The Oxford Historic Preservation Commission gave the green light on Monday to a plan to renovate and expand the historic Theora Hamblett House on Van Buren Avenue.

The house is best known for being the longtime home of Theora Hamblett, a well-known self-taught Mississippi artist. Hamblett lived in the house from 1939 until her death in 1977. She began painting at age 55 while living there and often rented out rooms to University of Mississippi students. More than 600 of her works are part of the University of Mississippi Museum’s collection.

Built around 1872, the house is considered a valuable part of Oxford’s historic district. It was later updated in the 1930s, combining different architectural styles over time.

The approved plan includes fixing up the original house, adding a new wing, and building a separate garage and pool. Back in January, the Commission looked at the proposal and raised concerns about the size of the addition and the placement of the garage.

Since then, the homeowner’s team made changes, moving the garage farther back so it’s behind the house and lines up with the new addition. The new wing will be bigger than the original house—about 3,586 square feet compared to the original 2,935—but it will be a little shorter in height to help it blend in better.

Some Commission members still had concerns about the size of the addition, but appreciated the efforts to keep it out of view from the street and behind the original structure.

They also thanked the owners for choosing to preserve and restore such an important part of Oxford’s history.