Built as a residence for Judge John Wycliffe Taylor in 1857-58, the house at 902 S. 12 th St. played an important role in Springfield’s African- American history from 1901 to 1908, when it served as the site of the Ambidexter Industrial and Normal Institute. Modeled on Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute, the Ambidexter Institute’s goal was to provide African-Americans education and training in the skilled trades. The curriculum included classes in domestic science, millinery, dressmaking, plumbing, painting, carpentry, bricklaying, shoemaking and general mechanics, as well as music and elocution. A shortage of funds caused the Institute to close its doors in 1908.
By 1982, the house had fallen into severe disrepair. Upon learning that the house was slated for demolition, Jerry Jacobson of Save Old Springfield stepped in, acquired the property, and put more than $50,000 of his own money into its restoration. In an attempt to raise awareness about its significance and its dire condition, Jacobson brought the Taylor House to the attention of Landmarks Illinois, which put it on its annual list of the state’s 10 most endangered structures in 2004.
Ultimately it became clear to Jacobson that he did not have the resources to restore the house alone. In 2013, with the support of local preservationists, historians and neighborhood residents, Jacobson transferred the house to The Springfield Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers Springfield’s underserved and minority populations to identify and solve neighborhood problems through collaboration and partnership with various stakeholders.
The Springfield Project has a vision of redeveloping a 49-block area of Springfield’s east side, bounded by South Grand Avenue, MLK Jr. Boulevard, Cook Street and 11th Street, which the organization calls the Neighborhood of Hope.
“The idea is that the Taylor House could be kind of a community center for an entire redeveloped neighborhood on the near east side,” said Sue Massie of Massie, Massie and Associates, who has been instrumental in efforts to save the building.
The Springfield Project has invested considerable time and resources into improvements to the Taylor House, including removal of old vinyl siding and removal of two later additions. Still, it is facing an uphill battle. Massie notes that “redevelopment of that area of town has not gotten the attention or support it has needed to get off the ground.” Meanwhile, the house still requires work, and the projected costs are rising.
“I think we’ve lost a little bit of opportunity by letting time go by,” Massie said. Still, The Springfield Project has talked to contractors and gotten estimates on the work needed. “We’d be ready to go if we got an infusion of a little money.” –Erika Holst To learn more about how you can help the Taylor Home, contact The Springfield Project at 217-753-3551 or emailinfo@thespringfieldproject.org.
