Ragtime pianist's historic home to open for tours

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The historic, Victorian house of ragtime pianist J.W "Blind" Boone is set to open this summer after 16 years of renovations.

The J.W. "Blind" Boone Heritage Foundation will host a public celebration this summer before the home opens permanently for tours, receptions and other activities.

Boone's house was built in 1889, the same year the pianist married Eugenia Lange, the youngest sister of Boone's manager. The house at 10 N. Fourth St. became a part of Sharp End, a black business and entertainment district north of Broadway in downtown Columbia.

After Boone's death in 1927, the house was used for the Stuart Parker Memorial Funeral Home and later for Warren Funeral Chapel.

The city bought the Boone house from Warren Funeral Home 16 years ago for nearly $180,000.

Renovations totaling more than $800,000 went slowly because the house was in such poor condition.

For the past year, the Rev. Clyde Ruffin has sought various treasures at garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets to accessorize the home. He often refurbished the items himself to put the finishing touches on the home.

Boy Scouts, MU students and others in the community also volunteered to help with renovations, Ruffin said Financing came from state and federal grants, donations, city appropriations and the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau.