Our History

With over a century of history built into its foundation, The Raven stands as a testament to resilience, heritage, and community. Originally constructed in 1916, this distinguished two-story brick building was both the home and business of Lawson Leroy Pratt, Florida’s second African American mortician to be licensed. Mr. Pratt, a visionary entrepreneur, established his funeral home in the early 1900s, the business served the community with deep dedication until 2019. Many well known individuals, including the incredible Bessie Coleman stepped through to the next phase of life here.

More than just a place of remembrance, this building was also home to the Pratt family, with the second floor serving as their private residence and the first floor as the heart of their service to the community.

Designed and built by Joseph Haywood Blodgett—one of Jacksonville’s pioneering African American contractors—this structure has played a vital role in the city’s history. It was here that the first organizational meeting of the Florida People of Color Embalmers & Funeral Directors Association took place, a reflection of Mr. Pratt’s progressive vision. Ahead of his time, he was one of the first in his field to welcome and train women as embalmers.

Following the Great Fire of 1901, which devastated much of Jacksonville, Blodgett contributed to the city’s rapid reconstruction. By 1919, his firm had built more than 250 homes, many of which were in African American neighborhoods, as well as several larger homes in the Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles, including his own—Blodgett Villa—formerly located on West 8th Street.