University of North Alabama Coby Hall
Encyclopedia
Coby Hall is an antebellum
Georgian Revival former residence in Florence, Alabama
that now serves as a learning and cultural center for the University of North Alabama
.
The former residence was built by John Simpson on the site of his earlier home in 1843. Simpson was sent to Florence by James Jackson, builder of the Forks of Cypress, another prominent antebellum structure in the Shoals
area, to buy land and to operate a mercantile business.
The Simpson House/Irvine Place, as it previously was known, later was purchased by George W. Foster, builder of Courtview (now Rogers Hall
), for his daughter, Virginia, and her husband, James Bennington Irvine. The residence later was inherited by the Irvine’s great granddaughter Mrs. Madding King.
Following World War II, the Kings restored the home, incorporating many architectural features still present today. In the early 1980s, then-owner Ellis Coats permitted Project Courtview, charged with the restoration of Rogers Hall, to use the mansion for Florence’s first Decorator’s Showcase as part of the project’s fundraising effort.
After serving briefly as a corporate headquarters, the mansion was purchased by David Brubaker and given to the University of North Alabama in memory of his young wife, Coby Stockard Brubaker, who lost her battle with cancer.
The newly refurbished structure was dedicated as Coby Hall in 2005.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Place, Coby Hall currently serves as the headquarters of UNA’s Continuing Studies and Outreach. The former residence also is the site for the annual Festival of Trees and is also a popular site for weddings, receptions and dinners.
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
Georgian Revival former residence in Florence, Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
that now serves as a learning and cultural center for the University of North Alabama
University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
.
History
The Shoals
The Shoals is a metropolitan area in northwestern Alabama, officially known as the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area, including the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield, and the counties of Lauderdale and Colbert...
area, to buy land and to operate a mercantile business.
The Simpson House/Irvine Place, as it previously was known, later was purchased by George W. Foster, builder of Courtview (now Rogers Hall
University of North Alabama Rogers Hall
Rogers Hall, also known as Courtview and Alumni House, located at 500 Court Street, Florence, Alabama, is a three-story antebellum structure built in 1855...
), for his daughter, Virginia, and her husband, James Bennington Irvine. The residence later was inherited by the Irvine’s great granddaughter Mrs. Madding King.
Following World War II, the Kings restored the home, incorporating many architectural features still present today. In the early 1980s, then-owner Ellis Coats permitted Project Courtview, charged with the restoration of Rogers Hall, to use the mansion for Florence’s first Decorator’s Showcase as part of the project’s fundraising effort.
After serving briefly as a corporate headquarters, the mansion was purchased by David Brubaker and given to the University of North Alabama in memory of his young wife, Coby Stockard Brubaker, who lost her battle with cancer.
The newly refurbished structure was dedicated as Coby Hall in 2005.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Place, Coby Hall currently serves as the headquarters of UNA’s Continuing Studies and Outreach. The former residence also is the site for the annual Festival of Trees and is also a popular site for weddings, receptions and dinners.