Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris House
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3626 Bever Ave. SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1963 |
| MPS | Twentieth Century African American Civil Rights-related Resources in Iowa MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 100006115 |
| Added to NRHP | February 4, 2021 |
The Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris House is a special historic building located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history.
Contents
A Special Home with a Story
The story of the Harris House shows how a community worked together. It also highlights the challenges many families faced in the past.
Finding a Place to Live
Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris moved to Cedar Rapids in 1957. They had a large family and needed a bigger home. However, they found it very hard to buy land to build on. This was because they were African American and many neighborhoods were not open to them.
Robert Armstrong, who owned a local department store, wanted to help. He owned land next to his own home. He decided to give this land to St. Paul's Methodist Church. He suggested the church sell the land to the Harris family. The money from the sale would go to the church's building fund.
The Church's Big Decision
The land was in a wealthy neighborhood called Indian Creek Hills. At the time, this area was only for white families. Selling the land to the Harris family caused some debate. A business partner of Armstrong, Jack Hatt, lived across the street. He led the opposition to the sale.
In 1961, the church held a meeting to decide. People worried about property values. But the real reason for concern was often about race during that time. The church had a history of supporting social justice, which means fighting for fairness for everyone. After much discussion, the church members voted. A large majority, 460 to 291, voted to sell the land to the Harris family. This decision was very important. It showed the church's commitment to equality. However, some members who voted "No" left and started a new church.
Building Their Dream Home
The Harris family's new home was finished in 1963. It was a two-story house with an attached garage. Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris raised their 12 children in this house. Just as Robert Armstrong had predicted, the neighbors' property values were not affected. The house became a symbol of progress and community support.
Who Were Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris?
Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris were important leaders in their community. They worked hard to make Cedar Rapids a better place for everyone.
Dr. Percy Harris: A Community Leader
Dr. Percy Harris was the first black doctor in Cedar Rapids. He served the community in many ways. For 38 years, he was the medical examiner for Linn County. He was also the President of Medical Staff at St. Luke's Hospital. Dr. Harris served on the boards of many community groups. He was president of the Cedar Rapids chapter of the NAACP. The NAACP is an organization that works for civil rights and equality. He also served two terms on the Iowa Board of Regents. This board oversees public universities in Iowa.
Lileah Harris: A Champion for Learning
Lileah Harris was also a talented and active person. She was a painter, poet, pianist, and singer. She was very involved in her church. Lileah believed strongly in lifelong learning. At age 62, she earned a degree in Russian from the University of Iowa. She also served on the Cedar Rapids Human Rights Commission. This commission helps protect people's rights.
Their Lasting Legacy
Lileah Harris passed away in 2014 at age 83. Percy Harris passed away three years later at age 89. They had been married for 63 years. In 2019, a building was dedicated in their memory. This building now houses Linn County Public Health and Child and Youth Development Services. It stands as a reminder of their important contributions to the community.
