T. Thomas Fortune House facts for kids
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T. Thomas Fortune House
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T. Thomas Fortune House, 1980
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 Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 94 Drs. James Parker Blvd., Red Bank, New Jersey |
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| Area | 9.9 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | mid-19th century |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001171 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 |
The T. Thomas Fortune House is a special historic home in Red Bank, New Jersey. It was once called Maple Hall. This house was the home of Timothy Thomas Fortune, a very important African-American journalist and leader. He lived here from 1901 to 1908. The house became a National Historic Landmark in 1976. Today, a group works to keep Fortune's story alive and share his work for fairness and community.
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Exploring the T. Thomas Fortune House
The T. Thomas Fortune House stands in Red Bank, New Jersey. It is a beautiful old home with a unique look.
What the House Looks Like
This house is a Victorian style building made of wood. It has two main floors. There is also a third floor hidden under a special kind of roof called a mansard roof. The house has an "L" shape. A part of the house sticks out on the left. There is a porch on the front right side. This porch has fancy double brackets, which are decorative supports. The mansard roof has small windows called dormers.
A Glimpse into the Past: The House's Story
The house was built in different parts during the mid-1800s. It was built by James Bergen. The foundation of the house is even older, dating back to the 1700s!
T. Thomas Fortune's Time at Maple Hall
T. Thomas Fortune bought the house for $4,000 in 1901. He lived here with his family until 1908. His wife and son stayed in the house until 1911. The Fortune family called their home "Maple Hall." It became a very important place for the local African-American community. They held many social gatherings, cultural events, and important discussions there.
New Owners and a New Purpose
After the Fortunes left, the Vaccarrelli family owned the house for many years. They even ran a bakery from it! By 2016, the house was in rough shape. There was a plan to build new homes nearby. Luckily, the plan also included saving and restoring the historic house. A local group received the house. The T. Thomas Fortune Foundation and Cultural Center opened its doors in the restored house in 2019. Today, it helps people learn about T. Thomas Fortune's amazing life and work.
| Article contributor: Lynn Humphrey. Lynn is an archivist, researcher and librarian at the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center. |
See also
