TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- The City of Tallahassee may soon add the home of former FAMU football coach and civil rights leader to its Local Register of Historic Places.
212 Young Street is better known as the Gaither House. It originally belonged to Alonzo “Jake” Gaither and the current owners are hoping to turn the house into a museum.
Gaither was known nationwide as an advocate for civil rights. He was also the football coach at FAMU from 1945 to 1969.
Gaither had the home built in 1954, and at that time the area was comprised mostly of FAMU faculty and employees due to its close proximity to the University.
Cornelius Jones bought the home in 2014, and though the house has went through extensive renovations, much of the exterior remains in its original form.
The Gaither Home also contains a large collection of furnishings and memorabilia, The current owners say they would like to turn the home into a museum and/or special events center if zoning laws would allow.
However, for this to occur, the area needs to be rezoned. The city will introduce the ordinance to place the Gaither House on the Local Register of Historic Places and to change its zoning classification at its February 10the meeting.
The first and only public hearing for this ordinance is scheduled for February 24th.
