Denmark Vesey House
Encyclopedia
Although named a National Historic Landmark
in 1976 and commonly known as the Denmark Vesey House, the home today located at 56 Bull Street in Charleston, South Carolina
is almost certainly not the house once inhabited by black abolitionist Denmark Vesey
. Vesey's rented home, owned first by attorney George Cross and later by white carpenter Benjamin Ireland, listed as 20 Bull Street under the city's former numbering system, is now evidently gone. A nearby home, most likely built in the 1830s or 1840s and currently numbered 56 Bull Street, was thought in 1976 to have been the home of Denmark Vesey
. But in 1980, state archivist Wylma Wates found evidence to suggest Vesey's rented house was four or five houses east of the so-called "Vesey house." Architectural historian Edward Turberg confirmed that the house in question is not only in the wrong place but was "constructed after 1830 and before 1850." Since Vesey was hanged in 1822, he died roughly ten years before the house was built. Despite these findings, the house today remains a National Historic Landmark
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1976.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1976 and commonly known as the Denmark Vesey House, the home today located at 56 Bull Street in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
is almost certainly not the house once inhabited by black abolitionist Denmark Vesey
Denmark Vesey
Denmark Vesey originally Telemaque, was an African American slave brought to the United States from the Caribbean of Coromantee background. After purchasing his freedom, he planned what would have been one of the largest slave rebellions in the United States...
. Vesey's rented home, owned first by attorney George Cross and later by white carpenter Benjamin Ireland, listed as 20 Bull Street under the city's former numbering system, is now evidently gone. A nearby home, most likely built in the 1830s or 1840s and currently numbered 56 Bull Street, was thought in 1976 to have been the home of Denmark Vesey
Denmark Vesey
Denmark Vesey originally Telemaque, was an African American slave brought to the United States from the Caribbean of Coromantee background. After purchasing his freedom, he planned what would have been one of the largest slave rebellions in the United States...
. But in 1980, state archivist Wylma Wates found evidence to suggest Vesey's rented house was four or five houses east of the so-called "Vesey house." Architectural historian Edward Turberg confirmed that the house in question is not only in the wrong place but was "constructed after 1830 and before 1850." Since Vesey was hanged in 1822, he died roughly ten years before the house was built. Despite these findings, the house today remains a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1976.