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Property Location
Property Features
1991-
2-story vernacular structure is actually two buildings joined together. the western section was moved to the site in 1901 by the Turner family to serve as the Douglass Beneficial Society meeting hall. The Society was a charitable and self-help association for African-American families.
A low, 1-story wing connects the hall to a second building that was moved to the site in 1912. This vernacular house has shallowly pitched gables trimmed with returned eaves.
In 1917 John and Amanda Hill bought the hall and operated a grocery business there until Mr. Hill's death in the early 1980s. The display cases, light fixtures and advertising signs are still intact.
"The Hill house and grocery store and the Miller house are among the last remaining buildings associated with Madison's earliest African-American neighborhood.
This two-story vernacular structure is actually two buildings joined together. The western section was moved to the site in 1901 by the Turner family to serve as the Douglas Beneficial Hall, a charitable and self-help association for African-American families moving to Madison from southern states. In 1917 John and Amanda Hill bought the hall and operated a grocery business there until Mr. Hill's death in the early 1980s. The display cases, light fixtures and advertising signs of the old grocery store are still intact.
A low, one-story wing connects the hall to a second building moved onto this site in 1912. This vernacular house has shallowly pitched gables trimmed with returned eaves. It served at first as the home of Caroline and C.H. Thomas, the pastor of the A.M.E. Church, which was once located a few doors to the west (gone).
Also note the home at 114 North Blount Street. This home was moved here in 1923 for Amanda Carmichael, the mother of Amanda Hill. Today the houses at 114 and 120 North Blount Street are still owned by John and Amanda Hill's descendants." Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
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