The white-washed boards and shutters of a building often house more than just the family who lives inside it.
It can house the inspiration of a community.
The hope of a people.
One such edifice is the Dr. John W. Darden House on Auburn Street in Opelika.
"The Darden House has a lot of culture to it," said Yvonne Brown Phillips, former president of the Darden Foundation. "Knowing the culture of the Darden House and what it means to this area will mean that other people would try to keep their property preserved and restored and processed."
Darden was born in 1876 and moved to Opelika from North Carolina in 1902.
"He came to Opelika because one of his friends was working in Tuskegee and told him that if he came here to Opelika, there was not a black doctor in Opelika, and he would be able to make a decent living here," Phillips said.
During the first half of the 20th century there was no hospital in Lee County that treated blacks. Phillips was delivered by Darden in her family's home.
During their time in Auburn the Dardens established roles as leaders and benefactors in the community.
"Everybody loved Dr. Darden," Phillips said. "You could just tell when Dr. Darden spoke in our church, people appreciated (it)."
While Darden was serving Opelika's black residents by meeting their medical needs, his wife opened their home for social events, particularly for youth and prominent black leaders such as George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington.
Phillips said Darden offered etiquette and charm lessons to the girls she knew.
Every Christmas she hosted a party.
"And that's what we looked forward to, going to Mrs. Darden's house for a Christmas party," Phillips said.
As Darden grew older and his health deteriorated he closed his practice downtown and continued treating patients in his home.
He used his screened porch as a waiting room and had an examining room in the home.
However, for almost two decades the Darden House was not used for anything.
After the Dardens passed away the house was sold, eventually foreclosed on and then stood vacant for years.
But it was later purchased by the J. W. Darden Foundation and restored because of its cultural significance.
The foundation continues the history of treating Opelika residents in the house.
"It is being used right now as a wellness center," Phillips said. "People go there to have blood pressure and anything dealing with wellness (taken care of). ."
It is because of the foundation's interest in preserving the heritage of the home that it was added to the historic register in August 2009.
"Basically, the national register is the nation's official list of properties that are worthy of preservation," said Edson Beall, a historian with the national parks service. "It offers protection from federally funded projects."
The nomination submitted by the foundation cited the significance of the house and the prominent role Darden played in the community.
However, some think having the house placed on the register is just the beginning of what they would like to see done for the house.
"I would love to see the Darden house turned into what it should be, an African-American cultural center," Phillips said.
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