Tour
-
The Back Parlor
In this room hangs the portrait of Alexander Hamilton Stevens, the only Vice President of the Confederacy. He would later serve as Governor of Georgia from 1882 until his death in 1883. The portrait on the left is of Judge Eugenius Nisbet. He was a member of the House of Representatives, the Georgia Senate, and was also a Judge of the Superior Court. The calling card tray was presented to Mrs. Varina Davis in October 1887 when President Davis and his family came to Macon for a reunion of the Confederacy.
-
The Front Parlor
The landscapes and portraits were all done by Miss Lizzie Canning, the youngest daughter of Charles Canning. Lizzie would become a student of Wesleyan Female College at the age of 18. She would take a total of 8 years of art classes. It is known that she would take classes in charcoal, oil, pastel and crayon. The picture in the frame on the table is of Miss Lizzie Canning in the early 1880s.
-
Gift Shop
Our inventory of products includes jellies, honey and preserves, and if you’re looking for an unusual treat, you can try our FROG jam or TOE jam.
Books, jewelry, toys, and ornamental collections make up the remainder of our inventory. Our gift shop was originally attached to the house on its right side as you face the house from Mulberry Street. -
Gardens
The gardens are almost constantly in bloom. A sunken garden represents an early English garden style which was brought over by the early settlers. The visitor will also find an herb and vegetable garden sections. From a bronze cannon barrel to a historic railing where Confederate President Jefferson Davis addressed the people of Macon, there are several historic pieces in the garden.
-
Brick Kitchen & Servant’s Quarters
The original brick kitchen and servants quarter is only a short walk behind the house. The upper level of the building was once occupied by slave house servants while the bottom floor was used for food preparation and dining. A great spinning wheel and weasel sit astride unseeded cotton and cotton combs to tell the story of thread production and weaving.
-
The Formal Dining Room
Descending the stairs and proceeding to the rear of the house we enter the dining room. Large pieces of ornate artwork hang from the walls while the large dining room table is covered in silver serving sets and displays. A crystal churn, with lid, accompanies a sterling silver pitcher and dipper which survived the invasion of the Union army after being buried.
-
The Confederate Museum
Originally an open sleeping porch, this quaint little room is filled with lit display cases containing uniforms, weapons, and accouterments which were used by the Confederate Soldiers of Middle Georgia. The room tells the history of Macon’s efforts as an industrialized center for the war. Flags, metals and letters are also a portion of the collection and a must see.
-
The Ladies Bedroom
Decorated in a more feminine fashion the Ladies Bed Room has a more modest bed covered by a hand tatted spread. Ornate hand fans hang from the wall as a testimony to their use. A wardrobe and chest of drawers, covered with silver mirror and brush set, make up a portion of the furnishings. Learn about mourning customs of the period as you view the hand woven wreath made entirely of human hair. A hand cranked sewing machine and table, such as you will see, made life much easier for the woman of the house.
-
The Main Foyer
Upon entering the house the visitor will step back in time to the mid 19th Century, quickly realizing the ceilings of the home are twelve foot high. The entire house is furnished to the 1850's, complete with reproduction period wallpaper and a 36” pier mirror that reaches from floor to ceiling. A leaning grandfather clock stands beside an 1850's era rosewood square grand piano. The heart pine floors are covered in matching rugs.
-
Judge Asa Holt’s Room
Most of the furniture in this room was owned by the family and date to the mid 19th Century. A large bureau, as well as a beautiful chest of drawers and marble top table with chairs make up a portion of what you can expect to see. The windows offer a wonderful view of downtown Macon as well as the opportunity to learn the path of the shell which struck the home in 1864.