May 16, 2002
National Register of Historic Places - Willis M. Graves House
Statement of Significance: Located in the freedmen's village of Oberlin, now part of the City of Raleigh, the Willis M. Graves House is locally significant as a symbol of the financial and social success that was possible for residents of Oberlin in spite of the challenges of racism and poverty in the wake of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The house was constructed about 1884 by Willis M. Graves, an African American brick mason. Graves's financial success as a tradesman as well as his civic position as Justice of the Peace and an officer of Wilson Temple United Methodist Church illustrate the life of one of the most prominent early residents of Oberlin. The development of Oberlin from a tiny freedmen's village beginning in the late 1860s to a community of substantial stature by the turn of the twentieth century was defined by the success of men like Graves. The stable, middle-class reputation that Oberlin garnered during its early development was a point of pride throughout much of its history and was a defining feature of the village. The Willis M. Graves House is one of the largest and most stylistically exuberant Queen Anne style dwellings in Oberlin. In an era when modest tri-gable cottages with restrained Queen Anne motifs were the norm, the Graves House set its owner apart and marked his position as a prominent citizen. Despite having been partially sheathed in replacement siding, the distinctive form of the building, along with the presence of original decorative details such as shingles in the front gable, stained glass, turned porch posts and spindle frieze, still evoke its historic character and stylistic qualities. Furthermore, the interior, which features original fire surrounds with double mantel shelves, mirrors, molded consoles, and turned colonettes, is noteworthy. The Willis M. Graves House's significance relates to the Multiple Property Documentation Form "Historic and Architectural Resources of Oberlin, Wake County, North Carolina, 1865 - 1952" under the following contexts: "The Cultural and Social Life of Oberlin" (pages E 10-22) and "The Jim Crow Years: Modest Prosperity and Sense of Community, 1880-1950" (pages E 22 - 28) and under the following property type: "Residential Buildings" (pages F 31-36). The Willis M. Graves House satisfies the registration requirements for its type as set forth in the MPDF (pages F 35-36) in that it possesses the required level of integrity of location, setting and feeling to be an important representation of the historical development of Oberlin. The period of significance of the property extends from c.1884, the construction date of the house, to 1935, the year of Willis M. Graves's death. The Willis M. Graves House is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for African American Ethnic Heritage and Social History.
National Register of Historic Places - Willis M. Graves House
Statement of Significance: Located in the freedmen's village of Oberlin, now part of the City of Raleigh, the Willis M. Graves House is locally significant as a symbol of the financial and social success that was possible for residents of Oberlin in spite of the challenges of racism and poverty in the wake of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The house was constructed about 1884 by Willis M. Graves, an African American brick mason. Graves's financial success as a tradesman as well as his civic position as Justice of the Peace and an officer of Wilson Temple United Methodist Church illustrate the life of one of the most prominent early residents of Oberlin. The development of Oberlin from a tiny freedmen's village beginning in the late 1860s to a community of substantial stature by the turn of the twentieth century was defined by the success of men like Graves. The stable, middle-class reputation that Oberlin garnered during its early development was a point of pride throughout much of its history and was a defining feature of the village. The Willis M. Graves House is one of the largest and most stylistically exuberant Queen Anne style dwellings in Oberlin. In an era when modest tri-gable cottages with restrained Queen Anne motifs were the norm, the Graves House set its owner apart and marked his position as a prominent citizen. Despite having been partially sheathed in replacement siding, the distinctive form of the building, along with the presence of original decorative details such as shingles in the front gable, stained glass, turned porch posts and spindle frieze, still evoke its historic character and stylistic qualities. Furthermore, the interior, which features original fire surrounds with double mantel shelves, mirrors, molded consoles, and turned colonettes, is noteworthy. The Willis M. Graves House's significance relates to the Multiple Property Documentation Form "Historic and Architectural Resources of Oberlin, Wake County, North Carolina, 1865 - 1952" under the following contexts: "The Cultural and Social Life of Oberlin" (pages E 10-22) and "The Jim Crow Years: Modest Prosperity and Sense of Community, 1880-1950" (pages E 22 - 28) and under the following property type: "Residential Buildings" (pages F 31-36). The Willis M. Graves House satisfies the registration requirements for its type as set forth in the MPDF (pages F 35-36) in that it possesses the required level of integrity of location, setting and feeling to be an important representation of the historical development of Oberlin. The period of significance of the property extends from c.1884, the construction date of the house, to 1935, the year of Willis M. Graves's death. The Willis M. Graves House is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for African American Ethnic Heritage and Social History.
May 16, 2002
Posted Date
Aug 30, 2023
Historical Record Date
May 16, 2002
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
