The White House

by Rhoda on February 25, 2010

in Out'n'About

Thanks for all your very encouraging comments on the master bathroom tile project. I’m just tickled with it and was happy to share it with all of you too.
Picture 032

We have a White House right here in the Birmingham area of Westover.  Not that kind of White House, but an old historical home that is now used for wedding venues and other functions.  I found their official website, which states that the house was built as a residence back in the mid-1800′s and is a Southern plantation style home.  Picture 033

Isn’t it beautiful?  I just LOVE old homes and even though I don’t live in one, I certainly love to look at them up close and personal to see the charm they offer. Picture 034

So, I took the time to stop by here on sunny afternoon and took some pics that I just knew you’d enjoy seeing too.  Picture 035

Don’t you just LOVE these huge old Southern porches? I can just taste the sweet tea right now, sitting out here rockin’ in those rocking chairs and enjoying the cool breezes of a Southern spring.  Oh, honey chile!  Even though I really don’t like iced tea. I know, it’s a crime to be Southern and not like tea!  What in the world happened to me?

Picture 036

Anyway, I love this big old front porch. I’m sure it has stories to tell.

Picture 037

This house sits on a nice piece of acreage and I’m sure was once a stately home to a family that lived here, back before Hwy. 280 was paved and now whizzes past not very far away. Picture 038

This gnarly old tree has seen some years. Picture 039

This would sure make a nice setting for a wedding.  Picture 040

Perfect for pictures and a wedding reception. Picture 041

It is only open by appointment, so we had to peek in the front door from the porch, but I sure liked what I saw.  If you’d like to see more of the house, click on the link above and look at the Gallery pics.  Gorgeous pics!

Picture 043

If anyone is looking for a wedding venue, you might check this one out. Picture 044

It looks to be very nicely appointed and it sure is beautiful from the outside.

Old historical homes always catch my eye.  If you could live in an old home, would you?  I have always wanted to live in one, but it just seems like they would be a lot of trouble to maintain.

For those of you who live in older homes, is it worth it?  The maintenance to keep them in top shape?

Be Sociable, Share!

{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

1 jayne February 25, 2010 at 6:22 am

I live in an 1887 Queen Anne cottage located in a National Register Historic District and, while my home’s not in top shape (yet) by any means, I have to say it’s worth every bit of time and effort I’ve put into it so far!

Reply

2 Melinda February 25, 2010 at 6:37 am

Beautiful old home. Thanks for sharing. Love & blessings from NC!

Reply

3 Heidi Lambeth February 25, 2010 at 6:40 am

Oh I would love to have an older home. My mother-in-law once owned and old victorian that was built in 1894. I loved staying in that home. She turned it into a bed and breakfast for about 5 years before they sold out and moved to a lake community. It was so much fun staying summers with her and meeting all the people that came to stay with her. Such great memories.

Heidi

Reply

4 Jennifer February 25, 2010 at 6:40 am

Gorgeous home! I just adore old places like this. Audley & I have discussed many times purchasing one to turn into a bed & breakfast and be used for weddings. I would LOVE to do it, but with three kids at home it would be more work than we could handle. I think it is great some of these homes have been restored and preserved.

Thank you fore sharing!

Reply

5 Debbie February 25, 2010 at 7:34 am

A Grand old lady indeed! There’s something about old houses that you can just “feel” the history of them. In a new house you look at the living room and notice the decor. In an old house you look at the living room and start thinking of all the families that had Christmas there, etc. You just can’t help it.

Reply

6 Leighann Marquiss February 25, 2010 at 8:31 am

I love old homes! I can just see the ladies sitting on the front porch shelling peas. My, My! Thanks for sharing.

Reply

7 Heather February 25, 2010 at 9:01 am

they are beautiful, but I could never deal with the maintenance issues. Plus, I need those modern conveniences like oh, say, closets!!

Reply

8 Becky K. February 25, 2010 at 9:03 am

I loved your tilework! One of these days I will work up the nerve!

This building and grounds look absolutely lovely. Thanks for sharing about this White House.

Becky K.

Reply

9 Pam February 25, 2010 at 9:05 am

Beautiful place for having a wedding. Nice pics

Reply

10 Sharon February 25, 2010 at 9:30 am

What a great house. I have always wanted to live in an old house… such a connection to the past.

and that southern porch …. the best.

Reply

11 Shannon February 25, 2010 at 9:31 am

I love older homes. They have so much character even when they need a little tlc.

Reply

12 Melissa February 25, 2010 at 9:33 am

I found a beautiful white house this week in Burns, TN. I have begged my parents to buy it as they are looking for a house in TN this spring. I do not think they are going to cooperate one bit.

Reply

13 Bonnie February 25, 2010 at 10:44 am

Rhoda, thank you so much for stopping by to see our new bathroom. I was stunned and delighted to see Melissa had linked to it. She is amazing. I have not been by your blog until now but I sure will be back. What a great old house. I love it and especially the black porch floor. Very stricking.

Nice meeting you too!

Reply

14 Treasia February 25, 2010 at 12:43 pm

What a gorgeous old home she is! I adore that front porch. We live in a older home as well. Our home was built in 1930 and though not as old as this one it is still stately and full of character. I love our home but must admit it took me sometime to love it. The first couple of years I thought I would literally freeze to death in here till we got new insulation put in. Other than that and the old electrical it is not to bad. We just started the process of really getting into bringing her back to her full splendor but I am in love with her more each day.

Reply

15 Marty February 25, 2010 at 12:45 pm

Oh, this home is gorgeous. I always wanted an old home, but I havn’t ever had one either. That porch is fabulous. I just love big porches, but I don’t have one of those either. lol Well, we can all dream anyway. Hugs, Marty

Reply

16 grannyann February 25, 2010 at 1:24 pm

Mine is a 1930′s and yes I love the big bedrooms, dining area and all the rest.

Reply

17 Laura February 25, 2010 at 1:52 pm

Our home was built around 1865, and we bought it in 1998 for about $90,000! It is over 4000 sq ft and having 4 children, we need it! We love our home, and dream of winning the lottery so that one day we can do all the things we want to do that are way out of our budget. We affectionately call her “The Money Pit” because just when we think we are on the verge of getting something done, something leaks, falls in or dies! Our goal is to make it a showplace in time for our kids to marry here, so we have a little time!!

Reply

18 Julie Size February 25, 2010 at 2:07 pm

LOVE the details!!!

I started a new blog where stories will be published about the farm and the animals if you enjoy reading!
http://www.equusgirl.blogspot.com

Julie

Reply

19 Tracy@Comfort&Luxury February 25, 2010 at 2:47 pm

How beautiful. And what a wonderful backdrop for an event. I don’t know if I have it in me to keep up with an old house though. But I sure do appreciate the caretakers of such beauties… especially when they open them up for visits.

Reply

20 Slow South Style February 25, 2010 at 2:57 pm

My husband and i just purchased a 1929 camelback in uptown New Orleans about two weeks ago. We rented it for 5 years preKatrina and loved it so much that when we found out it was for sale we snatched it up! I love my original hardwood floors, mantles, and original exposed brick. There is something so comforting and exciting about owning a piece of history! The best part is the previous owners completely renovated it so all we had to do was move in.

Reply

21 black eyed susans kitchen February 25, 2010 at 4:04 pm

You are a wonderful tour guide! I love this old house…every now and then I see a house and think that I would really like to go inside to see more, and just as I thought that, you took us inside. Thanks.
♥, Susan

Reply

22 renee February 25, 2010 at 4:42 pm

I have enjoyed reading your blog for some time now. I love your decorating style. I also love old houses. Have you ever visited Old Waverly Mansion in West Point, Mississippi? If not, go to wpnet.org and click on attractions, then click on Waverly Mansion. To get there you travel down an old dirt(if I remember correctly) road and out of nowhere stand this grand old mansion. It really feels like you’ve stepped back in time. There is a tour guide also who shares many interesting facts about the house and the antiques in the house. It’s worth the trip!!!

Reply

23 Lisa February 25, 2010 at 7:46 pm

It’s beautiful! It reminds me a lot of the house used on “The Notebook” movie. It was just on the other day so it was fresh in my mind : )

Reply

24 Cindy S February 25, 2010 at 8:59 pm

What a beautiful house, I love old houses. My house was built in 1927, so it isn’t nearly as old as that one, but it is a dream come true. I adore old doors, old oak floors, huge woodwork and old black knobs. And I LOVE sweet tea!
Hugs, Cindy S

Reply

25 Angie February 25, 2010 at 11:55 pm

Old houses are my weakness…or you could call it obsession. Have you ever been to Charleston? It’s magical…like stepping back in time. Charleston has the second largest historic district in the WORLD…only other one larger is ROME! If I could live anywhere in the world it would be in the historic district of Charleston.

Reply

26 Oonafey @ Little Pink Houses February 26, 2010 at 3:55 pm

Our house is only 61 years old, but it was a single owner home. No updates. We are about 20 miles outside of downtown St. Louis, so 60 years ago that was the country. Our house is 3,000 sq. ft. and has two wall AC units. That’s it. Nothing has been updated and it would cost a boatload to update it right. I wish we had bought an updated home or a newer home. Summers are hell with no central air.

Reply

27 Sherry February 26, 2010 at 10:31 pm

This is a beautiful historic Home. For many years I traveled to Birmingham for business. I have always loved the historic southern homes.

Reply

28 Laura @ the shore house March 1, 2010 at 7:50 pm

Porch = stunning!

And yes; it is totally worth it. Even on the days when your house and its old lady falling apart-parts make you cry. :-)

Reply

29 Deborah March 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm

My home was built in 1880 and YES it is worth all the blood, sweat, tears and cash that goes into it. You never own an old house, it owns you. You are it’s caretaker and you will leave your mark on for the next caretaker to find.

Deborah

Reply

30 William Lawson June 15, 2010 at 10:54 am

Renee and those interested, here’s an information page about the Waverly Plantation Home / Mansion outside of Columbus, Mississippi:

http://www.stoppingpoints.com/mississippi/Lowndes/Waverley+%28S5%29.html

It is well worth seeing! Very well-restored/preserved. It’s one of the few octagonal antebellum homes around.

Reply

31 matt January 20, 2011 at 7:45 am

we just put a bid on a home like this. i asked for the antique furniture thats in the house. ( i think they belong together).
here’s a link to my facebook pics of it
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=713169776&aid=273942

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: