Hills and Dales Estate, “A Historic Property of Fuller E. Callaway Foundation,” in LaGrange, GA is an amazing place to visit any time of the year, but at Christmas time, the immaculate house and grounds take on an extra magic. David Brown and his team create all of the arrangements out of live greenery and plants in an effort to showcase the home as it would have looked when Fuller Callaway Jr. and his wife Alice Hand Callaway decorated it.
Hills and Dales encompasses Ferrell Gardens, property originally owned by Sarah Ferrell, and the home designed by Neel Reid and architect Hal Hentz which sits on 35 acres. Sarah Ferrell spent 61 years (1841-1901) ambitiously developing her garden, even incorporating a small garden plot that her own mother had begun in 1832. The Callaway mansion was completed in June of 1916, just in time for the original owners, Fuller and Ida Cason Callaway, to celebrate their 25th anniversary. There are 30 rooms in the 3-story mansion, and the greenhouse and walkways through the gardens are designed to have plants in bloom every month of the year. July through February visitors may tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. March through June the hours are extended — Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Visitors Center has a beautiful gift shop, and guests can enjoy an introductory video to give an overview and history of the grounds. A tram is available to take you up the hill to the mansion.
Here are some photos made recently of several rooms bedecked for the holidays.
I highly recommend a visit to LaGrange, GA. Stay tuned for more blogs about other attractions plus some great accommodations and restaurants.
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