Abraham Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Abraham Hall
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Abraham Hall, December 2008
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 7612 Old Muirkirk Rd, Beltsville, Maryland |
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| Area | 3.9 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | John W. Jackson |
| MPS | African-American Historic Resources of Prince George's County, Maryland |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000146 |
| Added to NRHP | March 14, 2005 |
Abraham Hall, built in 1889, is a special historic building located in Beltsville, Maryland. It stands in the middle of a historic African American community called Rossville, in Prince George's County, Maryland.
A Special Place for the Community
Abraham Hall was built by a group called the Benevolent Sons and Daughters of Abraham. This was an African American society created to help its members. The building was first known as Rebecca Lodge #6. John W. Jackson built it in 1889.
Abraham Hall was a very important building for African Americans living in a time when society was segregated. This meant that Black people were kept separate from others. The hall served many purposes for the community:
- It was a meeting place for the society.
- It was a place of worship.
- It was a school for children.
- It was a social hall for community events.
The lodge hall worked as the community's school until 1922. That's when a new school, called a Rosenwald School, was built nearby.
The Building's Look
The building sits on a grassy area about 3.85 acres (1.56 hectares) in size. There are many old trees around it. Abraham Hall is a two-story building made of wood. It has a brick foundation and wood siding. The roof is made of shakes, which are like thick wooden shingles. A brick chimney rises from one side of the roof.
Between 1986 and 1991, the inside and outside of the building were carefully fixed up. They used original materials or similar new ones to make it look just like it did before.
A National Historic Landmark
Abraham Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This means it is recognized as an important historic site in the United States.
