Joel Lane House
|
Lane, Joel, House
|
|
 |
|
 
|
|
| Location | 728 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°46′39.89″N 78°39′3.01″W / 35.7777472°N 78.6508361°WCoordinates: 35°46′39.89″N 78°39′3.01″W / 35.7777472°N 78.6508361°W |
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP Reference # | 70000472 |
| Added to NRHP | July 28, 1970 |
The Joel Lane House, also known as Wakefield, was built in 1769, is a historic restored home and museum located in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is the oldest dwelling in Wake County and contains collections of 18th century artifacts and period furnishings. The museum grounds include a detached middle class home built circa 1790, formal city garden, and period herb garden. The house is named after Joel Lane, the "Father of Raleigh" and "Father of Wake County."
In the late 1760s, Lane settled at Wake Cross Roads located in colonial Johnston County. Lane and his house played a key role in North Carolina’s transition from colony to state and in the establishment of Raleigh as the state capital. Joel Lane's plantation manor stood on a small hill, overlooking the future site of Raleigh. Lane owned thousands of acres, which enabled him to be influential in politics.
Lane was a member of the colonial General Assembly, and in 1770 successfully lobbied to create Wake County, at the time a sparsely settled wilderness. The county was named "Wake" in honor of Margaret Wake, wife of colonial Governor William Tryon. In 1771, Wake County's first county court is believed to have convened at his home. Lane was appointed a member of the court, a position he held until his death. During the Revolutionary War, Wake Cross Roads was the site of important government meetings, both formal and informal. In 1776, Lane hosted the colony Council of Safety; the following year, he obtained a license for a small inn. From May to June 1781, Lane’s property was the setting for a session of the state General Assembly. Lane served in the state Senate in 11 of the 14 sessions from 1782 to 1794. He was also a delegate to the 1789 convention in Halifax that ratified the United States Constitution.
...
Wikipedia