Today is "S" day on ABC Wednesday and we've hit the "S" lottery with the symmetrical, Sigmund Sternberger house on Summit Avenue! Sigmund Sternberger moved to Greensboro from South Carolina in 1899 when he was twelve years old. In 1926 (at the age of 39), Mr. Sternberger built the above house at 712 Summit Avenue. This green-tiled, Mediterranean-styled brick house was considered a masterpiece of construction in its day. Mr. Sternberger lived there with his sister, Rosa, and her husband, R. Mack Williams. Mrs. (Sternberger) Williams managed the home and oversaw the care of the home inside and out, including the formal and informal gardens. Still standing today, behind the house, is a brick carriage house and another small outbuilding that looks like it might have originally been a kitchen. Today, other than this landscaping visible in the front, not much remains of the original gardens. The interior woodwork is intact. Unfortunately, the furnishings do not do the house justice.
The Aycock/Summit Avenue residential neighborhood was founded in 1895 and developed by the Sternbergers, along with their textile-mill, business partners the Cones. The neighborhood was conveniently located between downtown Greensboro, the textile mills, and the thriving mill communities built for employees. Mr. Sternberger lived at 712 Summit Avenue until his death in 1964. The family did not want the house to be torn down to become office buildings or retail space, like the properties around it. To ensure that the home be preserved, it was a memorial gift to the United Arts Council of Greensboro by the Sigmund Sternberg Foundation in 1971. The home was placed on the national register of historic places in 1993. Today, it is studio and teaching space for local artists.
The Sternberger home is well-documented (read here). If you are interested in history and biographies of Greensboro, Sigmund Sternberger was an amazing citizen whose philanthropic legacy and financial commitment to the arts continues today into the 21st century (here). School students in Greensboro would be well-served to learn about the life of Sigmund Sternberger. Even though his father and uncle (Herman and Emanuel Sternberger) founded Revolution Cotton Mill Corporation, young Sigmund worked his way up from errand boy through just about every job to treasurer and eventually to director. No job was too menial for the young Sternberger! Also, his commitment to civic, charitable, and religious organizations was impressive. As an example, he served at treasure for Temple Emanuel for 47 years.
To see our A-R selections, go here. Also note that the house above is only about a block from the Bessemer Curb Market.
Looks like a spectacular home on Summit! We have old mansions on Summit Avenue in St. Paul!
Jazzy regards from the Rotary International convention in New Orleans
Posted by: Leif Hagen | Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Symmetric, but with the small asymmetries that make all the difference. Nice one.
Posted by: RuneE | Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:47 AM
it's nice to hear about people who work hard & give of themselves to others generously. Sternberger sounds like a cool guy.
Posted by: Lily | Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:59 AM
Very interesting post and perfect for S.
Posted by: Carver | Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 10:31 AM
looks practically palatial, yet not too fancy
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Posted by: Roger Green | Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 05:54 PM
I enjoyed this visit to Greensboro. This shot really is green (LOL) and it was really interesting.
Posted by: Meryl | Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 08:09 AM