From 1881 to 1886, the house was home to Charlotte Forten Grimké (1837–1914), an African-American abolitionist and educator, one of the first Northerners to enter Union-controlled areas of the South during the American Civil War in order to teach freedmen and their children.

The bay, main roof line, and an entrance hood all have a heavy modillioned cornice.

[5] Charlotte Forten was born to wealthy African Americans in Philadelphia in 1838, and was steeped in abolitionist activity from an early age.

She wrote articles for William Lloyd Garrison's Liberator, the leading anti-slavery publication of the day.

Following the Civil War, she was known as a supporter of women's rights, including suffrage; and as a teacher and writer.