Tragedy Strikes Historic Home
In January, the Lee Kennedy home at 606 North Osage Drive was consumed by
fire. The home was one of several built by Tulsa pioneer Dr. Samuel G. Kennedy for his
children. The Kennedy residences, together with the Springer House, formed the nucleus
of the historic Country Club District in northwest Tulsa.
Maurice DeVinna, the owner of the home, suffered minor burns but was otherwise
unharmed. The contents of his home were completely lost. This loss is particularly tragic
for anyone interested in Tulsa history. As a member of a pioneer family whose
connections with the city go back to the nineteenth century, DeVinna's collection
included books, decorative arts and ephemera that traced every aspect of the city's
cultural development. Anyone who knows DeVinna is aware that he gave new meaning
to the term "pack rat." His penchant for saving had resulted in a collection of materials coveted not only by the staff at the THS, but also the libraries at Philbrook and Gilcrease.
It is a testament to the quality of construction of the Kennedy house that the
exterior of the structure remained largely unscathed. Only the roof showed obvious
damage. The property was purchased by a dedicated preservationist and is currently
undergoing restoration. A new roof is in place and the house appears to be on the road
back to its position as a gracious landmark reflecting a grand era of Tulsa's history.
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