Mordecai House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mordecai House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mimosa St., Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Area | 3.9 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built by | Joel Lane |
| Architect | William Nichols (1824 renovation) |
| Architectural style | Hall and Parlor/Federal/Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000474 |
| Added to NRHP | July 1, 1970 |
The Mordecai House is a historic home and museum in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was built way back in 1785. This special house is the main attraction of Mordecai Historic Park. It's also the oldest house in Raleigh that's still standing on its original spot!
Besides the Mordecai House, the park has other cool buildings. You can see the birthplace of U.S. President Andrew Johnson here. There's also the Ellen Mordecai Garden, the Badger-Iredell Law Office, Allen Kitchen, and St. Mark's Chapel. This chapel is a popular place for weddings.
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Discovering the Mordecai House History
The oldest part of the Mordecai House was built by a man named Joel Lane. He built it for his son, Henry Lane. At one time, this house was the center of a huge farm, or plantation. It covered about 5,000 acres, which is a very large area! This made it one of the biggest plantations in Wake County. Joel Lane is considered one of the people who helped start Raleigh. He sold 1,000 acres of his land to create the city.
How the Mordecai House Got Its Name
The house got its name from Moses Mordecai (1785–1824). His first wife, Margaret Lane, inherited the house from her father, Henry Lane. After Margaret passed away, Moses married her sister, Ann Lane.
In 1824, Moses Mordecai decided to make the house bigger. He hired William Nichols, who was the State Architect at the time. Nichols was famous for his work, including remodeling the original building of the State House. In 1826, four new rooms were added. This made the Mordecai House look like a grand Greek Revival mansion.
The Mordecai Family's Role in History
The Mordecai family came from Germany. They were one of the first Jewish families in the United States. Many family members were important in local and state government.
Jacob Mordecai (1762–1838), Moses's father, started a school for girls. Moses Mordecai was a well-known lawyer. He had two sons, Henry and Jacob, and a daughter, Ellen, with his first wife. With his second wife, he had another daughter named Margaret. Henry Mordecai became a successful farmer at Mordecai House. He was also elected to the State Legislature.
The Mordecai family owned many enslaved people who worked on their large farm and in their home. The historic site shares the stories of both the free and enslaved people who lived there. These stories include powerful accounts from three former enslaved individuals.
Margaret Mordecai, Moses's daughter, later inherited the mansion. Her family members continued to own and live in Mordecai House until 1967.
Land Sales and Community Growth
Over the years, the Mordecai family sold off parts of their land. This land was then divided into smaller plots for new homes. This helped Raleigh grow and expand.
In 1867, George Washington Mordecai gave land to create a cemetery for soldiers. He also donated land for Wake County's first Jewish cemetery. The nearby Oakwood Cemetery was started in 1869. The area around it, once known as Mordecai Grove, became the large Oakwood neighborhood. In 1974, Oakwood became the first neighborhood in Raleigh to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Saving the Mordecai House for Everyone
Mordecai family members owned the mansion until 1967. At that time, the house and its land were put up for sale. People who cared about history protested. The city of Raleigh then bought the property. They gave it to the Raleigh Historic Sites Commission to turn it into a historic park.
The commission worked hard to get many of the original Mordecai family belongings back. They also saved the family's old papers and books. Today, Mordecai Historic Park is managed by the City of Raleigh. The Mordecai House is now a special Raleigh Historic Landmark.
Exploring Haunted Stories at Mordecai House
The Mordecai House is famous in Raleigh for its spooky stories! Many people believe it is the most haunted house in the city. It was even featured on a TV show called Ghost Hunters. The team from the show, called TAPS, investigated some of the strange claims.
Since 2017, a special group called The Ghost Guild Inc. has been the official paranormal research team for Mordecai Historic Park. They investigate the house and other buildings at least three times a year. They share what they find at the park's annual festival every October.
What People Have Reported Seeing and Hearing
Visitors and workers at the house have reported seeing a woman. She is described as wearing a long black skirt, a white shirt, and a black tie. People say she moves quietly through the hallways. Some even say you can see her standing on the balcony late at night! In recent years, visitors have also said they hear a piano playing when no one is there.
See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in North Carolina
- List of reportedly haunted places in N.C.
- List of the oldest buildings in North Carolina
- List of residences of presidents of the United States
Images for kids
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The Mordecai House, a historic landmark in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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The birthplace and childhood home of U.S. President Andrew Johnson, located in Mordecai Historic Park.
