The Historic Lowry House is truly a jewel of a historic property, steeped in Huntsville tradition by being connected to one of the city's first settling families.  Located off of Meridian Street in Huntsville, the Lowry House is a 3,000 square foot Italianate-Federal style structure that was built in three phases (ca. 1832, 1850, and 1910).  The home is named after John Lowry, who moved his family from Virginia to Madison County in 1809.  Lowry purchased the land near Meridian road and erected a log cabin along with slave quarters, barns, a blacksmith shop, and storage buildings that would become a thriving plantation and self-sustaining community.  The current structure contains elements of the original log cabin. 

 

The Lowry home weathered the Union occupation of Huntsville in 1862.  The family restored the house after the Civil War, but the property eventually fell into decline as ownership changed hands multiple times over the following years.  Jimmie Lowry, wife of Samuel H. Lowry, was the last Lowry family member to own the property when she passed away in 1902.  In the 1940s, the property had become a rooming house for workers at Redstone Arsenal.  Into the 1990s, modern buildings cropped up around the main house, obscuring with suburban sprawl.

 

In 1998, the home had been condemned by the city when Louie Tippett, and his wife Jane, discovered it.  After purchasing the Lowry house, the Tippetts began a 4-year restoration process, and upon its completion, the house was fully restored and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Today, the Historic Lowry House is available for events such as parties, receptions, and weddings.  The well-manicured grounds feature a spacious, fenced-in back yard perfect for entertaining.  The beautiful home is filled with interesting artifacts and information related to Huntsville's unique history.  It is a perfect place for learning and appreciating history first-hand.  The house hosts field trips for grade school children in the area.  This year, field trips are offered for third graders through Earthscope, a local organization that provides hands-on, experimental, and activity-based educational experiences for elementary school children.  These lessons will teach students all about the influence of King Cotton from planting to how we use the important crop in everyday life.  

 

In addition to these events, the Historic Lowry House is currently showcasing its 2012 Storyteller Series, which began on May 6 featuring Jack Straley who spoke on "Life in the Fifty's."  On Sunday, July 15, Bobby Hayden will present stories on African American culture.  Admission for the Storyteller event is $5.00.  Picnics, coolers, lounge chairs, and picnic blankets are welcome.  

 

For more information, call (256)489-9200 or email: thelowryhouse@knology.net.  The Historic Lowry House is located at 1205 Kildare Street, Huntsville, AL 35801.  Visit their website for more information about the house and upcoming events.