Jefferson Franklin Jackson House facts for kids
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Jefferson Franklin Jackson House
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The house in 2009
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 409 S. Union St., Montgomery, Alabama |
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| Area | 1.4 acres (0.57 ha) |
| Built | 1853 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000711 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 17, 1984 |
The Jefferson Franklin Jackson House, also known as the Jackson-Community House, is a special old building in Montgomery, Alabama. It was built in the Italianate style, which means it has a fancy, classic look.
This house is important because of its history. It was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 1978. Later, in 1984, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. These lists help protect important places in the United States.
History of the Jackson House
The Jefferson Franklin Jackson House was built in 1853. A man named Jefferson Franklin Jackson had it built. He was a lawyer who worked for the United States government in Alabama. He passed away during the American Civil War.
After his death, his wife married Thomas H. Watts. He later became the Governor of Alabama. The Jackson family and their relatives owned the house for many years. It was a family home until 1943.
A Place for the Community
In 1943, something wonderful happened. The Montgomery City Federation of Colored Women's Clubs bought the house. This group was made up of many clubs for African American women and young people. Their main goal was to help people be good citizens.
The house became known as the Community House. It was used for many important things. It was the main office for the Girl Scouts in the area. It also served as a place where people could meet and hold events.
A Library and a Movement
In December 1948, the Community House became even more special. It opened the first library in Montgomery that was open to African Americans. This was a big step forward for the community.
The house also played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement. It hosted meetings for the Women's Political Council. This group was the first to ask people to stop riding the city buses. They wanted to end racial segregation, where Black and white people were kept separate. Their call led to the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott. This boycott helped change laws and bring more fairness to the city.
