Richards DAR House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Richards DAR House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Richards DAR House in 2008
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 Location in Alabama
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| Location | Mobile, Alabama |
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| Built | 1860 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Part of | De Tonti Square Historic District (ID72000169) |
The Richards DAR House is a special old home in Mobile, Alabama. It is now a historic house museum, which means you can visit it to learn about the past. This beautiful house was finished in 1860 for Charles and Caroline Richards.
The house is built in the Italianate style. This was a popular style in the mid-1800s. It is also part of the De Tonti Square Historic District. This district is a group of historic buildings. The Richards DAR House is considered a very important part of this area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 7, 1972. This list helps protect important places in the United States.
Today, four groups of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Mobile work together to take care of the house. They make sure it stays in good condition for everyone to enjoy. Experts say it is one of the best examples of old homes from the 1800s in Mobile.
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A Look at the History of the House
The Richards DAR House has a long and interesting story. It was built in 1860 for Charles G. Richards. He was a steamboat captain and lived there with his wife, Caroline Elizabeth Steele.
The Richards family owned the house for many years. They lived there until 1946. After that, a company called Ideal Cement Company bought the house. They fixed it up in 1947 to use as their offices.
In 1973, the company gave the house to the city of Mobile. The city then let the Daughters of the American Revolution use it. They turned it into the museum we see today.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Richards DAR House is a two-story building made of brick. It is designed in the Italianate style. This style often includes fancy details and a grand look.
Outside the House
The front of the house has a beautiful cast iron porch. This porch is called a verandah. It has special figures that show the four seasons. The floor of the porch is made of marble and granite.
Look up at the roof line. You will see decorative brackets and panels. These are called cornices and soffits. The roof itself is a shallow hipped roof. This means it slopes gently on all sides.
Inside the House
When you go inside, you will find a large hallway on one side. This is a common design for homes from that time. One of the most striking features is a curved staircase. It winds gracefully upstairs.
The house also has beautiful marble fireplaces. The original bronze chandeliers are still there, hanging from the ceilings. These lights add to the historic feel. The windows are very tall and reach almost to the floor. They offer great views of the verandah outside.
