The Pomerene Center for the Arts is housed in the Johnson-Humrickhouse Home built in 1836 by Anna (nee Johnson) and George Silliman. George was a well-traveled attorney who had seen the splendid homes of the South as well as the classic architecture of Europe while serving as US ambassador to Spain. His knowledge of and interest in architectural design was reflected in the construction of his home
, currently listed on the National Historic Register as a premier example of Greek Revival architecture. Their only son having preceded them in death, the Sillimans left the property to Anna’s siblings, four of whom had married into the Humrickhouse family (thus the elided name). With encouragement from estate executer Warner Pomerene, two Johnson Brothers left the house and their extensive collections of Asian and Native American art and artifacts to what is now the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum in Roscoe Village. The house was in extreme disrepair and was eventually restored by Lora and Warner Pomerene who lived in the house until the early1980’s. In keeping with the generosity of the Johnson Brothers, the Pomerenes left the house to the community upon their deaths.
