Historically known as the Kenan-Bell House, this has also been home to the Humbert and Scarboro families, among others.
Natalie O’Neal wrote in 2022: “…I recently found what I think are drawings from my Grandmother of this house layout. On her drawing, she wrote, “our home, Liberty Street, Milledgeville GA. Better known as the old Kenan Home, “J.O. Barnes Sr. sold this house in 1905 to J.F. Bell of Milledgeville Georgia.”
J.O. stands for James Oscar and my grandmother was Mabel Jean Barnes O’Neal. I would love to know if this is the same house...”
I think we can confirm that it is the same house. From the street, the house looks quite small, but a satellite view illustrates that Mrs. O’Neal’s amateur floor plan fits nicely. Judging from the drawings, the small wing on the right side of the house is a later addition.
My guess is that the house was originally a four-over-four; with the kitchen and first floor bedrooms added later.
Mrs. O’Neal also did a sketch of the cellar (not shown) and indicates part of it still had a dirt floor. There was also a dry well. While not to scale, these images are a nice representation of the house, and a wonderful family memento.
Milledgeville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Hi Allison & Brian, I recently found what I think are drawings from my Grandmother of this house layout. On her drawing, she wrote, our home, Liberty Street, Milledgeville GA. Better known as our old Kenan Home, “J.O. Barnes Sr.” sold this house in 1905 to J.F. Bell of Milledgeville Georgia.
J.O. stands for James Oscar and my grandmother was Mabel Jean Barnes O’Neal. I would love to know if this is the same house. I’m happy to send you the sketches she did of the cellar and the 1st and 2nd floors.
Please share via email, Natalie. I’d love to see them! wbrianbrownATgmailDOTcom
Please see if you can find more information about this house. I believe it was originally owned by Colonel Augustus Holmes Kenan, father of Lewis Holmes Kenan. I can not find any correlation to the Bell Family. Much appreciated.
I will do my best.