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 Park 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, also known as Maple Hall, is a special old house in Red Bank, Monmouth County, New Jersey. It was built in the mid-1800s. This house was the home of Timothy Thomas Fortune (1856-1928) from 1901 to 1908. He was a very important African-American journalist and a leader who worked for civil rights.
The house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. This means it is a place recognized for its great importance to the history of the United States. Today, a non-profit group owns the house. They work to keep Fortune's memory alive and share his work for fairness and community involvement.
About the T. Thomas Fortune House
The T. Thomas Fortune House is located southwest of downtown Red Bank. You can find it on the north side of Drs. James Parker Boulevard.
The House's Look
The house is a wooden building with a style called Victorian. It has two full floors and a third floor under a special type of roof called a mansard roof. The house is shaped like an "L". It has a part that sticks out on the left. There is also a porch across the front on the right side. The porch and a window area have decorative brackets. The mansard roof has windows that stick out, called dormers.
The House's History
The house seems to have been built in different stages during the mid-1800s. James Bergen built it on a foundation that was even older, from the 1700s.
T. Thomas Fortune rented the house in 1901. He and his family lived there until 1908. Fortune moved out that year, but his wife and son stayed until 1911. The Fortune family called their home "Maple Hall." They made it a very important place for the local African-American community. They hosted many social, cultural, and political events there.
After the Fortunes moved, the Vaccarrelli family owned the house for many years. They ran a bakery.
Saving the House
By 2016, the house was in poor condition. It was in danger of being torn down. A plan was made to build new homes on part of the land. The old house itself would be saved and given to a local non-profit group.
The T. Thomas Fortune Foundation and Cultural Center worked hard to restore the house. It officially opened in 2019. Now, it serves as a place to learn about T. Thomas Fortune's legacy.
