The Atlanta Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution received its charter in 1891, the first in Georgia and the second in the nation. The DAR's first home, the Massachusetts State Building for the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition was an exact replica of the Craigie House in Cambridge Massachusetts, a boarding house that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow used for years. The building at 1204 Piedmont was built in 1911 as a new headquarters and given the name Craigie House to honor the previous headquarters. The structure has struggled through problems throughout its life including poor construction techniques, structural damage during the Great Depression and a large magnolia tree in 1986. 

Although the roof and other parts of the buildings were repaired in the late 1980’s, the building deteriorated to the point that it was unusable by the DAR due to the group’s non-profit status and limited fund-raising ability. When the house is restored, relics from the Massachusetts Building at Atlanta’s Cotton States and International Exposition, which has were given to the organization for its headquarters in 1895, were to return to the house. The status of these relics is unknown at this time.

In the summer of 2012, the APC worked extensively with potential purchasers of the property on historic preservation guidelines, State rehabilitation tax credits and restoration suggestions.  Offers to purchase were not accepted and the building continued its decline.

In March 2013, the property was sold to a couple who reportedly plans to renovate it from its original meeting hall use into a single-family home.

 

On February 12th 2014 at 8 PM the outer walls and roof of the structure collapsed leaving the front portico and facade.  The APC is hopeful the remainder of the building can be saved.  The photo below was taken by APC Trustee Ralph Morrison.  Please continue to check our site for more details.

April 2016- Without alerting the surround community, the Craigie house was demolished. The loss of the Craigie house underlines the importance of increased local protection for historic structures, as the Craigie house was listed under several designation of significance, included the National Register of Historic Places, but was still demolished.

Listed in 2011, 2009, 2001

Address: 1204 Piedmont Avenue NE Atlanta, GA  30306
Area of City: Midtown
Time: 1911
Architect/Designer: A.F.N. Everett