Herndon Home

I was so excited to visit the Herndon Home. I had done a lot of research ahead of time to make sure that I was going on a day that it was open and giving tours. However, when we arrived, we discovered that the house is undergoing some renovations until May. It appeared to me that they had been going on for awhile. Nothing on the website indicates that they were undergoing construction and that the house is closed until they are done. In fact, the website makes it seem as though everything is business as usual. It would have taken them just a couple minutes to post something on the website about this. This makes me question what kind of service I can expect if I attempt to try again in the future.

Amazing! I like History and visiting historical places. I knew about the Herndon Home for many years, but never visited until recently.
Alonzo Herndon has an amazing story. This was the home built for his family and was architected by his first wife Adrienne, who only lived in the home for a few months before dying of Addison’s disease in 1910. Adrienne has an interesting story also regarding her acting career, which was hindered by her race.
Jessie Gillespie became Alonzo’s second wife in 1912.
Alonzo and Adrienne had one son, Norris Herndon who lived in the home until his death in 1977.
The entrance is located at the rear of the house. Upon entering, what used to be the basement, now office space, showcases pictures highlighting Herndon’s history.
While looking in one of the bathrooms, I noticed what appeared to be a servants’ call button on the wall. (This is technology that was built into the Biltmore house in Asheville)
Adrienne designed the roof of the house flat to be used as an area to entertain, but again did not live long to enjoy the space.
I was amazed at the level of intricate details of the home’s design. For example, the glass, windows, crown molding, etc…
Guided tours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10AM-​4PM (last tour ~3PM) and by appointment only on Saturdays.
Admission for adults is $ 7
Photography is prohibited inside the home.
PARKING:
University Pl NW is a one way street East. Although Walnut St is one way, it is a dead end; it is okay to turn left and drive into the driveway to park in the area between the main house and the carriage house.
I was also informed by the curator that it is okay to park in the driveway of the adjacent property.
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I recently learned from the book, The Herndons: An Atlanta Family, that the adjacent property where the abandoned home is located is where Bumstead Cottage once stood. It was the home of Horace Bumstead, the President of Atlanta University from 1885 – 1906.

I was very impressed with this tour, though I’m sad to say that the home keeps getting caught up in bitter battles with the city over the land. Once again, Atlanta keeps trying to tear down the history and hide under a growing number of condos… So far, so good — the Herndon Home still stands.
The guides here are extremely knowledgeable about the life of Alonzo Herndon, a former slave who became one of Atlanta’s major players in the real estate/​insurance business. The home is kept up nicely with plenty to observe as the guide talks about the life of the Herndon family.
I’d recommend everyone checking this historical site out. It’s right in the city and you’ll learn a lot about Atlanta at the turn of the century and how one man overcame the trials in his life. I hope it’s standing for a long time to come — I’d hate to see another piece of history fall to the city’s whim.
NOTE: Tours are by appointment only as I believe the guides are all volunteer-​based. Don’t forget to call ahead!