Title
Jemison Home, 1305 Greensboro Avenue, 1861
Subject
Houses and homes
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Description
The Jemison Home, also known as the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion, at 1305 Greensboro Avenue was built between 1859 and 1861 by one of Tuscaloosa's most prominent figures, Robert Jemison Jr., a plantation owner. The house was built of materials that came from Jemison plantations. Slave labor trained at his Cherokee Plantation did most of the construction. The antebellum home is an important statewide resource because it is only one of six remaining antebellum mansions of the Italianate style built in Alabama.
The house was purchased in 1945 by J. P. Burchfield Jr. and Nell M. Burchfield. At that time the house was completely renovated with preservation of all the architectural design.
In 1955, this house then owned by the Burchfields was purchased by the YMCA for $70,000. In a prearranged agreement, it was then exchanged with Mr. Victor Hugo Friedman for the north half of the block containing the Battle-Friedman House. The YMCA used that property as the site for the new central YMCA building. Mr. Friedman gave the Burchfield property to Tuscaloosa County for use as a public library. The library which moved from the Searcy House, 815 Greensboro Avenue, in 1958, was known as the Friedman Library to honor Mr. Friedman’s generosity.
The house was purchased in 1945 by J. P. Burchfield Jr. and Nell M. Burchfield. At that time the house was completely renovated with preservation of all the architectural design.
In 1955, this house then owned by the Burchfields was purchased by the YMCA for $70,000. In a prearranged agreement, it was then exchanged with Mr. Victor Hugo Friedman for the north half of the block containing the Battle-Friedman House. The YMCA used that property as the site for the new central YMCA building. Mr. Friedman gave the Burchfield property to Tuscaloosa County for use as a public library. The library which moved from the Searcy House, 815 Greensboro Avenue, in 1958, was known as the Friedman Library to honor Mr. Friedman’s generosity.
Creator
Union Furniture Company
Source
Union Furniture Company
Publisher
Union Furniture Company
Date
1991
Contributor
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Type
Drawing
Identifier
2454
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Drawing
Physical Dimensions
8.5 inches x 11 inches