Anniversary Tea

I have just gotten an update from the committees, on our Tea which will honor our garden club being in existence for 55 years! This garden club has done so many wonderful things for the city of Brunswick and Glynn County that it is time to highlight the many good women who have been members of the organization. Magnolia Garden Club over the fifty five years - has planted, weeded, watered, and pruned numerous flower beds along the causeways, in local parks and beside government buildings. They have awarded scholarships for young people in horticulture studies, they have cleared old plantings in the historic squares of Old Town Brunswick and helped put in fresh new landscaping. They have supported local, preservation organizations with financial contributions raised through their presentation of a historic tour of homes at Christmas and they have lovingly taken on several projects to bring the joy of a blooming garden to the elderly in senior care centers. And there is a special place in their heart for the historic Oak Grove Cemetery on MLK - being humbled by it's history they were so happy to be able to give the funds necessary to replace the windows on the beautiful, little Chapel. I am proud to be a part of this group and proud to be the chairman of our 55 celebration event. Should you be interested learning more about our club, here are a couple of things I would like you to know: we have a growing membership - 3 new members this month! Our club meets in private homes on the first Wed. of every month at 7:00. Please check out our face book page for the locations and then come and join us for a nice evening of fellowship, learning and growing!!
Wishing you full blooms!

628 Union Street, ca 1898

     Built just after the great Hurricane of 1898, this is another example of Victorian "Folk" architecture.  The home is constructed entirely of wood and has a deep front-facing gable decorated with a curvy verge board.

  

    

     The favorite  views of the homeowners are from the front porch looking out on Union Street.  Don't forget to say "hello" to Paul the Lamb while you are there.

     

825 Albany Street, ca 1925 and 828 Albany Street, ca 1908

     Albany Street is the location of a well-known local landmark, Lovers Oak.   The tree is believed to have gotten its name from Native American tales of young lovers secretly meeting under its branches.

     825 Albany Street, a Colonial Revival - Georgian, has the original oak floors throughout, wainscoting in the dining room and built-in cupboards.   This home provides beautiful views of the winding branches of the live oaks.

    

   

     Directly across the street is 828 Albany Street, a Folk Victorian - one of the three Folk Victorians on this year's tour.  The woodwork in the house is all original, and be sure to notice the beautiful curved pocket doors that lead into the parlor.  

821 Union Street ca. 1900

     You will notice immediately upon entering this house that it is still under renovation.  It is being lovingly restored by the homeowners, taking out old walls and replacing the floors and updating plumbing.

     Be sure to check out the scullery -  one of the homeowners' favorite places to have a cup of coffee in the early morning!

8 Hanover Square ca. 1880

     This home faces historic Hanover Square, one of the 14 squares laid out in the original township of Brunswick. 

     This Second Empire style home has undergone a recent renovation with sensitivity to its historic place in Old Town.  The kitchen and great room are new and yet feel old, warm and inviting.   Don't miss this gem in the heart of Old Town.

     

1119 EGMONT STREET, ca 1904

This "Folk Victorian" home was built in 1904 by Henry C. Courvoisier for his wife Catherine. 

The original house was totally modernized and restored from 2007 - 2011.  An addition and the garage were designed to maintain the main house's historical integrity through similar style.   Upon exiting the house, you will pass through the screen porch and a Charleston-type garden. 



2010 Christmas Tour of Homes - - a success!

Many thanks to everyone who supported our 2010 Christmas Tour of Homes  - our wonderful guests, the carolers, 3 Oaks Carriage company, Red Bug Motors, Lowes, numerous volunteers, and of course the generous home owners who let us into their fabulous homes.  We also had a great group of sponsors and advertisers who made this event possible.  This was a wonderful show of support for historic Old Town Brunswick.

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.

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 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.

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.

Oak Grove Cemetery Clean-up

Join us in Magnolia Garden Club's  efforts to help "clean up and beautify" historic Oak Grove Cemetery on Saturday, October 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Meet us there with your gloves, gardening tools and friends. Call Sandy at 912-280-0650 for more information.