Henegar House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Henegar House
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Front of the Henegar House in Charleston, Tennessee.
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 458 Market Street Charleston, Tennessee |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1849 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001764 |
| Added to NRHP | July 6, 1976 |
The Henegar House is a really old and important house in Charleston, Tennessee. It was built way back in 1849. This makes it the oldest brick building still standing in Bradley County. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Contents
A Look at the Henegar House History
The Henegar House stands on a very historic spot. It was once the military headquarters for General Winfield Scott. This was at a place called Fort Cass.
Building the House: A New Beginning
The house was built by Henry Benton Henegar. He worked closely with Chief John Ross. Henry helped the Cherokee people during a very sad time. This was the Cherokee Removal, also known as the Trail of Tears. During this time, many Native Americans were forced to leave their homes.
After this difficult period, Henry and his wife, Margaret Lea Henegar, came back to Charleston. They built their new home in 1849. An architect named William Baumann designed the house. It was built in the Federal style, which was popular back then.
The Civil War and the Henegar House
The Henegar House played a big role during the Civil War. It became a headquarters for generals from both sides. Generals like William T. Sherman and Oliver O. Howard stayed there. Other generals included Marcus J. Wright and Samuel Bolivar Buckner.
Even though Tennessee joined the Confederacy, many people in East Tennessee supported the Union. This included people in Bradley County. General Sherman spent a night at the house in November 1863. While there, he received orders to help troops in Knoxville.
There's a famous story about Mrs. Henegar and General Sherman. Mrs. Henegar supported the Confederacy. Sherman told her to leave the South for her safety. He said that "not even a bird would remain" after he was done. But Mrs. Henegar refused to leave. She declared that she and her husband, who supported the Union, would stay.
Recognizing Its Importance
The Henegar House was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 6, 1976. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site.
In 2010, the house became part of the Civil War Trails Program. This program helps people visit important Civil War sites. A famous painter named Don Troiani was asked to paint the house in 2011. The painting shows "Sherman Leaving the Henegar House - December 1, 1863." You can see this painting at the nearby Hiwassee River Heritage Center. The house was put up for sale in 2013.
