Oaklands At Christmas

In Murfreesboro, TN

Here I am at this beautiful Italianate Mansion for the Candlelight Tour December 5, 2015.

 

If you want to visit, here is the webpage Oaklands Historic House mansion

 All photographs taken by Taylor Speer-Sims, The Sassy Countess and are copywritten with usage by written prior-permission. I am really good at giving permission with the idea that photos are given full credit. However, with the consistent deluge of unauthorized copying, I'm afraid I will have to enforce.

Me in time-period costume provided by Oaklands. You all know how much I LOVE plaid!

Garland at the front door

I was told this is a "head-hunter portrait" Three grandchildren of Dr. Maney

Dapper Steven Thomas

Inside the "Davis Bedroom."

Gorgeous Sarah

Quilts inside the cedar chest. I was super surprised because my Mawmaw made me one exactly like the one on the right! "Turkey Tracks"

The upstairs front hall and Christmas tree where I was.

The three Keeble children: Sally, Mary, and Walter in the "headhunter portrait."

Selfie of me and beauteous Lindsey Whitley

It really was a special night. 

Me At Oaklands Halloween Part 1

The Flashlight Tours

Part 1 - Friday Night, 2015

Here I am at the front door.


As you can see, it is decorated for Halloween. 
There are "spider webs" covering the front door.















This is the lady of the house. Sally Hardee Murfree Maney. She was born in 1793 and died in 1857. She had eight children, four of whom died within four months of one another in 1838-9. The children's death was due to cholera, which is a water-born disease.  This portrait was complete in 1839, when she was in mourning's second-stage. This is evident because she is wearing a white bonnet, collar, and cuffs.

On Friday evening, I was stationed in the back parlor, which was the fancy parlor at the time of Sally's death. This would have meant that she was laid out if the parlor where her portrait now resides.

 This is Dr. Maney, the man of the house. Apparently, the doctor was incredibly religious and would not allow dancing or alcohol in the house.


It is interesting that four of his children died. This meant that diseases effected the wealthy as well as the poor, the white as well as the black, and the educated along with the non.

This is a portrait of Governor Cannon. He was the eighth Governor of Tennessee, and the first Whig Governor of Tennessee.

This gorgeous lady was the wife of Governor Cannon, and mother to the young lady who married the Maney's son.

A grand table set for a dinner in the back parlor.

The same location, but I took the photo without the flash. This is how the room was lighted. You could really only see the photographs and other details with the flashlight.  


























While not covered for the event, mirrors would have been covered if the family was in mourning.

Here you can also see silver pitchers and crystal and silver spice rack.

Gorgeous marble mantle with a coal stove in front. 

Visit Oaklands Historic House Museum!

Different Types Of Classical Revival

Introduction

     I am excited to talk with you about the different types of Classical Revival styles. I want to make these articles dialog friendly, and hope that you reply! While I cannot say that I am a specialist in architectural styles, I can say that I have had my fair share of architectural classes, both undergrad and grad. And, I can also say that my obsession with homes of American and British Gentry will help in the discussion.

The National Register of Historic Places lists only a small type of these homes. These are:

·        Italianate

·        Georgian

·        Federal

·        Classical Revival

·        Greek Revival

·        Romanesque

·        Renaissance

 

    

      What makes the homes that I will present different than the ones listed above? That is a great question! First, the types listed are generalizations. Secondly, (and most importantly) many of the grand estates in the South have been “Grecianized” or “Romanized,” etc. The love affair with columns in the South has been noted by thousands of people, both historically and modern. I’m sure that most of you can say that when you think of a Southern Plantation or Mansion, the white Columned brick house comes to mind. This is what I am excited to discuss with you!

    The next time that you see a columned house, I don’t want you to think automatically that it is a “Greek Revival;” I want you to be able to break it down by façade before you find out about the individuals and families that lived there. I think that the story of the historic home is not just about the architecture, but why this particular look was chosen. I think that the soul of the home is from the people that lived there, and the events that happened within the walls as well as outside on the grounds. Fashion trends worked on houses, just as they worked on clothing and hairstyles. Passion, either for or against something forged itself on the structures too. Politics and love were other reasons for certain houses. 

 
































      This is what is so important. Remember that you love these homes, and others loved them before you. That is what makes them so appealing, I think. Houses are, and were, full of dreams, romance, politics, passion, love, hate, vengeance, insanity, war, peace, depravity, isolation, fear, loneliness, etc. Other points of reference are governmental and/or cultural influence. 














 

     These may or may not be of one’s own, either. Interestingly, these human emotions moved the formation of the homes’ interiors and exteriors. While there is no way to tell the entire story of a home within our short space here, I hope that by knowing a little bit more will entice you to continue your education at least a little.

I also hope that it will inspire you to visit house museums, get involved with your historical association, or just be able to understand just a little bit more than you do now. So, when you do see those columns, I want you to be able to see past the wood, concrete, brick, etc. and be able to commune with the home’s past.

Additional labels: real estate, housing, land, brokers, Realtors, Real Estate Agents, mortgages, investments, property, Greek revival, Roman Revival, Romanticism, Romantic Homes, House, American, Plantation,