PERCY H. & harriet p. stone house
the HOME OF THE first African American state 4-H Club leader in Georgia history
The Percy H. and Harriet P. Stone House has been listed on the Georgia Register of Historic Places, making a step toward national recognition!
Prepared in collaboration with their descendants, the nomination highlights the home’s significance at the state and local levels under Criterion B in the areas of Social History and Black Ethnic Heritage. Built in the c. 1890s, the period of significance spans from 1933, when Percy purchased the home, to 1977, when Harriet retired.
The Percy H. and Harriet P. Stone House is significant at the state level under Criterion B: Social History and Black Ethnic Heritage for its association with Percy H. Stone, the first African American state 4-H Club leader in Georgia history, during an era of segregation. Percy was known as a true 4-H Pioneer, “changing the course of history for Black youth in Georgia by creating opportunities for them to develop and belong as 4-H’ers.” Percy strengthened all aspects of the African American 4-H program in Georgia by establishing the 4-H Demonstration Farm at the House while overseeing the establishment of the first Negro 4-H Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Dublin 4-H Center - known as the best summer camp for rural African American children in the South, all while supporting local clubs throughout the state.
The Percy H. and Harriet P. Stone House is significant at the local level under Criterion B: Social History for its association with H.P. Stone’s pioneering efforts in establishing the Savannah Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. in 1960 and the Savannah Head Start program in 1966. H.P. was a member of the inaugurating “Howard University Project Head Start – Group 1.” H.P. was directly involved in the development and enhancement of the Federal Head Start program. Without her, one could argue that Savannah’s Head Start program would not have existed.
This home stands as the single most complete and compelling representation of their life’s work and remarkable achievements. It tells their unified story and triumphs — both career and personal — and for these reasons, we promote and celebrate its recognition and preservation.
Learn more about the life, work, and legacy of Percy H. and Harriet P. Stone through the Stone Work Archives. Images courtesy of the Stone Work Archives.