William Monroe Trotter House facts for kids
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William Monroe Trotter House
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William Monroe Trotter House in 2012
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 97 Sawyer Ave., Dorchester, Massachusetts |
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| Built | c. 1890s |
| NRHP reference No. | 76002003 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | May 11, 1976 |
The William Monroe Trotter House is a special old house located at 97 Sawyer Avenue. It sits on Jones Hill in the Dorchester area of Boston. This house was once the home of William Monroe Trotter (1872–1934). He was an important African-American journalist and a leader in the fight for civil rights.
William Monroe Trotter and his wife, Geraldine Louise Pindell, moved into this two-story wooden house in June 1899 when they got married. The house became a National Historic Landmark in 1976. This honor recognized Trotter's important work. His efforts helped inspire the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
About the Trotter House
The Trotter House is a two-and-a-half-story wooden house. It rests on a strong stone foundation. The house is built high up on Jones Hill. From here, Trotter once wrote that he could see far across the country. He could also see all of the bay from his bedroom window.
A porch stretches across the front of the house. Stairs on the left lead up to the main entrance. The front of the house has two sections. The front door is on the left, and windows are on the right. Smaller windows are also found in the roof's peak.
The right side of the house has a unique half-round section that sticks out. The left side is simpler and extends further back. This is because of an extra two-story part at the back. A square window with colorful glass helps light up the stairs inside.
The house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. This was because of its connection to William Monroe Trotter. In 1977, the outside of the house and its yard were also named a Boston Landmark. This means they are protected by the city of Boston. The house is not open for people to visit.
Who Was William Monroe Trotter?
William Monroe Trotter was born in Ohio. His father, James Monroe Trotter, fought in the American Civil War. He was also a strong supporter of equal rights for African Americans. William Monroe Trotter was a very bright student. He finished high school at the top of his class. He then went to Harvard University. He graduated with honors in 1895. He was also the first African American chosen for the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
In 1901, Trotter helped start the "Boston Literary and Historical Association." This group was a place for thinkers like W. E. B. Du Bois to discuss important political ideas. In the same year, he started a weekly newspaper called the Boston Guardian. In his newspaper, he often disagreed with educator Booker T. Washington. Trotter felt Washington's ideas were too accepting of inequality.
Trotter also helped create the Niagara Movement in 1905 with Du Bois. This group was an early step towards forming the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Trotter was a strong and firm voice for civil rights. He never gave up fighting for what he believed in. However, he was sometimes hard to work with. Because of this, he did not play a role in the NAACP after it was founded.
Trotter bought the house at 97 Sawyer Avenue in 1899. He moved in with his wife, Geraldine. His dedication to civil rights cost him a lot of money. He eventually lost his investments and even his home. In 1913, he had a well-known meeting with President Woodrow Wilson. Their heated discussion made headlines. After this, Trotter's voice became less heard. He passed away in 1934.
Images for kids
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William Monroe Trotter House in 1980
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See Also
