1603 Meharry BL Nashville, TN
Circa 1915-20. 2-story red brick with Doric columns
Located on the Fisk Univ. campus, the Boyd House has remained steadfast. The home was built for Dr. Henry Allen Boyd (1876-1959 and Georgia Bradford Boyd (1884-1952). Constructed from 1915-1920, the Boyd Home has served as a tie to the school's illustrious history. Dr. Boyd's parents were Dr. Richard Henry and Hattie Boyd.
After Dr. Richard Henry Boyd's passing in 1922, Dr. Boyd led the National Baptist Publishing Board which distributed reading material to Baptist churches across America and the National Baptist Congress. He was also a major civil leader in organizing the boycott against Naskville's segragated streetcar system. Dr. Boyd co-founded and was edior of the Nashville Globe, a successful Black-owned newspaper and of the Union Review. His efforts in the education arena in 1909 led to the founding of Tennessee A & I State College (now Tennessee State University) in Nashville (vs. Chattanooga). He was also president of Citizens Bank and a director of Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Co. of Chicago. George was also active in civie affairs and pushed for colored women's voting rights. She worked with the Tennessee State Federation and the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs.
In 1938, the Boyd Home was purchased by Fisk. In 1980, it was very damaged by fire. An effort in the 1990s was made to partly restore it.
In 2021, the home was in great disrepair, and with Fisk having no monies to repair it, the home was faced with demolition. Dr. Learotha Williams at Tennessee State University learned of the demolition permits and campaigned successfully for its preservation. It will now be renovated and used as an educational space at Fisk. Dr. LaDonna Boyd, CEO/ President of R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp., is a major source of funding and support of this project. Dr. H.A. Boyd was her great, grand-uncle. NR Fisk University Historic District
Sources:
The Scene, Oct 6, 1991
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