Architectural story:
28 Church is a two-story building with a gable roof and an interior central chimney. The original fan light doorway is the key to the construction date of the house, as are the cornice and window treatments, all of which reflect the refined style of the Federal period.
Restoration story:
This is the only house that NRF ever moved twice. The house was purchased by NRF in 1969 and restored in 1970 and again in 1977.
Originally situated at 18 Fair Street, the house was scheduled for demolition in order to make way for Memorial Boulevard West. In 1970, the building was moved—with its chimney pile in place—to a lot on the south side of Church Street. The house was restored while it stood at this location at 21 Church Street. In 1977, when the development of Queen Ann Square was in progress, the house was moved again, this time to the north side of Church Street, facing the newly created square. Additional restoration work was done to the house after this second move.
People story:
In the late-1960s, projects to help revitalize the city’s urban infrastructure also threatened the demolition of many buildings. The house currently at 28 Church Street was originally located in a neighborhood made up of working-class African-heritage and immigrant folks dating from the late-18th century onwards. The project to build Memorial Boulevard West changed this community; many houses were demolished and some were moved by organizations, including NRF. We are looking forward to uncovering more about the people who lived and worked in this house.
