Blind Boone Home
Blind Boone Home
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History of the Foundation

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at The Blind Boone Home
Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at The Blind Boone Home

In the fall of 1996 Mayor Darwin Hindman asked Debbie Sheals, a local architectural historian, to investigate the feasibility of preserving the “Blind” Boone home. Sheals, Greg Olson, Wynna Faye Elbert, William Thompson and others formed a group of interested preservationists who became known as the “Blind Boone House Project.”
Their first task was to distribute survey forms throughout the community, which were designed to solicit responses regarding the preservation, purpose and ownership of the home. The results of their findings were compiled in a report entitled, “J.W. Blind Boone House: Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Options.” The summary indicated a strong preference for the home to be conceptualized as a community center dedicated to African-American culture that would be accessible for music performances, educational programs and special events.
Encouraged by the survey responses and public support, the Blind Boone House Project resolved to form a not for profit organization and thus the John William Boone Heritage Foundation was established in 1997 to acquire, govern, restore, develop and manage the historic home of John William “Blind” Boone. They immediately petitioned the City of Columbia to purchase the home and through this partnership the arduous journey to stabilize and restore the home began.
The mission of the Boone Foundation is to insure that this home will stand as a lasting visual tribute to the greatness of John W. Boone and as a means to tell the story of this inspiring musician and civic leader, whose life transcended the barriers of disability and race. Moreover, we are committed to creating an experience where everyone who walks through the home or rests in the gardens will sense that this is a welcoming place that belongs to all of us.