Website: www.herndonhome.org
E-mail:
info1@herndonhome.org
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