This home was constructed in 1885 by J. S. Le Rue, a Longwood staircase builder and blacksmith. This T-plan house has many craftsman touches along the roofline and front section that are the handiwork of Le Rue and typical of the period.
After just a few years, the Le Rues moved out, and the home was subdivided into smaller apartments and used as a boarding house for many years.
In 1970, well-known local preservationists Grace and Robert Bedford bought the home and started a major restoration project. The Bedfords added an extension to the rear section of the house and replaced the original metal roof with shingles.
In 2017, the Brown family purchased the home. Christine Brown is a local artist and previously ran an art studio on the other side of 427 in the Henck-Tinker Building. After extensive work in repairs to the home, such as leveling floors, the new studio was opened in December 2017 in the Le Rue House.
LERUE HOUSE ART STUDIO
Take art lessons (kids and adults) or browse the studio to shop for one-of-a-kind pieces of art and jewelry. The studio is run by Society member Christine Brown and their family. More info: Barbed Wire Browns Blog…