F. Julius LeMoyne House facts for kids
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F. Julius LeMoyne House
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LeMoyne House in Washington, Pennsylvania
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 49 E. Maiden St., Washington, Pennsylvania |
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| Architectural style | Georgian, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001271 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1997 |
| Designated NHL | September 25, 1997 |
The F. Julius LeMoyne House is a special historic home located at 49 East Maiden Street in Washington, Pennsylvania. Built in 1812, it was the home of Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne (1798–1897). He was an important activist who worked against slavery. Dr. LeMoyne used his house as a safe place for people escaping slavery on the Underground Railroad.
After the American Civil War, Dr. LeMoyne also helped educate formerly enslaved people. He even started LeMoyne–Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee. This college is still helping students today. The LeMoyne House is now a historic house museum. A local historical society runs it. In 1997, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important place in American history. The Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation also calls it a historic public landmark.
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What the LeMoyne House Looks Like
The LeMoyne House is in the middle of Washington, Pennsylvania. It is on the north side of East Maiden Street, which is also United States Route 40. This house is made of stone and has three stories. It was built in a style called Greek Revival.
Special Features of the House
The front of the house has two main doors. This was common for homes where someone also worked, like a doctor. One door was for family, and the other was for patients or visitors. Both doors have special covered entrances called porticoes. One portico has tall columns, and the other has flat columns called pilasters. Later on, long, narrow windows were added to the attic.
History of the LeMoyne Family and the House
The LeMoyne House was built in 1812 by Dr. John LeMoyne. He was an immigrant from France. His son, Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne, lived in this house for most of his life. He also worked as a doctor from this very home.
Dr. LeMoyne's Fight Against Slavery
In 1834, Dr. LeMoyne became very active in the movement to end slavery. This movement was called abolitionism. He gave speeches and helped organize groups to find political solutions to slavery. He was not as extreme as some abolitionists, but he was a key leader in anti-slavery groups until about 1850.
It is well known that Dr. LeMoyne helped people escaping slavery. He gave them shelter in his home. He also helped them in other ways before 1850. That year, a law called the Fugitive Slave Act made it harder and more dangerous to help freedom seekers. He likely continued to help people after this law, but it was much less documented.
Dr. LeMoyne's Other Important Work
Dr. LeMoyne believed in helping society in many ways. He supported starting the local library. He also helped fund two teaching positions at Washington & Jefferson College. And, as mentioned, he started LeMoyne College in Memphis, Tennessee. This college is now known as LeMoyne–Owen College.
The LeMoyne House as a Museum
In the 1930s, Dr. LeMoyne's daughter gave the house to the Washington Historical Society. They worked to make the house look like it did when Dr. LeMoyne lived there. Today, it is a historic house museum. You can take guided tours of the house all year long. The museum has old items from that time period. It helps people remember Dr. LeMoyne and his important work.
In 1953, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission put up a historical marker outside the house. This marker tells people about the house's important history. In 1997, the house was officially named a National Historic Landmark.
See also
