Herndon Home, National Historic Landmark, Turns 100 With Centennial Celebration Sept. 11 At History Center

chandelier as well as furnishings and fittings acquired during his excursions to Europe.

Herndon became a developer and major property owner in Atlanta and later founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company.  He is widely considered to be Atlanta’s first Black millionaire.  He was also an organizer of the Niagara Movement, the forerunner of the NAACP. After Herndon’s death in 1927, Norris Herndon assumed the presidency of Atlanta Life, with Jessie Herndon, Alonzo’s second wife, as Atlanta Life’s vice president. During this period, the company experienced tremendous growth.

The Centennial Celebration of the Herndon Home represents the kick-off of the first major capital campaign initiated by The Herndon Foundation to support the expansion of services and the ongoing restoration of the Herndon Home.  The foundation has plans to complete the renovations thereby providing a larger facility in which to host social events at the home. The September celebration is open to the public; tickets are $200 each.  For information about tickets to the celebration, please contact Eventions at sonjiay@bellsouth.net or telephone 404-505-8188.

The Herndon Home is located at 587 University Place, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30314.  Guided tours are conducted hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment.  There is a fee for admission, and special discounted rates are available for groups.  For more information about the Herndon Home and to schedule a tour, please telephone 404-581-9813.

The Herndon Foundation is the guardian of the Herndon Legacy. “It is our privilege and responsibility to perpetuate Mr. Herndon’s entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic legacy throughout the Atlanta community and across these United States,” says William J. Stanley III, chairman of the Herndon Foundation.  “At this critical juncture when African Americans are seeking mentors and role models, Alonzo Herndon’s life work is exemplary. It is a beacon which continues to call us to service a century later. It compels Black men and women of every age to become inspired by Mr. Herndon’s accomplishments. It encourages us to emulate his business prowess and commitment to the community.”

“If I thought that anything with which I was connected would always be small, I would not want to be in it,” said Alonzo F. Herndon, when commenting about his life’s accomplishments.

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