I wrote about Rhodes Hall shortly after I returned to Atlanta, back in September 2010, so I won't go into great detail about the available tours or event rental space, but I would like to go into some of the finer architectural and decor details of the mansion...
Rhodes Hall
When you visit—and definitely splurge for a behind-the-scenes tour—observe everything...look up and down and sideways. There's so much detail to take in here!
Rhodes Hall
The stained glass windows, which depict the story of the U.S. Civil War, have a considerable amount of detail...you could spend the entire day just gazing at the windows!
Rhodes Hall
Those stained glass windows frame one of the most beautiful stairwells I've ever seen. It's no wonder so many Atlanta brides choose Rhodes Hall as the perfect location for their wedding ceremony.
Rhodes Hall
Already possessing a rich history, Rhodes Hall continues to make memories that Atlantans will recall for centuries...what's your memory here going to be, I wonder?
Rhodes Hall
There are numerous fireplaces throughout the mansion...be sure to study each in great detail, because that's exactly what they offer—an immense amount of detail!
Rhodes Hall
And keep an eye out for the more subtle details. Looking at this photo, you wouldn't think this radiator is at all subtle, but there's so much going on in this house that any of the hundreds, if not thousands, of details could be easily overlooked...so keep your eyes peeled.
Rhodes Hall
Not everything in the house reeks of masculinity...there are some gorgeous feminine appointments as well.
Rhodes Hall
Remember, I said to look up. If you don't, you'll likely miss this kind of detail...actually all of the ceilings have very intricate details, details you definitely want to see!
Rhodes Hall
Even knowing that Rhodes was the man behind Rhodes Furniture, I think you'll still be blown away at the detail he put into his home. I probably shouldn't be surprised, but still...
Rhodes Hall
And of course the total package is something right out of Hollywood. You would never dream that while standing on Peachtree Street looking in this kind of beauty awaits you. And I guarantee everyone who ventures in for a tour of Rhodes Hall is destined to be pleasantly surprised.
I've been to the Atlanta History Center on numerous occasions, but had not seen the Swan House in holiday decor...and wanted to. So, this past weekend I went.
Swan House, Atlanta History Center
I got there a few hours before they closed, hopeful that there were still some tour slots remaining (they don't let you reserve Swan House tours online, they give out tickets in-person upon arrival). Fortunate for me, the young lady who checked me in made an exception (membership has its privileges!) and got me on the very next tour. On the downside, you can't make photographs 'inside' the Swan House, but definitely on the upside the interior is stunningly beautiful and you won't forget it! Our tour guide, Migel (yes, that's Migel with an 'M'), was incredible! He's one of the best tour guides I've experienced in Atlanta. I didn't tell him, but I may very well be borrowing some of his material when I give my next tour. He's not only incredibly knowledgeable about the Swan House, he has a great sense of humor! Migel also told us that the Swan House will be seen in the upcoming release of "Hunger Games: Catching Fire", the second film in the Hunger Games trilogy. Here's a brief Atlanta History Center video on the Swan House...
And here are a few more photos...
Swan House, Atlanta History Center
Swan House, Atlanta History Center
Swan House, Atlanta History Center
The house was designed byPhillip Trammell Shutze, which was a big deal, and completed in 1928. A big deal, Shutze-designed buildings, that I'd know nothing about were it not for the education my friend Terry Kearns, author of Architecture Tourist, has provided on many of Atlanta's buildings. There's lots to learn about the magnificent Swan House (ironically, the Swan House is half the size of the family's former home)...I always enjoy my visits there.
One of the most famous homes in Atlanta, recognized immediately by anyone who has lived here for even a brief while, is the once residence of the Edward H. Inman family...the Swan House. The house gets its name—Swan—not from a family member, but from the swan design elements found in the mansion.
Swan House, Atlanta History Center
The Swan House is on the 33-acre Atlanta History Center in the Buckhead area of Atlanta and just down the street from the Governor's Mansion (which offers a fantastic tour!).
I was graced with fortune when making this photo. The moon was visible for less than a minute. By time I called over the friend and fellow photographer I was visiting with, the clouds had already covered the moon and it was closing time, so no time to wait.
When you go to the Atlanta History Center, ask for tickets to tour the Swan House. Tours are timed and the tour group size is limited. You cannot get into the house without a tour ticket!
Another cool thing of note, the Atlanta History logo—the star in a circle—is also taken from the Swan House, but I'll let the tour guide give you the details on that.
Please enjoy the above pre-sized Facebook Cover Photo of the Swan House and then head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page to discover others. Remember to "Like" the Page while you're there! Enjoy.
Drive by Rhodes Hall, one of only a couple of what used to be hundreds of mansions lining Peachtree Street, and you'll see a sign in the front yard that reads "Castle for Rent."
No, no, no...you can't move in. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has their headquarters on the upper levels and the rest of the house is open for daily tours, but...you can rent the "Castle" for special events. This time of year, especially on a weekend afternoon or evening, you just might catch a wedding ceremony underway...and what an incredible backdrop--one of the most beautiful homes in Atlanta.
The glass building you see on the right is the headquarters for Equifax, the largest credit bureau in the country. Founded in Atlanta in 1899 as Retail Credit Company by brothers, Guy and Cator Woolford, the company grew to become a world leader in the realm of modern credit reporting.
Don't get too excited. Your credit records are not in this building. They're actually housed in another high-security facility further outside the city.
ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!
To say that the South is obsessed with the Civil War would be an understatement, but it's not as pervading as one might think...until you start looking.
Fortunately, some of the examples of the fascination with this event are quite beautiful, such as the nine (three sets of three) stained glass windows depicting the rise and fall of the Confederacy (photo) in Rhodes Hall on Peachtree Street.
Weddings at the the Swan House in Atlanta, popular in the spring and summer, are privy to some of the most beautiful backdrops in the city. Part of the Atlanta History Center's 33-acre complex, the Swan House was completed in 1928 with architect Philip Trammell Shutze at the helm.
The Swan House, and several other spaces at the Atlanta History Center, are available for weddings, as well as special and corporate events.
For those who are not necessarily seeking a wedding venue or are visiting from out of town, daily tours (scheduled at admissions onsite) of the Swan House and the entire Atlanta History Center complex are available (Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of a wedding party!). This tour is one that I highly recommend, just plan ample time to explore!
ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!
On this day in Georgia History, Button Gwinnett, one of the three signers of the Declaration of Independence from the State of Georgia, was appointed the second president of the Council of Safety. He succeeded Archibald Bulloch , great grandfather of James Stephen Bulloch (see my recent post on Bulloch Hall).
Bulloch Hall is one of the three historic homes on "The Southern Trilogy: Historic Homes of Roswell" tour. James Stephen Bulloch was one of six heads of household who settled Roswell, Georgia, in the 1830s.
ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!
"The Southern Trilogy: The Historic Homes of Roswell" tells the tale of the founding of Roswell, Georgia. Three historic homes tell us a lot about the first families and how they lived. While there are technically six founders of Roswell, there are three homes on the Southern Trilogy tour.
I'll cover the logistics that are common to all three houses first and then move on to the house that is the topic of this particular post.
Roswell, Georgia, was founded by six families headed by Archibald Smith (of Smith Plantation); Barrington King (of Barrington Hall); James S. Bulloch (of Bulloch Hall); John Dunwoody; Nathan A. Pratt; and Elizabeth King Hand.
First, each home has a strict photography policy. You may make photographs of the exterior of the home only if they are for personal use. Photos of the interior are not permitted. Photos for commercial use require a permit (paperwork may be obtained at any of the homes), which costs $100. NOTE: Please do not use photos in this post for publication, anywhere…thank you (for keeping me policy-compliant).
300 Year Old White Oak
Guided tours are offered for each home. Self-guided tours are not available. Tours at each home start on the hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 3:00 p.m.
A rather unique feature offered at each of the Trilogy homes, one that I like very much, is self-guided "cell phone audio tours" of the homes' grounds. If you arrive after the guided tour starts, this is a wonderful option for exploring the grounds while waiting for the on-the-hour guided tour.
Signs are posted around the property with the dail-in number and location code. If you explore the grounds following your guided tour of the home, you can pick up a map of the audio tour stops inside the home. NOTE: the audio tour is free, but your applicable personal telephone plan charges will apply (great news for those with unlimited plans).
The audio tour includes information about the tour stop, as well as "letter readings" (letters to and from house residents from years past) at many of the stops.
Want a preview of the audio tour? You can listen to them, or a sampling of them, online.
The Arrival
Smith Plantation
Getting to Smith Plantation was a little tricky…you just have to keep a close eye on the signs. If you get lost, just look for the giant domed municipal building. Smith Plantation is to the right of that building if you’re looking at the front door.
I arrived at Smith Plantation shortly before the 2:00 tour. I had time to visit a few of the out buildings on the grounds before having to be on the porch for the tour start time. I was also keeping an eye out for my new friend and tour companion who I'd met at Bulloch Hall.
Smith Plantation, porch
Peering through the sidelight window of the front door I could see the tour guide at the back of the house, so I knew the next tour would be starting momentarily.
The door opened and a bright and cheerful greeting came bursting forth from Jane. Jane was to become my favorite tour guide of the Trilogy…it wasn't long before we were chatting and discovering common interests, specific to the house.
My previous tour buddy ended up taking longer at lunch in Historic Roswell than she thought she would, but she kindly made the effort to bid a farewell between my tour and her tour. I love it when a total stranger becomes a friend so quickly, even if fleetingly brief.
The Families
Archibald Smith, his wife Anne, and their two children left the Georgia Coast (near Savannah) in 1838. The home, the Smith Plantation, was completed in 1845. Three generations of Smiths would live in the home. Unfortunately the final family there was the end of that family line.
Smith Plantation
Of the four children that Archibald and Anne eventually had, only the two girls were formally educated. Both sons fought with the Confederate Army and one died of illness approximately one month following the Confederate surrender.
Of the third generation of Smiths, only one child married (Arthur), but not until he was 60 years old.
After Arthur's passing in 1960, the Smith's cook, Mamie Cotton, who ended up working for the family for 54 years, moved in to help take care of Mary. Upon Mary's passing, she left the house to the City of Roswell, but with the stipulation that Mamie could live out her life in the home. Mamie remained at the house and on Mary's payroll for the rest of her life.
The Home (the tour)
The house was built, by some of the 30 slaves who moved with the Smiths, approximately one mile from the town center and was an example of an upscale plantation home, for the time.
Smith Plantation
Practically all of the contents of the home are the original belongings of the three generations of Smiths who lived in the house…a rare circumstance and a total treat for tourists (and historians, too!).
The home is packed to the gills! It turns out that all three generations of the Smiths were "packrats," which translates into a significant amount of historical artifacts and documents.
One of the more interesting artifacts in the house is Willie's trunk from his time in the Confederate Army. The trunk was stored in the attic for quite a few years. When it was rediscovered, there was a list of its contents inside and, incredibly, nearly all the items were still in the trunk, save a few items that Willie had sent home to workers at the house.
Smith Plantation, Parson's Room right
The other rooms in the home are exquisitely furnished…the actual amount of furnishings is difficult to convey without photos, but suffice it to say that when the word packrats is attributed to the Smiths, it's in all fondness absolutely true.
In 1940 at the bequest Mary, the home was remodeled. The porch was expanded to two stories high from one and indoor plumbing and electricity were added.
The Smith Plantation house also had a "Parson's Room" for travelers. A parson's room, usually on the back of the house, was available to travelers (oftentimes clergy) and usually unlocked for those who arrived after the family had retired for the evening.
Well
The Grounds
Of the homes on the Trilogy tour, Smith Plantation has the largest collection of out buildings, numbering nearly 15, some from the 1840s and the latest added in 2001.
Typical of the time, a Cook House—the kitchen—was outside the main house. Partly because it was difficult to cool the house, but primarily because of the threat of fire, which did in fact happen. The Cook House burned down in 1863 but fortunately the fire did not spread to the main house because of heavy rain that night.
Smith Plantation, lamp post
Mary also purchased 48 lamp posts from a park in London and had them shipped to the United States on the Queen Mary. She had them electrified and installed on the Smith Plantation grounds.
The Return
Do I think I'll return to Smith Plantation? Actually, I would like that very much. However, I think I will visit one house at a time of the Trilogy tour. Three in one day was a lot for research, but if for pure pleasure it would be fine. When I return, I hope that Jane is the tour guide that day…she was the ultimate!
Touring The Southern Trilogy: Smith Plantation
Date toured: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Location: 935 Alpharetta Street, Roswell, Georgia (directions and map) Parking: Free onsite parking Cost: $8 Adults; $6 Children (or $18 for all three homes) Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The last tour is at 3:00 p.m. Events: The Smith Family and Civil War Exhibit, May 1 – December 31, 2011. Website: http://www.roswellgov.com/index.aspx?NID=220
"The Southern Trilogy: The Historic Homes of Roswell" tells the tale of the founding of Roswell, Georgia. Three historic homes share with us a lot about the first families and how they lived. While there are technically six founders of Roswell, there are three homes on the Southern Trilogy tour.
This post, the second of three, is about Bulloch Hall.
I'll cover the logistics that are common to all three houses first and then move on to the house that is the topic of this particular post.
Roswell, Georgia, was founded by six families headed by James S. Bulloch (of Bulloch Hall); Barrington King (of Barrington Hall); Archibald Smith (of Smith Plantation); John Dunwoody; Nathan A. Pratt; and Elizabeth King Hand.
First, each home has a strict photography policy. You may make photographs of the exterior of the home only if they are for personal use. Photos of the interior are not permitted. Photos for commercial use require a permit (paperwork may be obtained at any of the homes), which costs $100. NOTE: Please do not use photos in this post for publication, anywhere…thank you (for keeping me policy-compliant).
Bulloch Hall
Guided tours are offered for each home. Self-guided tours are not available. Tours at each home start on the hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 3:00 p.m.
A rather unique feature offered at each of the Trilogy homes, one that I like very much, is self-guided "cell phone audio tours" of the homes' grounds. If you arrive after a guided tour starts, this is a wonderful option for exploring the grounds while waiting for the on-the-hour guided tour.
Signs are posted around the property with the dail-in number and location code. If you explore the grounds after your guided tour of the home, you can pick up a map of the audio tour stops inside the home. NOTE: the audio tour is free, but your applicable personal telephone plan charges will apply (great news for those with unlimited plans).
The audio tour includes information about the tour stop, as well as "letter readings" (letters to and from house residents from years past) at many of the stops.
Want a preview of the audio tour? You can listen to them, or a sampling of them, online.
The Arrival
Bulloch Hall
I arrived at Bulloch Hall after a brief stop at the Roswell Visitors Center where I met Florence Ann, a most charming and helpful person. She answered the last few questions I had so that I could continue my tours of the Southern Trilogy, sending me on my way with full confidence that I'd see everything I should and wanted to see.
Entering the Bulloch Hall estate is a little different from the others. You first go to an out building where ticketing and the gift shop are located, immediately adjacent to their ample parking lot. If this is your first stop on the Southern Trilogy tour, you can get your ticket for all three homes here.
You can purchase a ticket for a Bulloch Hall-only tour as well, but you save money by buying a Trilogy "Pass," and it does not expire. A docent at each home will sign the Pass to indicate that that portion of the Pass has been redeemed.
Slaves Quarters
With signed pass in hand, I headed up to Bulloch Hall just in time for the 12:00 p.m. tour.
The Families
One of the founding families of Roswell, Georgia, led by James Stephens Bulloch, a decorated Major in the Texas War for Independence, and his wife Martha Stewart (no relation to today's popular lifestyle guru) were the original habitants of Bulloch Hall.
Traveling with them from Savannah to Roswell was their three year old daughter, Martha "Mittie" Bulloch. In adulthood, Mittie met Theodore "Thee" Roosevelt in 1850 and again in 1853.
Well
Mittie and Thee were married in December of 1853 and moved to New York where they raised their four children, Anna, Elliott, Theodore, and Corrine. Their child Theodore Roosevelt would grow up to be the 26th President of the United States.
As it turns out, not one, but two American Presidents have roots traceable to Bulloch Hall. Elliott, another of Mittie's children, was father of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt who married Franklin Delano Roosevelt, her fifth cousin, who went on to become the 32nd President of the United States.
The Home (the tour)
I and a young lady I'd seen going into the 11:00 a.m. tour at Barrington Hall were to be tour mates at Bulloch Hall.
Bulloch Hall, side
Pat, our tour guide, told us a little about the families who resided in Bulloch Hall and outlined what we should expect during the tour.
Designed by Willis Ball, construction on the Greek Revival home was completed in 1839. Huge, thick white columns welcome visitors into the "lofty center entrance hall." There are an equal number of rooms on each side of the house, typical for the era.
The tour started in the entry hallway where Pat explained that the majority of the artifacts in Bulloch Hall are not original to the home, but that the furnishings are authentic to the period.
In the Library and the women's parlor there are, instead of doors, windows, stacked three-high from the floor, that work kind of like doors allowing family and guests out onto the piazza (they didn’t call it a porch).
Bulloch Hall, rear
While in the Library, Pat showed us an historic inventory of the furnishings in the home, with valuations. Interestingly, books were among the most valuable possession in the home, and there were quite a few on display, indicating that the Bulloch's had an impressive collection.
Pat showed us the dining room where Mittie (President Roosevelt's mother) and Theodore ("Thee") were married. Bulloch Hall today reenacts the wedding in a public event every year during the holidays, close to their December 22 anniversary.
We were told by Pat about the house bringing in a designer who specializes in furniture placement of the Bulloch's era. In one of the parlors facing the front of the house, there is a card table that had been placed in a corner near the hallway. The placement was corrected by the expert who put the table next to the front window…for its natural light. The Trilogy management has gone to great lengths to make each of the homes as authentic as possible.
On the tour we were shown a technological marvel…a "mechanical" flyswatter. This is the South and flies can be quite the pests at times. The mechanical flyswatter belonging to the Bulloch's would be used to keep the pests off of food during meals served in the summer months when the doors and windows were often open to allow breezes to cool the house. It was pretty ingenious, really!
Another interesting factoid…children were not allow to dine at the dining room table until they had come of age. Before that, they were fed in another room in the home.
Many of the beds in Bulloch Hall had built-in trundles, so that they could accommodate visitors. Common to the period, visitors would stay for weeks or sometimes months. Having accommodations for said visitors was a sign of welcoming guests and generosity.
On the upper floor is the relatively recently added Museum Room.
Replica of the
original "Teddy" bear
Remember to collect your free souvenir while there, an over-sized copy on parchment color paper of an article written by Peggy Mitchell, Margaret Mitchell’s penname while working at the Atlanta Journal.
The article, "Bridesmaid of 87 Recalls Mittie Roosevelt’s Wedding," is an interview with Mrs. William Baker who was Mittie Roosevelt's (mother of President Teddy Roosevelt) best friend and a bridesmaid at her wedding. The article was published June 10, 1923.
President Roosevelt, in 1905, visited Bulloch Hall, his mother’s childhood home. The towns folk were present to hear Teddy speak at multiple locations throughout the day, some of which you can hear on the audio tour.
The Grounds
When visiting, be sure to walk the entire perimeter of the house to see the various stops on the grounds tour.
Bulloch Hall Gardens
The gardens at Bulloch Hall are formal and diverse. In the formal garden there are different sections, including the Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden; the Rose & Perennial Garden; the Children's Garden; and an Herb Garden.
The reconstructed Slave Quarters, which had been destroyed by fire, are certainly worth a visit. And while you're milling around, a stroll down the Charlie Cothran Memorial Walking Trail will make for a nice distraction, especially during the moderate weather of spring and autumn visits.
The Return
Do I think I'll return to Bulloch Hall anytime soon? I have many friends who are history buffs who have not been and I would welcome another opportunity to explore Bulloch Hall. The tour is one of those that you know there's so much more history than can be told in a single tour, so each tour promises to teach you something new.
Touring The Southern Trilogy: Bulloch Hall
Date toured: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Location: 180 Bulloch Avenue (directions and map) Parking: Free onsite parking Cost: $8 Adults; $6 Children (or $18 for all three homes) Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The last tour is at 3:00 p.m. Events: Magnolia Ball, Saturday, June 11, 2011, and more. Website: http://www.roswellgov.com/index.aspx?NID=219
