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Perhaps even more beautiful than this quaint cottage (c. 1891) is the story of the woman who worked so hard to build it.

Ms. Adeline Rose was determined to build a beautiful home to raise her family – as an African American woman born into slavery and later a single mother raising three children in the post-Civil War South.

Managed by the Morgan County Historical Society, Rose Cottage is one of Madison’s most beloved historic house museums, welcoming visitors to discover its inspirational story.

Life

Born into slavery in 1864, little is recorded of Ms. Adeline Rose before she began construction on her cottage in 1891. A widow with two children, Ms. Rose earned her living by taking in laundry and ironing at 50 cents a load. Much of her business was with The Hardy House, which was a Madison hotel opened by the mother of American comedic icon Oliver Norvell Hardy, perhaps better known as one half of the Academy Award-winning comic duo Laurel and Hardy.

A pioneer of her time, Adeline Rose built a successful business despite the racial and gender barriers she faced as a single Black mother. 

Home

One of the many remarkable achievements Ms. Rose accomplished was the construction of Rose Cottage. It was not typical for the time that a woman would buy land and begin construction on a home from scratch. Not only did she have the home built to her liking, Ms. Rose included her woman’s touch to the design of the home – adding beautiful decorative elements to the house that would have been quite elaborate and unusual for the average working class homes of the time. Unique sawn brackets made the front porch stand out. While glass was very expensive at the time, the cottage features full length windows.

When Adeline Rose died in 1959 at the age of 95, the residents of Madison knew the importance of preserving this house that was a labor of love. In 1996, the City of Madison moved Rose Cottage to its present location in downtown Madison, so people from all around the world can know the story of Adeline Rose and experience the conservation of her charming cottage.

Legacy

Against what surely must have felt at times to have been insurmountable odds, Ms. Rose provided for herself and her children, created and led a successful business, and was able to construct a beautiful home to be proud of.

There are a variety of life lessons to be learned by understanding the story of Rose Cottage – a testament to the power of hard work, determination and good old American grit. On your next trip to Madison, step into Rose Cottage to experience for yourself what life would have looked like for this amazing woman and enjoy the conservation of the home her hard work built.

Hours*: 

Tuesday – Saturday:
10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Sunday:
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm 

Admissions:

Tours of Rose Cottage or a combination tour that includes Heritage Hall, Rogers House and Rose Cottage are scheduled on the hour by appointment; walk-ups are also taken on the hour. Tours are led by docents and last approximately 50 minutes. Appointments may be made on the day of the tour or scheduled in advance. To schedule individual or group tours, please call (706) 342-9627.

Admission for a combination tour of Heritage Hall, Rogers House, and Rose Cottage:

  • Adults $15
  • Students $10
  • Children under 12 are free

*Please refer to MCHistorical.com for the most up-to-date information on hours, holidays, and other possible changes to the schedule.

ABOUT

Perhaps even more beautiful than this quaint cottage (c. 1891) is the story of the woman who worked so hard to build it.

Ms. Adeline Rose was determined to build a beautiful home to raise her family – as an African American woman born into slavery and a single mother raising three children in the post-Civil War South.

Managed by the Morgan County Historical Society, Rose Cottage is one of Madison’s most beloved historic house museums, welcoming visitors to discover its inspirational story.

Life

Born into slavery in 1864, little is recorded of Ms. Adeline Rose before she began construction on her cottage in 1891. A widow with two children, Ms. Rose earned her living by taking in laundry and ironing at 50 cents a load. Much of her business was with The Hardy House, which was a Madison hotel opened by the mother of American comedic icon Oliver Norvell Hardy, perhaps better known as one half of the Academy Award-winning comic duo Laurel and Hardy.

A pioneer of her time, Adeline Rose built a successful business despite the racial and gender barriers she faced as a single Black mother. 

Home

One of the many remarkable achievements Ms. Rose accomplished was the construction of Rose Cottage. It was not typical for the time that a woman would buy land and begin construction on a home from scratch. Not only did she have the home built to her liking, Ms. Rose included her woman’s touch to the design of the home – adding beautiful decorative elements to the house that would have been quite elaborate and unusual for the average working class homes of the time. Unique sawn brackets made the front porch stand out. While glass was very expensive at the time, the cottage features full length windows.

When Adeline Rose died in 1959 at the age of 95, the residents of Madison knew the importance of preserving this house that was a labor of love. In 1996, the City of Madison moved Rose Cottage to its present location in downtown Madison, so people from all around the world can know the story of Adeline Rose and experience the conservation of her charming cottage.

Legacy

Against what surely must have felt at times to have been insurmountable odds, Ms. Rose provided for herself and her children, created and led a successful business, and was able to construct a beautiful home to be proud of.

There are a variety of life lessons to be learned by understanding the story of Rose Cottage – a testament to the power of hard work, determination and good old American grit. On your next trip to Madison, step into Rose Cottage to experience for yourself what life would have looked like for this amazing woman and enjoy the conservation of the home her hard work built.

HOURS & ADMISSION

Hours*: 

Tuesday – Saturday:
10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Sunday:
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm 

Admissions:

Tours of Rose Cottage or a combination tour that includes Heritage Hall, Rogers House and Rose Cottage are scheduled on the hour by appointment; walk-ups are also taken on the hour. Tours are led by docents and last approximately 50 minutes. Appointments may be made on the day of the tour or scheduled in advance. To schedule individual or group tours, please call (706) 342-9627.

Admission for a combination tour of Heritage Hall, Rogers House, and Rose Cottage:

  • Adults $15
  • Students $10
  • Children under 12 are free

*Please refer to MCHistorical.com for the most up-to-date information on hours, holidays, and other possible changes to the schedule.

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