Located on a high wooded lot overlooking South Mendenhall Street, the Bumpass-Troy House is one of the three oldest houses in the College Hill neighborhood. The home is also one of a small number of Greek Revival residences in Greensboro, illustrated by the use of Greek-inspired trim featuring “ears” around the main entry, boxed cornice, and a grand full-height portico of Doric columns that was apparently shifted forward during a 1911 renovation to expand the width of the front porch.
Erected in 1847, the original single-pile, center-hall brick house was constructed for Sidney and Frances Bumpass. Bumpass was an accomplished Methodist minister and trustee of the nearby Greensborough Female College (today Greensboro College) who began a Christian newspaper known as The Weekly. Though Bumpass died prematurely in 1851, his wife continued publishing the newspaper from the home for twenty years. The Bumpass home was featured prominently in reports from soldiers who visited Greensboro in 1865, where the family “…entertained us in royal style…and invited us in the dining room where a nice lunch was spread, with hot coffee.”
The house remained in the family through eldest daughter Duella Bumpass’ line. She married Captain Robert Troy and raised a large family including Allah, Lota, Melvil, Nina, Eugene, Arthur, and Ethel. Ethel maintained ownership of the property until her death in 1975.
By 1989, the eleven-room house with seven fireplaces was suffering from neglect after having been used for student apartments. In 1991, Preservation Greensboro Incorporated helped save the Bumpass-Troy House from destruction by purchasing the house and placing preservation easements on the property. The easements, which preclude major alterations to the interior and exterior without consultation with the organization, continue with the deed in perpetuity.
On May
18-19, Preservation Greensboro’s Third Annual Tour of Historic Homes and
Gardens will feature this home and nine others in the College Hill neighborhood. Plan
to spend the weekend touring stunning homes of the nineteenth century that
highlight interesting architecture, design ideas, and local history! Advanced
tickets will be available for purchase after April 20th. Group tickets of ten
or more are available for $15 per ticket!
Stay tuned
to our website, this blog and our Facebook page for additional information. Tomorrow is our FREE event to learn about the Secrets of College Hill!
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