The next stop on the Historic Southern Homes tour is Swan House in Atlanta, GA. Behind the iron gate, this 28-acre estate was built in 1928 by architect Philip Trammell Shutze. The house was originally built for a family that had made their money in cotton, among other investments, but was bought by the Atlanta Historical Society in 1966.  As if this ginormous house left something to be desired, you can also find lavish gardens on the property, full of fountains, pools, terraces, and rose gardens.

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Are you enjoying the Historic Southern Homes series as much as I am? My wanderlust is at an all-time high, and this next estate is certainly not helping!

Today let’s travel to the always-gorgeous Charleston, SC to visit the Isaac Jenkins Mikell House.  Built in 1853, this antebellum Greek Revival has withstood the test of time and has become a landmark in this historic city. In between private owners in the mid-1900s, the estate served as the Charleston Free Library. The front looks more like a museum you might find in Washington, DC than a residence. The interior, under the direction of owner Patricia Altschul, is nothing short of pristine. Each photo makes my heart skip a beat…I think the Isaac Jenkins Mikell House just moved to the top of my bucket list!

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Next up in our Historic Southern Homes series is the Houmas House Plantation in Darrow, Louisiana, also dubbed “The Sugar Palace.”

Just an hour outside of New Orleans, this Greek Revival house sits on 38 acres and has 16 rooms full of period antiques. The name of the house comes from the Houmas Indian Tribe, who were the original owners of the property. Since the house was constructed in 1840, the plantation has a long storied history, and has even been known to reveal a ghost or two. Today you can tour the house and gardens, dine in the restaurant on site, rent the venue for weddings, and even stay at the inn located on the property.

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Today I’m kicking off a new series on the blog, Historic Southern Homes, because who doesn’t love virtual tours of old Southern homes?!

I’m starting with Nottoway Plantation, located in White Castle, Louisiana.  Nottoway is the South’s largest remaining antebellum plantation, and now serves as a resort with 40 guest rooms, a restaurant, 2 ballrooms, and several other amenities. The mansion has over 53,000 square feet of living space to keep you busy during your visit.

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