HISTORIC HOUSES, LANDMARKS & MUSEUMS of the SOUTH

Magazine Antiques, Feb, 2000

FLORIDA

ST. AUGUSTINE: The Lightner Museum, City Hall Complex, King Street P.O. Box 334, 32084. Exhibits of diverse 19th Century decorative arts and fine arts are found in the Lightner Museum. Featured are collections of glass, porcelain, toys, natural history, Victorian collectibles and mechanical musical instruments. The Museum is open daily and is housed in the former Alcazar Hotel, an 1888 National Register Building. (904) 824-2874

GEORGIA

ATLANTA: High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. 30309.(in midtown Atlanta) The High Museum of Art serves as the premiere art museum of the Southeast. The collection is noted for its holdings of 19th and 20th century American & European art, photography and folk art. Additionally, the Visual Arts Learning Space functions as an interactive introduction to the fundamental elements of art for everyone. Admission; $6 adults, $4, seniors and college students; $2, students under 18; free for members and children under 6. Hours 10-5pm Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10-9pm. Friday, 12-5pm. Sunday, and closed Mondays and holidays. (404) 733-4559.

MADISON: Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, 434 S. Main St., at I-20 and U.S. 441, 30650. This 1895 schoolhouse will be the starting point for the Madison Spring Tour of Homes "Madison in May -- A Tour of Southern Charm", May 6 & 7, 2000. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to tour eight of Madison's finest homes in the historic district and countryside of Morgan County, GA. Tour information (706) 342-4743.

MARIETTA: Root House Museum, 145 Denmead Street, 30060. One of the oldest surviving houses in Marietta, The Root House offers visitors a glimpse of the home life of a middle class merchant. The museum features the house furnished with period furniture of the 1850's, a detached kitchen, well house, privy, and gardens. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:00-4:00. Admission. (770) 426-4982.

THOMASVILLE: Pebble Hill Plantation, P.O. Box 830, Hwy 319 South, 31799. Winter home representative of shooting plantations developed in Thomasville area by wealthy Northerners at the turn of the century. Sporting art, Audubon's, antiques, vintage cars, carriages. Guided house tours for adults and children in first grade or older daily until 4pm. Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. Days and hours are subject to change. (912) 226-2344.

KENTUCKY

SOUTH UNION: Shaker Museum at South Union, P.O. Box 30, US 68, 42283. Historic site of the last Western Shaker Village (1807-1922) exhibits unique "southern" Shaker material culture. Includes museum, museum gift shop and Shaker Tavern B&B all located in original 19th century Shaker structures. Full calendar of events/educational programming. Open daily March 1-Deceniber 1, except Thanksgiving day. Mon-Sat 9-4, Sun 1-4. For more information: 1-800-811-8379. Web: http://www.logantele.com/-shakmus/

HARRODSBURG: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., 40330. Largest restored 19th-century Shaker Village. National historic landmark. Living history site with 33 original restored buildings, and large collection of Shaker furniture and material culture. Self-guided tours, riverboat excursions, craft stores, dining and overnight accommodations. Special events. Daily 9:30-5:30. For more information call (800) 734-5611.

LOUISIANA

DESTREHAN: Destrehan Plantation, 13034 River Rd., P.O. Box 5, 70047. Only 8 miles from N.O. International Airport. Built in 1787, Destrehan is the oldest plantation house left intact in the lower Mississippi Valley. Fine collection of American antiques. Open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (except major holidays). Fall Festival, second full weekend in November. Call for additional information. (504) 764-9315.

FRANKLIN: Grevemberg House Museum, 407 Sterling Rd. (Hwy 322), 70538-0400. Magnificent antebellum Greek Revival townhouse (c. 1851), Elegant period furnishings, antique toys and Civil War artifacts echo the history of the surrounding area. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located in Picturesque Franklin, LA. On Bayou Teche Scenic Byway. Restored and operated by St. Mary Landmarks. 10-4 daily (except designated holidays). (337) 828-2092.

NEW ORLEANS: The Historical New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street, 70130. No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to The Historic New Orleans Collection-"a must see museum" Changing exhibitions reflecting local history and culture are free and open to the public. Tour the Williams Residence and the Louisiana History Galleries for a look at the state's colorful past. Open Tues-Sat. 10-4:30. For more information call (504) 523-4662. website: www.hnoc.org

RESERVE: San Francisco Plantation House, P.O. Box Drawer AX, 70084. This magnificent Open-Creole Suite Style Plantation House is a National Historic Landmark built in 1856. The only authentically restored house on the River Road featuring 5 hand-painted ceilings. Open 360 days per year, 10-4:30. Group rates available. Tour guides/ directors complimentary. RSVP for groups 15+. Lunches available. (504) 535-2341. Web/address: sanfranciscoplantation.org