The B.F. Mann House, circa 1889

    

      The original house built in the late 1800s belonged to Mr. Mann who owned a furniture store on Newcastle Street. Sometime after 1930 the house burned down and the present structure was built to look like the old one . . .  from the outside. Inside is an updated, version with all the comforts of the twentieth century.

     Everything changes when you walk in the front door. You will be surprised by a modern, open floor plan with a big family kitchen, 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and something unheard of in the other homes like this one…..closets and storage space.

McKinnon House featured in Georgia Times Union

Great article on the McKinnon House in Sunday's Georgia Times Union!

http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-11-28/story/old-town-brunswick-homes-offer-glimpse-christmases-past

Getting Ready for Christmas

     When downtown shopping, check out the Christmas Tree in historic Jekyll Square.  Magnolia Garden Club purchased the tree with proceeds from the 2009 Christmas Tour of Homes and had a great time decorating it.   It is all ready for Santa's arrival.

The Lott-Parker House, Circa 1900

     Another Union Street jewel, this residence was built by J.J. Lott, and stayed in the same family until 2005.  Note the first story windows crowned with broken pediments and the Corinthian columns. These details identify the Colonial aspects of the house.

  

     The rounded stepped entry and squared door and side light arrangement show a mixture of Neoclassical influences that make  this home part of the Eclectic Movement.

The Whalen House, circa 1901

     Built in 1901 on the corner of Prince and Reynolds this house was the home of a doctor on Newcastle Street. He like so many doctors of the time traveled by horse and buggy, you can see the stable in the back.

   

     This classic folk style house is identified by its patterned stick work on a front facing gable. Turned spindles on the front porch give this house Queen Anne details. The front and back parlor are separated by working pocket doors in solid oak. There was a dumb waiter in this house, see if you can find what it is used for now.

Countdown to Saturday December 4th-Ticket Outlets-Raffle Items

Only a few more weeks left now to our 2nd Annual Christmas Tour of Homes in Historic Downtown Brunswick on Saturday, December 4th, 2010!

Advance Tickets are on sale NOW at the following ticket outlets:

Jekyll Island: Jekyll Bookstore

Darien: Doodlebugs Flowers, McIntosh Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center (at the Outlet Mall on I-95)

St. Simons Island: Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry, Pat's Hallmark (Retreat Village), Whippersnapper's

Brunswick: Color Me Happy, Hattie's Books, Lai-Lai's, K.K's Silver Secrets and Accessories, Pat's Hallmark (Colonial Mall).

We will also have some amazing raffle items available at our Bakery Market at the First United Methodist Church--to start off your day when you pick up your official Tour Booklet and to end your day after the tour by putting your Tour Ticket into one of the raffle boxes to win various gift certificates, a table-top vintage style popcorn machine, autographed copy of Ronda Rich's new bestseller "What Southern Women Know About Faith", and many other GREAT items generously donated by individuals and local merchants!

We hope to see you then!

The McKinnon House, circa 1902

     This house was built by lumber magnet L.T. McKinnon. Many historical pictures exist of this home and its original owners.

     The Hipped roof with lower cross gables defines this home as Queen Anne and the seventeen Corinthian columns give it Free Classic details.. You will delight in the white Georgia marble front steps and the solid wood double front doors of the entry. Many of the light fixtures which were gas have been converted to electric yet still retain their period significance.

     Costumed docents will be in each room to answer your questions. Music will be in the air and you might even catch a glimpse of carolers as they stroll down the sidewalk.

Oak Grove Cemetery Clean-up

Members of Magnolia Garden Club and many new and old friends gathered for a clean-up day at historic Oak Grove Cemetery in Brunswick.  Thanks to all who came out and helped!



The Sam Davis House, circa 1912

     Sam Davis a shipping captain married Rebecca Davis who was sister to Margaret Davis Cates ( a local historian until 1958)and built this home as a working farm for his large family when Bon Aire and Johnston were tidal creeks.

     This house is a gable-front-and–wing style with a hall-and-parlor floor plan. A shed roof add-on for kitchens and bathrooms are prevalent in this building style and as lifestyles and families grew and changed through the years this type plan easily changed along with the times. It was simple, popular and family-friendly.

     The homeowners have so much to share with you in this home and as soon as you walk into the parlor you will feel like family. There are collections of historical significance and antiques tastefully arranged with emphasis on presenting a vision of multi generations of delightful people through photographs and personal treasures. The kitchen and dining room will give you a glimpse of what life meant on a working farm – hard work, family gathering at the end of the day and simple pleasures of a life well lived. Natural greenery, home made decorations and the fragrance of fresh flowers will delight your senses inside and out as you share Christmas in the coastal south.

The DuBignon House, Circa 1869

Henry Riffault du Bignon built this house for his wife, Alice Symons of Savannah. The Du Bignon family was among the millionaires of Jekyll Island for four generations.  The boxy, Mansard roof allows a full upper story in the attic and is a carry-over from a time when property taxes were levied per story of a residence.  This style is often called “The General Grant” style because it was popular during his presidency.  The architecture is rare for the southern states but Old Town has several fine examples of Second Empire style among its’ historic treasures. The Du Bignon House has thirteen rooms beautifully appointed with period antiques; careful consideration has been made by the homeowner to restore the home to its place as a Union Street historic jewel.  Every detail from the slate shingle roof to cracked plaster moldings to the rotting wood on the front porch has been joyfully restored and you will instantly know when you walk in the front door of this one hundred and forty year old home that it is much loved.