Murfreesboro, TN - The stately Italianate home at the corner of East College and North Academy Streets has stood as a quiet witness to Murfreesboro’s evolving story for nearly 170 years. Built in 1856 by Confederate surgeon Robert Turner Baskette and his wife Helen Crichlow, the house has survived war, tornadoes, and the steady march of time. Now, thanks to the determined efforts of the Woman’s Club of Murfreesboro, the historic structure is getting the care it deserves.

Club President Aurelia Holden shared her gratitude for a recent boost to the restoration campaign. “The Club is very grateful to John Floyd for the $15,000 donation from John D. Floyd Charitable Foundation, Inc. This is a wonderful recognition of the importance of our preservation efforts,” she said.

Renovation work is moving forward steadily. Electricians have been carefully rewiring the home, and thanks to proceeds from Silver Coffee & Tea 2025, the club has been able to tackle plumbing improvements in Apartment #2, located above the Library and Dining Room. That work includes better alignment with the hall bathroom below and the removal of outdated plumbing from the Assembly Room ceiling—small but meaningful steps in a much larger preservation plan.

The home’s legacy is rich. In 1916, it was purchased by the Woman’s Club from the estate of hotelier James Monroe Haynes. That same year, the club was officially chartered, transforming the residence into a center for cultural and civic engagement. It even served as Murfreesboro’s first public lending library, offering books to residents from 1887 to 1948.

The club’s origins stretch back to the Helen Hunt Jackson Reading Club, founded in 1887 by women devoted to literature and community service. Their efforts laid the groundwork for the Murfreesboro Library Association and helped shape the Woman’s Club into a lasting civic institution.

Today, the building remains a symbol of resilience and purpose. It weathered the devastating downtown tornado of 1913 and continues to be lovingly maintained by club members. Recent years have brought roof repairs, HVAC upgrades, and structural improvements—all part of a multi-phase campaign to ensure the home’s future.

More than just bricks and mortar, the Woman’s Club building is a living chapter of Murfreesboro’s history. It’s a place where stories are shared, friendships are formed, and the spirit of service continues to thrive.