Mary Gay House
History
The house has been moved at least twice. In the early twentieth century, it was moved eastward and oriented to face Marshall Street. While still at this location (524 Marshall St.), it was listed on the NRHP.
In the late 1970s development in Decatur threatened the structure. While it originally was located on "several acres" of land, by 1979 the house was on a 100 foot by 200 foot (1,800 square meters) lot, bordered mostly by businesses and accessible only by a narrow street with no nearby parking.
The Junior League of DeKalb County preserved the structure by arranging to have it moved to its current location at 716 West Trinity Place. This location was less than a mile away in Adair Park and immediately adjacent to the historic Swanton House (which had also been moved). The group also successfully petitioned the NRHP for the Gay house to retain its historic status after the move.
Since restoration, the basement of the house has been used as the headquarters for the Junior League. The house is operated as an event facility for receptions, parties, weddings, and similar events. In 2022, because Mary Gay is considered a "Confederate heroine" the Junior League voted to rename their headquarters and wedding venue "716 West".
See also
References
- ^ Macgregor, Elizabeth Z. (December 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Mary Gay House". National Park Service. Retrieved April 25, 2017. With 23 photos from October 1974
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Macgregor 1974, p. 2.
- ^ Macgregor 1974, p. 1.
- ^ Macgregor 1974, p. 8.
- ^ "Our Headquarters". Junior League of DeKalb County. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^ "Rates & Details". 716 West. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^ Whisenhunt, Dan (December 1, 2022). "Junior League of DeKalb County drops Mary Gay name from popular wedding venue". Decaturish - Locally sourced news. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
External links
- 716 West website
- Mary Gay House historical marker with photos