John A. North House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John A. North House
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Front and northern side
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 301 West Washington St., Lewisburg, West Virginia |
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| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | c. 1820 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001998 |
| Added to NRHP | October 9, 1974 |
The John A. North House is a special old house in Lewisburg, West Virginia. It is now a museum and a place where old records are kept. It's the only historic house museum in Greenbrier County. Since 1976, a group called the Greenbrier Historical Society has used the house. They bought it in 1992, and it became known as the "North House Museum, Greenbrier Historical Society."
Contents
The North Family's First Home
The North House was built in 1820 for a well-known local lawyer, John A. North, and his wife, Charlotte. It was built in a style called "Federal Style." This means it had a simple, balanced design. The house had two floors and was shaped like the letter "L."
Inside, there was a main entrance, a family living room, and a fancier living room for guests. There was also a dining room. The upstairs rooms were similar to the downstairs and were used for sleeping. The inside of the house was very fancy for the 1820s.
The outside was also special. It had a double porch with big columns holding up a triangular roof part called a pediment. The red bricks used to build the house were made right there! Workers dug clay from the front lawn and baked it in a special oven on the property. When it was finished, the North House was one of the first two-story brick homes in Lewisburg.
The North family moved into the house in 1821. They lived there until 1836. John and Charlotte North had five daughters: Mary, Margaret, Isabella, Martha Jane, and Charlotte. The Norths were a rich family. Sadly, they forced several enslaved people to live and work at their home. By 1850, John North forced twelve people into slavery.
While living in Lewisburg, John A. North had important jobs. He was a clerk for two different courts.
Changes Over Time
After the North family moved out, a local man named James Frazer bought the house in 1836. Mr. Frazer was already known for building a two-story brick building next to the North House. This building was used by a court.
Becoming a Hotel
After buying the North House, James Frazer and his family opened a business called the Star Hotel. Mr. Frazer changed the house's layout. He added two new sections, or "wings," to the building. These additions allowed him to open a popular local restaurant. He also created an affordable inn with rooms for travelers, lawyers, and judges. These guests would stay there when they came to court next door. The inn was also a popular stop for people traveling along a main road called the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. James Frazer also forced many enslaved people to work for him. At the time of his death in 1854, he forced twenty-five people into slavery. These enslaved people lived in small cabins on the property. They were forced to maintain and operate the inn and its grounds.
When James Frazer died in 1854, his son, James Jr., took over the inn. James Jr.'s family continued to live there after he died in 1860. In 1871, they sold the house to Colonel Joe McPherson.
A Private Home Again
Colonel McPherson bought the house for his daughter, Rebecca McPherson, and her husband, John Harris. The house then got a "Victorian Era" makeover. One of the hotel wings that Mr. Frazer had added was removed. New metal decorations were added around the windows. New gutters, columns, and other fancy details were put on the front of the house.
In 1905, Dr. Robert L. Telford and his family bought the North House. Dr. Telford had been a pastor at the Old Stone Church (Lewisburg, West Virginia). He later became the president of a school called the Lewisburg Female Institute, which later became Greenbrier College for Women. Dr. Telford later sold the house to Greenbrier College, and it became the home for the college presidents.
Modern Updates
In the early 1900s, the North House was updated to be more modern. In 1925, it had a big renovation. A two-story sunroom was added, along with a covered driveway called a porte-cochère. Closets were built, a new front door was installed, and central heating and running water were added.
The North House was also once home to the Lewisburg Seminary and Conservatory of Music. However, since 1976, the Greenbrier Historical Society has run the North House Museum from the building. The Historical Society has officially owned the building since 1992.
The North House was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it is recognized as an important historic site.
The North House Museum Today
The Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum work to collect, save, and share the rich history of the Greenbrier Valley. The museum has displays that show items from all over the area. These include:
- The training saddle for General Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveler
- An old covered wagon from the 1700s
- Items from the Civil War
- Furniture and fabrics made by local craftspeople
- Items that belonged to the North family
The Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum also offer fun educational programs. They have a research area where you can look up old information. They also give tours of the town and its old cemeteries. You can even become a member to support their work!
