Jun 01, 1982
National Register of Historic Places - Demens-Rumbough-Crawley House
Statement of Significance: The Demens-Rumbough-Crawley House, now known locally as "Hanger Hall," is one of Asheville's most imposing and unusual late nineteenth century residences. The large brick structure combines a variety of stylistic influences of the period, including Queen Anne, Italianate, and Eastlake motifs; especially notable are the elaborate porch and cornice detail, the unusual tower, and rich interiors featuring extensive parquet flooring. Though the exact date of construction and the original owner remain something of a mystery, the house was probably built in 1890 for Peter A. Demens (1850-1919), a Russian-born entrepreneur who was instrumental in the founding of St. Petersburg, Florida, and who is credited with naming that resort city after his Russian birthplace. Demens remained in Asheville only two years before moving on to Los Angeles, selling the property to Colonel and Mrs. James H. Rumbough, owners of the famous Mountain Park Hotel of Hot Springs in neighboring Madison County. The Rumbough family kept the property as an Asheville residence until 1913. In 1919 it became the home of Miss Ida Jolly Crawley (1867-1946), a Tennessee-born artist and world traveler who opened the house to the public as the "Ida Jolly Crawley Museum of Art and Archaeology," or "The House of Pan." Miss Crawley displayed her own artworks and assorted artifacts collected during her travels, and her house was the city's first public art museum. Miss Crawley remained in the house until her death in 1946. Since 1973 the property has been owned by jazz musician Howard Hanger, who is steadily rehabilitating the structure.
National Register of Historic Places - Demens-Rumbough-Crawley House
Statement of Significance: The Demens-Rumbough-Crawley House, now known locally as "Hanger Hall," is one of Asheville's most imposing and unusual late nineteenth century residences. The large brick structure combines a variety of stylistic influences of the period, including Queen Anne, Italianate, and Eastlake motifs; especially notable are the elaborate porch and cornice detail, the unusual tower, and rich interiors featuring extensive parquet flooring. Though the exact date of construction and the original owner remain something of a mystery, the house was probably built in 1890 for Peter A. Demens (1850-1919), a Russian-born entrepreneur who was instrumental in the founding of St. Petersburg, Florida, and who is credited with naming that resort city after his Russian birthplace. Demens remained in Asheville only two years before moving on to Los Angeles, selling the property to Colonel and Mrs. James H. Rumbough, owners of the famous Mountain Park Hotel of Hot Springs in neighboring Madison County. The Rumbough family kept the property as an Asheville residence until 1913. In 1919 it became the home of Miss Ida Jolly Crawley (1867-1946), a Tennessee-born artist and world traveler who opened the house to the public as the "Ida Jolly Crawley Museum of Art and Archaeology," or "The House of Pan." Miss Crawley displayed her own artworks and assorted artifacts collected during her travels, and her house was the city's first public art museum. Miss Crawley remained in the house until her death in 1946. Since 1973 the property has been owned by jazz musician Howard Hanger, who is steadily rehabilitating the structure.
Jun 01, 1982
Posted Date
Aug 23, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jun 01, 1982
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
