After all, Robeson was one of the icons of the 20th century, known for his versatile accomplishments and political activism around the globe. Yet for so many years, he was systematically erased from history books and archives by the U.S. government and media for speaking out against racism, fascism, and injustice.

Let's see. There was Robeson the famed singer, actor, and author. All-American athlete at Rutgers. Multilingual lawyer. International activist for organized labor. Phi Beta Kappa scholar. Winner of the Lenin Peace Prize. And, yes, patriotic American, despite what his Red Scare detractors would have you believe.

Robeson, born in Princeton, was large in stature and larger in his accomplishments. Yet Stories From the Paul Robeson House: Lives Touched by a Renaissance Man, an intimate book of oral histories from 33 local folks who felt his impact - including many of his West Philly neighbors - helps make him a little more accessible.

What better place to have a book-signing celebrating him than the Paul Robeson House, where he lived for his final 10 years? The $10 book, sold at the house, was produced with the Pew Center for the Arts and WHYY. The signing and reception will be held Tuesday.

The West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance bought the house, at 4951 Walnut St., and its twin for $120,000 in 1984.

The Robeson House, a registered historic property, is a cultural center hosting concerts, films, book discussions, organizing meetings, even chess matches - all of which Robeson held dear.

Why, then, is alliance president Fran Aulston losing sleep at night?

Renovation dispute

Which means remaining funding is on hold and the project can't get additional grant money. So pressing needs, such as fixing the windows and painting the house before winter, can't be completed.

The beloved house once belonged to Robeson's sister, Marian Robeson Forsythe, a retired teacher.

Neighbors remember Forsythe's home as gracious, with beautiful chandeliers, hand-sewn rugs, and a kaleidoscopic rose garden. They also remember her as a protective caregiver to her brother, who lived there until his death in 1976 at age 77. His sister died the next year.

Robeson's presence alone instilled a sense of pride in the neighborhood.

So says Arcenia McClendon, a retired teacher who in the book recounts seeing Robeson sitting on the porch with Forsythe, wrapped in a blanket. One day, McClendon says, she noticed Robeson wasn't sitting on the porch.

By that time, Robeson was frail, the government's relentless persecution taking a toll on his health.

"He's not having a good day today," Forsythe told her. "He's in bed. . . . Would you like to come up and see him?"

McClendon remembers thinking, "I am going in Paul Robeson's house. I am going up Paul Robeson's steps."

The house is the keeper of Robeson's legacy. Which is why Aulston constantly worries that its restoration won't live up to the man himself.

"After so many years, people are wondering when we're going to paint the house," she said.

"This is just devastating. We're losing the respect of the community."

Keeping it alive

Well, organized labor listened, and when you think about it, it's almost as if Robeson had called the workers to action.

In the 1920s and '30s, at the height of his artistic popularity, Robeson worked tirelessly for organized labor, here and abroad.

"We're talking to other trades, and hopefully we can help bring the Robeson House up to the level it needs to be," says Jim Harper, business manager of Laborers' International Union Local 413 in Chester. Harper wants to complete the windows, insulate, and scrape and prime the exterior of the house before winter.

"Paul Robeson did a lot for the labor movement," Harper says. "He gave speeches, performed fund-raisers, raised morale. He's always been one of my heroes, so we should do nothing but give back."

To a man who sacrificed for all of us.