Pierce, Elijah, Properties
Why it's listed
Two neighboring buildings on a single lot in Columbus's Near Eastside preserve the working life of folk artist Elijah Pierce. At 534 East Long Street, a stuccoed cement block barbershop built in 1954 still holds his original barber chair, sink and whittling table. A 1980 addition now serves as gallery space for his woodcarvings. Next door, at 142-44 North Everett Alley, stands a two-story brick double built in 1910, where Pierce lived from 1946 until 1970. Pierce, born in Mississippi in 1892, arrived in Columbus in 1924 and carved religious and secular scenes with a pocketknife, finishing them with bright house paints. The nomination argues that the shop and house matter because his works were made, displayed and interpreted in them. Most of the other places he lived and worked have been demolished, leaving these two and his later Margaret Avenue home.
Significance in brief: The properties are significant for their association with Elijah Pierce, an internationally recognized wood carver and a major figure in black American folk art. The barbershop is treated as an integral part of his artwork, holding his early carvings in the setting he arranged. The house was his home for 24 years, and both are among only three surviving Columbus sites linked to him.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83001971, listed August 3, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 534 E. Long St. and 142-44 N. Everett Alley, Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 3, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001971 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific dates 1946, 1954) |
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both buildings are in good condition. The barbershop is in use as the Elijah Pierce Art Gallery, and the former residence is occupied. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.96662, -82.98664 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83001971.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q105082164
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.