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VALDOSTA – The Wisenbaker-Wells-Roberts Home is Valdosta’s oldest home, in-built 1845, and is within the Fairview Historic District at 206 Wells St.
The Fairview Historic District, which incorporates this residence, was listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations in 1984.
William E. Wisenbaker, a pioneer farmer in Lowndes County, constructed the home in 1845. A raised brick pier basis supported the 4 rooms of this dogtrot hut.
Wisenbaker and his spouse Lydia Ann Crews had been married in 1839. They’d 11 kids.
In 1859, Wisenbaker supplied 144 acres of land to Georgia Meeting commissioners so they may set up a city alongside the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad.
Many Troupville residents migrated to close by Valdosta because of the railroad’s rising potential. Valdosta, a totally new city, was included Dec. 7, 1860. Between 1859 and 1863, Wisenbaker prolonged the home, remodeling it right into a two-story, 10-room “planter’s residence” or Plantation Plain home with a entrance porch that spans the entire width of the construction and is framed by columns.
Wisenbaker moved to the Lake Park neighborhood after promoting his property to William N. Peacock in 1863.
Peacock owned the home from 1863 till he died in 1866. The historic file signifies Peacock was presumably a trainer, as it’s thought he ran a faculty in the home. Peacock probably died in the home, as his widow offered the home in 1866 after his demise.
In 1866, the house was bought by Jeremiah W. Wells. He had fought within the Civil Struggle and was a businessman and farmer. Between 1881 and 1882, Wells served as mayor of Valdosta. Wells Road in Fairview is known as for him.
John T. Roberts purchased the home in 1891. He had a downtown workplace and buying and selling ground for a well known buggy/harness agency. From 1892 till 1906, he was a member of the Valdosta Metropolis Council, and from 1906 to 1916, he was town’s mayor.
In 1895, Roberts began turning the house into the People Victorian/Queen Anne construction that it’s now. The challenge was designed and supervised by Stephen Fulghum, a distinguished architect within the space. Roberts wed Catherine (Kate) Margaret Younger, with whom he had 9 kids. Roberts’ offspring owned the home till 1982.
Two of Roberts’ descendants purchased the home in 1996. They donated it to the Valdosta Heritage Basis in 1999, with the responsibility to protect, restore and handle the house and grounds, nearly 4.52 acres, together with a Georgia Camellia Path, for public enjoyment and training.
Whereas the house had fallen into disrepair by the point the VHF was willed, the home was almost destroyed by a fireplace exposing the unique 1845 cabin framework constructed by the Wisenbaker household in 2011. The house was secure however the inside remained unfinished for a number of years till renewed curiosity.
In 2019, VHF obtained permission to transform the home right into a mattress and breakfast leased to a live-in supervisor. Work on the restoration is presently underway.
Jessica Ganas, the proprietor of the downtown Curare, realized restoring it to its former glory could be an costly challenge because of the construction of the home. Ganas got here up with the concept to host excursions of houses constructed by Valdosta’s prolific architect Lloyd Greer to boost cash.
The endeavor has became a hit so far as shifting renovations ahead. In response to Vickie Everitte, president of the VHF, the inspiration partnered with Kellerman Development and J. Glenn Gregory & Associates Architects to finish Section I of the Wisenbaker-Wells-Roberts Home renovation challenge on Sept. 13, 2022, costing simply over $95K.
“The entire estimated value for the challenge is simply over $525K, with the timing of subsequent phases depending on fundraising. The Metropolis of Valdosta accepted the 11 required permits on Nov. 15, 2021. Section I included changing all of the compromised framing from the 2011 hearth, finishing main work for the hearth suppression system apart from labor/set up for the underside ground, preliminary HVAC/mechanical/duct work set up, repairing the roof in a number of locations, and putting in a brand new water meter,” she stated.
Kellerman Development submitted a partial estimate for Section II, which entails putting in second ground joist programs and extra helps as advisable by Crews Engineering. The construction improve is projected to value almost $38K. As soon as the second ground is stabilized, Georgia Computerized Sprinkler can finalize the hearth suppression system set up.
“We’re very excited to announce that the Georgia Belief’s Callahan Incentive Grant is funding half the labor prices related to this much-needed system set up. This challenge was certainly one of solely three chosen for this grant state-wide and a primary for Valdosta.”
Different VHF tasks embrace bringing consciousness to Dasher Excessive Faculty by researching Louis E. Lomax’s and the Rev. James L. Lomax’s legacies as a part of two functions for Georgia Historic Society markers, rising public consciousness of the group’s improvement by means of social media and excursions.
Discussions about “The Schoolhouse Structure of Lloyd Greer” plan on Joe Brilliant’s Mid-Century Trendy and saving locations and tales that assist residents perceive their previous — creating connections and establishing a way of belonging and residential.
“Preserving, defending and using historic buildings can unite individuals, stabilize neighborhoods, create inviting areas to get pleasure from and spur financial improvement. Historic preservation strengthens the group and is nice for our financial system,” she stated.
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