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In a city that invests in Main Street properties with good intentions, but no real plan, erects monuments, and builds recreational facilities to bring new life to downtown, we must ask: why not channel that same kind of intention and financial commitment into preserving and repurposing an unique and historic home — The Lehman House?

Once home to Suffolk’s first library, a USO center during World War II, and the Woman’s Club, this historic structure, built in 1891, represents far more than its imposing presence—it embodies a rare architectural style and a rich legacy of community service.

A French Second Empire Gem

Built in 1891 for Nathan and Minnie Lehman, the Lehman House is a rare and stunning example of French Second Empire architecture, distinguished by its mansard roof, architectural moldings and intricate detailing. Its elegance speaks to a time when Suffolk was on the rise, its cultural and economic landscapes shaped by industrious individuals like the Lehmans.

The Second Empire style was most popular in affluent parts of the Northeast and Midwest, less common on the Pacific coast, and rare in the South. The Lehman House stands as one of the few examples of this architectural style in our region, making it even more historically and culturally significant.

The Heart of Civic Life

In 1926, The Woman’s Club of Suffolk purchased the Lehman House, transforming it into a hub for cultural and intellectual life. The club’s legacy includes hosting influential figures like First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and facilitating the growth of Suffolk’s first public library. Opened on Armistice Day in 1926, the library began with 500 donated books and served the community until 1959, entirely staffed by volunteers for its first 15 years.

During World War II, the house became a gathering place for servicemen, offering games, hospitality, and a sense of connection during times of uncertainty. This house wasn’t just a building—it was a haven for the community in times of peace and war.

The Tragic Decline

By the 1980s, membership in The Woman’s Club declined, and the house changed hands multiple times. Each owner had dreams of preservation, yet life intervened, and the house slowly fell into neglect. For nearly two decades, it has been a shelter for the homeless and a victim of theft and the elements.

The property has been condemned and is set for demolition. It will be a serious effort to save and will require the passion, commitment, and support of many, including the City of Suffolk.

Despite this, the Lehman House still holds its heart. Its woodwork may be scarred, its mantles gone, but its oversized carved doors, original hardware and three story spiral staircase remain, along with the stories they have to tell. The Lehman House is not just a physical structure—it’s a living testament to Suffolk’s diverse heritage and community resilience.

Why Isn’t This Enough?

To save a property like the Lehman House, people need to see its beauty and value — not just in its physical form, but in its history and the stories it holds. When people fall in love with a place, they see its potential, its significance, and its future. If creating good memories for soldiers, serving as Suffolk’s first library, and hosting a vibrant civic club isn’t enough to inspire action, what is?

Preserving historically significant properties like the Lehman House benefits the integrity of all of Suffolk, not just the historic areas in downtown. Expecting to revitalize the area without respecting and repurposing its most meaningful historic buildings does a disservice to the entire city and disrupts the authenticity of efforts to rebuild. People actively search out history. They read about it, drive to it, and want to experience it. Suffolk has history in abundance—why would we miss this opportunity?

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’”Saving the Lehman House is an opportunity to connect Suffolk’s future to its rich and authentic past.

A Call to Action

There was a time, when we first moved here, that she was more of an eyesore than a lady. But as I have fallen in love with downtown and learned something of her past, I no longer wish to see her torn down. Instead, I hope to see her preserved, repurposed, and appreciated for all that she represents.

Repurposing the Lehman House offers the opportunity to reconnect with our city’s rich history while creating a useful and vibrant space for the downtown community.

Preserving the Lehman House is more than saving a building; it’s saving a piece of our city’s soul. It stands as a reminder of what Suffolk once was and what it could be again. But time is running out. Restoration requires more than nostalgia — it requires collective action and investment.

If this historic landmark is to survive, it will need champions willing to fight for it. Join with Preserving Historic Suffolk by reaching out to kristy@thetruitthouse.com. Can the City of Suffolk not give equal attention to this building’s preservation as it is doing in the efforts to save the historic Phoenix Bank? Both of these buildings are important and irreplaceable monuments to Suffolk’s past, symbols of our progress, and testaments to our community’s commitment to diversity. They cannot be replaced.

Suffolk has the opportunity to restore and repurpose the Lehman House — not as a home, but as a useful place of business or as a location in service to our historic downtown community.

Suffolk has a chance to restore not just a structure, but a symbol of its past, a beacon for its future, and a space that can once again bring people together. Let’s work together to ensure this treasure doesn’t become a forgotten relic of unrealized dreams.

Kristy McCormally is on the board of The Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society, the board of Preserving Historic Suffolk, a member of The Historic Landmarks Commission, and resides in historic downtown Suffolk.