Really OT: Hunt-Phelan Home goes on the auction block

[Jill McQuown]

[Posted to 2 newsgroups]
This is definitely OT so please don't post "what's this got to do with food"
replies. The answer is "nothing", except perhaps that they probably ate
some wonderful meals.

If you care to, please take a moment to visit these web-sites. The
Hunt-Phelan Home is one of the most historic homes in the Memphis area.
It's an Antebellum mansion, built in the early 1800's, with virtually all of
the contents preserved intact. Next month, a "first" (as far as I know)
will occur as the contents of the historic Hunt-Phelan home hit the auction
block online on Amazon.com.

This house not only was headquarters to General Grant during the occupation
of Memphis in the American Civil War, it was also the site of the first
Freedman's school in the country after the war.

I believe there is still a chance to save this once graceful and historic
home. I heard on the radio, National Bank of Commerce in Memphis, TN, has a
fund set up and is accepting donations to keep this place going. The mayors
of Memphis and Shelby county have each pledged half a million in funds
towards the effort, but it requires $3 million to save it. I even heard,
although this isn't something I can verify, that the mayor of Memphis
shelled out $100K from his own pocket after taking the tour of the home and
discovering the historic significance. (Rock star Mick Jagger hasn't lifted
a finger, yet according to the article on the first web site he is a good
friend of the owner... I have my doubts about that claim, since he could
save it single handedly.)

http://www.civilwarweb.com/magazine/hphome.htm

For details about the auction, click on the link from the site below:

http://www.hunt-phelan.com/

I am not affiliated with this place. I post this because I have a love of
history and antiques. I would hate to see this gorgeous home and all it's
belongings torn to pieces and sold to the far corners of the earth, when the
owners did so much throughout the last century and more to ensure it would
all remain in one place. If you can help, please contact the National Bank
of Commerce in Memphis, TN to see
about making a donation.

Jill
--Beloved dog Sampson: April, 1982 - November, 1999