Robert Toombs House State Historic Site facts for kids
|
Robert Toombs House
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 216 E. Robert Toombs Ave., Washington, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Built | 1797 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000410 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
The Robert Toombs House State Historic Site in Washington, Georgia, is a fascinating place to visit. It was once the home of Robert Toombs (1810–1885), a very important figure in American history. Toombs was a powerful politician from Georgia, serving as a U.S. representative and a U.S. senator.
He lived during a time of great change in America, especially leading up to the American Civil War. While he first disagreed with the idea of Southern states leaving the United States, he later became a high-ranking official in the Confederate government and then a general in the Confederate Army. Today, his home is a state historic site. It's like a museum that shows what life was like in the 1800s and tells the story of Robert Toombs. In 1973, the house was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a really important historical place for the whole country.
Contents
Exploring the Robert Toombs House
The Robert Toombs House State Historic Site is located on the east side of Washington, Georgia. It's a beautiful two-story house made of wood. The front of the house has a grand, two-story porch with tall, fluted columns. These columns are in the Doric style, which is a classic look from ancient Greece.
What the House Looks Like
When you walk up to the main entrance, you'll see windows on either side of the door. There's also a window above the door, called a transom. Inside, the house has been decorated to look just as it did when Robert Toombs lived there in the mid-1800s. You can even see his private library, filled with books.
A Look at History
The house was built a long time ago, between 1794 and 1801, by a doctor named Joel Abbott. Robert Toombs bought the house in 1837. He made several changes to it, including adding that impressive front porch and a new section on the west side of the house.
Who Was Robert Toombs?
Robert Toombs was known as one of the best speakers in the American South before the Civil War. He was a very persuasive person! He believed that slavery should be allowed in new territories joining the country. However, he also wanted the country to stay united and strongly supported the Compromise of 1850. This was an agreement that tried to solve disagreements between the North and South.
Toombs During the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Robert Toombs became the Secretary of State for the Confederate States of America. This was a very important job, like being the top diplomat for the Confederacy. But he didn't agree with President Jefferson Davis on everything, so he resigned. After that, he joined the Confederate Army as a general.
After the War
At the end of the war, Robert Toombs left the country for a while. Eventually, he returned to the United States. He then had a very successful career as a lawyer.
Images for kids
-
A bedroom in the Toombs House
-
Another view of a bedroom
-
Robert Toombs's Law Office and Library
-
The Ladies Parlor, a formal sitting room
-
The Dining Room
-
A painting titled "Ophelia"
-
The grand staircase inside the house
-
A corner view of the historic house
.jpg)
See Also
