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Saturday, June 25, 2016

A Visit to Swan House!

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There is a beautiful manor house near downtown Atlanta, straight out of a fairy tale.

Or maybe the Great Gatsby!

We had some time yesterday afternoon after the morning guild meeting with the East Cobb Quilters was over, and lunch had been consumed.

I had been given several options of things I might be interested in doing, but of all of the available choices, the one that hit me the most was to visit the historic Inman estate, named Swan House for the many swan motifs found in the house and on the property.

Loving history and especially historic homes the way that I do I jumped at the chance.

It was a beautiful day, yes hotter than hot, but not as humid as it could be by July/August and we could be INSIDE!


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There are vintage cars!

A visit to Swan House will have you stepping back into time and feeling part of a different era!

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The front “BACK” door!

The front of the house faces the rolling lawns and gardens, but we entered through this “back” door…where most visitors would have had they driven up to come visit the Inmans.

From Atlantahistorycenter.com:

Swan House, traditionally known as one of the most recognized and photographed landmarks in Atlanta, is an elegant, classically styled mansion built in 1928 for the Edward H. Inman family, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune.
The mansion, designed by famed Atlanta architect Philip Trammell Shutze, provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of this Atlanta family during the 1920s and 1930s. Explore the many rooms of this beautifully restored historic house and enjoy gardens, fountains, and breathtaking views  on the Swan House grounds.

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Pam and I on the grand stair case!


In each area you will find a docent dressed in period costume and assuming the role of either a family member, a family friend, or house staff.  they will interact with you and tell you the story of the house, of what it was like to live there, other well known people who had stayed there, what it was like for the Inman children, even play the piano with music of the time!  Give the video above a click and a listen.

We found that they had all kinds of clothing on display from the different eras of the house from the 1920s all the way through the 1960s. The house and grounds were acquired by the Atlanta Historical Society in 1966.

Always looking for the FUNNIEST thing in any museum, historical place, or antique mall, we spied this with great giggling:

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When you don’t want your toilet to look like a toilet -

Encase it in WICKER!! LOL!

I have put my photos of the house and the grounds in the slide show below. Enjoy!



Interesting facts:

This historical building served as the finish line of the 19th season of The Amazing Race.

It was also used to film some scenes in the 2013 film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and in its 2015 sequel, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2.

It appears in the opening sequence of the 1980 movie Little Darlings.

It was also to be used for "TCM Remembers 2014" on Turner Classic Movies.
 
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Swan house from the gardens.
 
So happy I got a chance to visit on such a beautiful day!
 
After a dinner of yummy Mexican food, it was back to the room for a bit of sewing time.  Not much.  I was pooped.  Early to bed, early to rise and I’m up for another workshop day with the East Cobb Quilters – this time around we are doing Crabapples from Adventures with Leaders & Enders!
 
I’ll be saying good bye to these friends this afternoon. After the workshop Moby and I are headed to Newnan where I’ll be spending the next few days with the Common Threads Quilters!
 
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Quiltville Quote of the Day!
 
Vintage quilt found in North Carolina.
Be a better YOU today than you were yesterday!
 
Have a great Saturday, everyone!


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15 comments:

  1. So fancy! Except for the kitchen which is so plain and utilitarian. Not even decorative tile as you might see in Tuscan farm kitchens. Thanks for the tour.

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  2. Oh thank you for sharing this visit to Swan House, it is beautiful. I loved the tile floors and staircases. Beauty from another time and place.

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  3. Love your quilt quote and especially the quilt. Just 9 patches up against nine patches and the same colors together. How freeing! We just need to let go and make quilts cause they will turn out beautiful!

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  4. Wonderful little trip to Swan House. Looks like you had it to yourselves. I really enjoyed your photos, and the piano music is charming. I have a nine patch top that looks like a sister to the one you posted. My late 99 year old grandmother made it in the late 1980s.

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  5. Anonymous1:20 PM EDT

    I'm reading The Great Gatsby right now, so your pictures really bring the book alive! I can see the story taking place in such a grand house. They don't make 'em like that these days! Love the addition of the period clothing to the rooms, and the music was wonderful. Thanks for sharing your tour!

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  6. Thank you for the beautiful tour of the Swan House and the gardens. It was wonderful and informative as always.

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  7. Thank you so much for your travel logs!!!! What a sumptuous house...can not even conceive living in it...amazing! The Foyer floor with the star would make a wonderful quilt pattern.
    Looking at the vintage auto - I am thinking Sadie Jane would totally enjoy cruising with you in this one. Open air for sure...
    Have fun, stay cool because Atlanta is smotheringly hot in the Summer!

    Smilies
    JulieinTN

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  8. Anonymous6:40 PM EDT

    I'm smelling a mystery quilt. Amirate?

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  9. Thank you for the delightful glimpse into this exquisite old home. I'm so thankful to see that it has been restored and maintained so beautifully these past 50 years. I also appreciate and can relate to today's quote. What a sweet 9-patch quilt used for the background. Thanks again, Bonnie! And safe travels!!!

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  10. The video wad wonderful.... I don't thunk anyone who knows you at all, was surprised at your choice of activities... Wishing you and Moby safe travels...

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  11. Do I see the 2017 Mystery quilt in the black and white floor inside the back door??? Looks perfect to me.

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  12. Really enjoyed your video! Thank You.

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  13. Thank you Bonnie for sharing this with us.
    Like you i love history. What a gorgeous place and gardens. Will remember this.
    Thanks so much fir sharing this with all THE information.
    Happy Quilting,
    Yoka Bazilewich

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  14. What a wonderful trip you must have had. I felt like I was touring Swan House with you. It wouldn't surprise me if you don't go and make a quilt like the floor of the back front door. Pretty neat!

    I want to be you when I grow up!

    Thanks for your uplifting and enjoyable emails.

    Loretta McGinn
    tlkids65ll@aol.com

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  15. Thank you for the pictures of Swan House. I was first heard about Swan House through a fictional work sent to me by my sister-in-law who lives in Atlanta. The title of the book is The Swan House (The Swan House Series #1) by Elizabeth Musser. I also got a copy of the sequel, "The Sweetest Thing" from the library.

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