The Stephen D. Lee Home and Museum (c.1847)
The Stephen D. Lee Home, located at 316 Seventh Street North,
was completed in 1847 and is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Once the home of CSA Gen. Stephen D. Lee, it was restored in
1960 by the Historical Society and the Society for Preservation of
Antiques. It is now houses the Florence McLeod Hazard Museum
exhibiting Civil War collections and artifacts. It is featured in
Columbus' Annual Spring Pilgrimage. During the remainder of the
year, it is open 10am - 4pm each Friday or by appointment. The home
is also available for rental.
In 1847, Major Thomas Garton Blewett, prominent early citizen of
Columbus, completed this spacious Italianate mansion for his family
home. The walls and foundation are of solid brick which was made
and laid by local masons and the wood milled and crafted by local
carpenters and artisans. The original house had a conservatory on
the south side which overlooked formal gardens and a one and a
half-story master bedroom wing on the north side. The present-day
kitchen was a hall which not only led to the master bedroom but a
covered outside walkway leading to a beautifuly appointed Roman
bath house and the kitchen.
After the deaths of Major Blewett and his wife Regina
DeGraffenreid, their daughter, Regina Blewett Harrison inherited
the house. At her death the house was left to her two daughters,
Mary Harrison, who never married, and Regina Harrison Lee, wife of
General Stephen D. Lee. Eventually the house was inherited by their
son, Blewett Harrison Lee, a practicing lawyer in Chicago. In 1916,
he sold the house and entire block to the City of Columbus for use
of the city school system, and the Stephen D. Lee High School was
built on the square. The wings of the home and outbuildings were
removed and the home converted into the home economics building and
school cafeteria.
In December 1959, the school was destroyed by fire and the home
severely damaged. On the day following the fire, the Association
for the Preservation of Antiquities in Columbus and Lowndes County
met with city officials to prevent the planned demolition of the
house and to request permission to restore it. The Association for
the Preservation of Antiquities and the Lowndes County Historical
society combined to form the Stephen D. Lee Foundation, a tax
exempt non-profit organization representing pilgrimage home owners
and various civic, patriotic and historical groups. The Historical
Society requested use of two upstairs rooms for a museum, and the
Stephen D. Lee Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
furnished the small upstairs room on the west side.
Some of the original furnishings, paintings and memorabilia were
returned by the family, and many handsome gifts have been received
by donors, both Columbians and others. The home now serves the
community as an educational and cultural center. The Florence
McLeod Hazard Museum and UDC room are filled with a variety of
treasured and valuable historical items pertaining to the state and
local area.
Through the Historical Society's Docent Program, weekly tours
are conducted for visitors, and complimentary school tours are
given by appointment. The downstairs is used for meetings,
weddings, educational events, and many other special occasions. The
property receives no financial support from the city, county or
state and is maintained and operated entirely by private funding
and voluntary contributions. On behalf of both organizations, the
Stephen D. Lee Foundation extends a warm welcome to this beloved
home and museum, a property now listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Open Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. or by appointment
Rental Information:
Options:
- Three Hour Rental
- Small Party
- Large Party/Dinner
- Wedding/Reception
Not including the three-hour rental, the rental fee includes the
use of the home for the entire day. This does not include
additional cleanup and damage deposits.
316 Seventh Street North
(800) 920-3533
(662) 327-8888
leehomemuseum@yahoo.com
leehomemuseum.wordpress.com