Josephus Daniels House facts for kids
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Josephus Daniels House
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1520 Caswell St., Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Area | 3 acres (12,000 m2) |
| Built | 1920 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001342 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 |
The Josephus Daniels House is a special historic building in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is also known as Wakestone. Today, it is used as the Masonic Temple of Raleigh.
This house was built in 1920. It was the home of Josephus Daniels until he passed away in 1948. Mr. Daniels was a very important person. He served as the United States Secretary of the Navy for President Woodrow Wilson. He helped make the modern United States Navy strong in the 20th century.
In 1976, this house was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important place in American history. After Mr. Daniels died, a group called the Freemasons bought the house. They still use it today for their meetings.
Exploring the Wakestone House
The Josephus Daniels House was given the name Wakestone by Josephus's wife, Addie Worth Bagley Daniels. It is located in a quiet neighborhood north of downtown Raleigh. The property covers about 3 acres of land. It has a beautiful landscaped yard.
The house faces west. A curved driveway leads to parking areas. The house itself is a large, two-and-a-half-story building made of stone. It has a U-shape, with a main part and two wings at the back. In the 1950s, the Freemasons added a large meeting space to the back. This new part matches the original stone. It fits in well with the rest of the house.
Architectural Style and Features
The front of the house has a grand entrance. It features a large porch with four columns. These columns have special Egyptian-style tops. They support a triangular roof section called a pediment. The main door has windows on the sides. Above the door is a balcony with an iron railing.
Inside, the house still has many of its original beautiful details. Some of the upstairs bedrooms have been changed into meeting rooms. A wall at the back was removed to connect to the large meeting wing.
Josephus Daniels was a very important leader for the United States Navy. He served as the Secretary of the Navy from 1913 to 1921. This was during the time of President Woodrow Wilson.
Mr. Daniels helped prepare the Navy for World War I. He made many important improvements and changes. He believed in education for everyone. He helped provide learning chances for sailors who were poor or could not read well. He also allowed women to join the Navy. This was a big step forward.
Daniels also worked to make things fair. He stopped alcohol from being served in officer's dining areas. He also fought against unfair deals in government contracts. Later, he became the United States Ambassador to Mexico. He stood up for what he believed was right, even when it was unpopular with some American businesses.
