Contrary to the whisper campaign that the Herndon Home is in distress and on the verge of closing, foundation members have launched a capital campaign to renovate the mansion, which sits on Diamond Hill in Atlanta’s West End community.
William J. Stanley III, CEO of Stanley Love-Stanley PC and chairman of the Herndon Home Foundation affirms, “The Herndon Home Museum is one of the nation’s architectural jewels. My wife [Ivenue Love-Stanley] and I are architects and preservationists. We are absolutely dedicated to the Herndon Home Museum and its success as an institution.”
A timeless and significant landmark, the Herndon Home was built exclusively by black craftsmen who embraced the architectural style of that era, Beaux Arts — the American Renaissance period from about 1890 to 1920 that encompasses the French and Italian Renaissance, and Neo-classical Revivals.
At the beginning of the last century, Stanley’s grandmother and her brothers were students and contemporaries of Mrs. Adrienne McNeil Herndon, when she was on the faculty of Atlanta University, and Stanley never imagined he would become chairman of the foundation’s board.
The home was built for $10,000 and it was designed and furnished by Mrs. Herndon herself. She died only a few months after moving in.
Stanley continues, “We invite each of you to carry forth this proud heritage, safeguard the legacy of this fine edifice and help us to perpetuate the mission of the Herndon Foundation by joining in our vision to restore the museum. After 101 years, the home is still as solid as a rock. We are going to expand the hours so that more students can tour the museum and be inspired to become entrepreneurs like the Herndons. Each week we host a group of students from around the country who marvel at Herndon’s exports and valuable lessons like honesty, hard work, saving money, investing wisely and giving back.
The fundraising gala was held at the Atlanta History Center. Donna Lowry was the evening’s emcee. The event was well attended including event honorary co-chairs Ambassador Andrew Young and Herman Russell; Kenneth Holley, principal, Herndon Capital Management; Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church; Burrell Ellis, CEO, DeKalb County; Legacy Awards honoree; Lisa Borders, former president, Atlanta City Council; Nancy Boxill, former commissioner, Fulton County Government; Dr. Edward D. Irons, chairman emeritus, Herndon Foundation and his family; SiMan, and Belinda Stubblefield, Paradeis Group. Gregory C. Pridgeon was the evening’s auctioneer. –yvette caslin
The Herndon Home is located at 587 University Pl., NW, in Atlanta. Guided tours are conducted hourly from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment only on Saturdays. There is a fee for admission. Call 404-581-9813 or visit the Herndon Home website for further information.
