Little Rock settles lawsuit with Terry Mansion family

Little Rock, Arkansas – The City of Little Rock and the Terry Mansion heirs have come to an agreement following a protracted legal dispute.

In addition to reaching a settlement with the family, the city is giving them back the deed.
The heirs to Terry Mansion, represented by Richard H. Mays, told us they are pleased with the lawsuit’s outcome as they make decisions regarding the property’s future.

Mays began working with the family in 2021, following the historic site’s abandonment without any intentions for preservation or restoration.

“Water has intruded, and while it hasn’t affected the house’s stability, it has affected a lot of the interior walls and the wood on the outside,” Mays stated.

It is a unique building with a unique history.

Built in the 1830s, it housed several illustrious families and even served as a school for young ladies. It served as a gathering place for women who were advocating for school integration in 1958.

The Terry family gave it to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in the City of Little Rock in 1964.
Decades later, it is but a skeletal remnant of its previous splendor, ready for use.
The City of Little Rock will return the deed to the property heirs and pay $795,000 as part of the settlement.

The funds will be utilized for the property’s renovations while the family decides what to do next.