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 cool old house in Lewisburg, West Virginia. It's now a museum where you can learn about the history of Greenbrier County, West Virginia. It's the only historic house museum in the county!
Since 1976, the Greenbrier Historical Society has used the North House. They bought it in 1992, and it officially became the "North House Museum, Greenbrier Historical Society."
Contents
The House's First Family
The North House was built around 1820 for a well-known local lawyer, John A. North, and his wife, Charlotte. It was a fancy two-story brick house, shaped like an "L."
Inside, it had a foyer, a family living room, a formal living room for guests, and a dining room. The upstairs had bedrooms for the family. The house was quite luxurious for the 1820s.
The outside was special too! It had a double porch with big columns. The red bricks used to build the house were actually made from clay dug right from the front lawn. This made the North House one of the first two-story brick homes in Lewisburg.
The North family moved in during 1821. John and Charlotte lived there with their five daughters: Mary, Margaret, Isabella, Martha Jane, and Charlotte. They were a wealthy family. Historical records show that people were enslaved by the North family at this house.
John A. North was an important person in Lewisburg. He worked as a clerk for several courts, including the Greenbrier District Court. The North family lived in the house until 1836.
How the House Grew and Changed
After the North family moved out, a local man named James Frazer bought the house in 1836. James Frazer was already known for building a brick building next door, which he rented to the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia.
Frazer and his family turned the North House into the Star Hotel. He changed the house's layout and added two new sections. These additions helped him open a popular restaurant and an affordable inn. Travelers, lawyers, and judges often stayed there, especially when court was in session nearby. The inn was also a popular stop for people traveling along the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. Enslaved people lived in cabins on the property and helped run the inn and grounds.
When James Frazer passed away in 1854, his son, James Jr., took over the inn. After James Jr. died in 1860, his family continued to live there until 1871.
New Owners and Updates
In 1871, Colonel Joe McPherson bought the house. He bought it for his daughter, Rebecca McPherson, and her husband, John Harris. The house then got a "Victorian Era" makeover. One of the old tavern sections was removed. New metal window hoods, gutters, and decorative pieces were added to 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 the Lewisburg Female Institute, which was later called the Greenbrier College for Women.
Dr. Telford eventually sold the house to Greenbrier College. It then became the home for the college presidents.
Throughout the early 1900s, the North House was updated to be more modern. In 1925, it had a big renovation. A two-story sun-porch and a covered driveway (called a porte-cochère) were added. The house also got closets, a new front door, central heating, and running water.
The North House has also been home to the Lewisburg Seminary and Conservatory of Music. Today, the Greenbrier Historical Society runs the North House Museum from this historic building. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, recognizing its importance.
The North House Museum Today
The Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum work hard to collect, save, and share the amazing history of the Greenbrier Valley. The museum has many permanent displays and special exhibits.
You can see all sorts of interesting items, such as:
- The training saddle of General Robert E. Lee's famous horse, Traveler.
- An old covered wagon from the 1700s.
- Artifacts from the Civil War.
- Furniture and fabrics made by local craftspeople.
- Items that belonged to the North family themselves.
The Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum also offer fun educational programs. They have a research library, give tours of the town and old cemeteries, and you can even become a member!
