Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Kennedy-Forehand House
c. 1908
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024
1. Kennedy-Forehand House Marker
Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 34° 14.535′ N, 77° 56.494′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on North 7th Street south of Campbell Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 N 7th St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Morris-Bailey House (here, next to this marker); Wehrhahn House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bowdoin-Moore House (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Baptist Church (about 300
this page online
Regarding Kennedy-Forehand House. Excerpt from the historical research report on the house:
The Kennedy family evidently bought the property as investment property. Soon after buying the property in 1904, they took down an existing house on the property and built a 2-story Colonial Revival-style home. The Kennedy's never lived in the house; the city directories indicate it was rented during the entire period the family owned the property. Lorenzo Kennedy and his wife, Sarah J., were a prosperous black family in turn-of-the-twentieth-century Wilmington. They lived on Red Cross Street and ran a grocery store for a number of years. Mr. Kennedy was also listed as a baker. The Kennedys had five children. They left the house at 511 North Seventh Street to their daughter, Juliet E. Baily. The house remained in the family until heirs sold it in 1945 to John and LucindaForehand.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 20242. Kennedy-Forehand House Marker
John Forehand was listed in the City Directories as having a number of occupations over the years. He was listed variously as a laborer, a carpenter, an orderly in a hospital, a sexton for St. Andrew's Covenant Presbyterian Church, a janitor, and a kitchen helper. His first wife, Lucinda, died in 1976. He married Clementine Cromartie several years later and had the title to the house put in both their names in 1980. When Clementine died in 1984, John apparently moved elsewhere, the house was vacant for several years, and apparently was sold in 1991 after John Forehand's death.
Also see . . .
1. Kennedy-Forehand House. Historical plaque application packet includes more details about the house and its owners and occupants. (Port City Architecture collection, New Hanover County Public Library) (Submitted on January 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF) . National Register nomination that expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
