December 10, 2014 Christmas at Callanwolde
Susan, Lori, Pat, Cheryl and Pam
Our trip to Callanwolde was a tie in to Untamed by Will Harlan, which connected Cumberland Island with the Coca Cola Candlers.
Callanwolde was originally the home of Charles Howard Candler, eldest son of Asa Candler, who succeeded his father as president and director of the family-founded Coca-Cola Company. It was named after Callen Castle in Ireland which was given to a Candler ancestor by the English crown in the 17th century. Built in the early 20th century (1917-1921), Callanwolde was designed by Henry Hornbostel of New York. Hornbostel also created the campus plan and several buildings for Emory University. From 1929 until his death in 1957, Charles Candler served as board chairman of Emory University.
The main foyer
We had a cozy dinner at Susan's before heading over to Callanwolde. There was a gala for attorneys going on in the other half of the mansion which created traffic and parking congestion but for the actual tour we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
The family breakfast room
The slightly creepy elves...
Pretty blue and white room
We were lucky to see a special exhibition of rare Santa advertisements from Coca Cola's collection (no photos allowed here)
We were a little underwhelmed by the designer decorated rooms overall (watering or replacing fresh greenery anyone?) but it was a fun night out and we enjoyed seeing the Candler home!
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October 9, 2010 - Alabama
We have managed a few field trips related (or not) to books we have read. October 9, 2010 - Loving Frank by Nancy Horan and the escapades of Frank and Mamah inspired our first "official" book club field trip: a long(!) day's drive to Florence, AL to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright house. After lunch
we crossed the Tennessee river and made a visit to Helen Keller's childhood home, Ivy Green, in Tuscumbia.
(which also happens to be part of Muscle Shoals, the music heart of the deep south)
The Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum home,
originally a private residence.
Florence, Alabama
The house sets rather humbly on a very quiet, charming residential street. The Rosenbaum house is like none of the other homes so we could fully understand the "shock value" of this FLW structure in the neighborhood.
The rear of the house, with its terrace and party-friendly back yard.
Cheryl, Pam, Susan
this side view (below) kind of resembles a ship, doesn't it....
The famous water pump which was the pivotal point of young Helen's "aha" moment...
Susan and Cheryl in front of Ivy Green
The secondary house where Helen lived with her teacher Annie Sullivan.
January 27, 2013 - Louis Zamperini at Peachtree Presbyterian Church
On a cold Sunday morning, six of our members made our way to church at Peachtree Presbyterian Church to hear Louis Zamperini speak about his experiences during WWII. We had read the Laura Hillenbrand book Unbroken last summer and we were fascinated by Louie's story of survival after being shot down during the war, surviving for months on a raft and eventually spending time as a POW.
At 96 years old, Louie traveled to Atlanta to speak of what happened during this period of his life. We were all charmed at the sight of him in his tennis shoes with his baseball cap on his knee sitting in front of the church with the minister and his son. There was very little need for questions as he told his story in great detail and perfect memory. We were all spellbound and sorry when the hour was over. It was an experience that cemented the book for all of us and that made Louie very real.
After church, Amy, Janna, Michelle, Mary Margaret, Emily and Susan enjoyed brunch at The Horseradish Grill in Buckhead along with Amy's cousin. We had a wonderful day!
All the pretty ladies gathered around for the Sunday brunch!
The Horseradish Grill
April 20, 2013 - Field Trip to Hills and Dales - LaGrange, GA
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| Pam, Lori, Susan and Cheryl in front of the mansion before our tour |
We travelled to LaGrange, GA on April 20 and arrived just as Hills and Dales was opening at 10 a.m. This is the home of the Callaway Family. In the 1800's, Sarah Ferrell and her family lived on the property in a farm house and Sarah tended the gardens which she designed to glorify God. She eventually met Fuller E. Callaway and based on their conversations and friendship, Sarah told Fuller she hoped he would one day own the property.
Fuller and his wife Ida Cason Callaway commissioned the up and coming Architect Neel Reid to design their home and the project was started in 1914, completed in 1916 and cost $125,000 to build. The house is beautifully designed and has 30 rooms and 13,000 square feet. We were amazed at the lovely rooms and touches such as marble baseboards. So much of the design and features were things we would think of a very progressive for that time. There was a bathroom for each bedroom, laundry shoots, a modern kitchen and many other conveniences. Eventually one of the Callaway sons, Fuller, Jr. and his wife Alice moved in and they lived in the home for 62 years.
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| Magnolia trees trained to grow around the windows on the garage |
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| Lori, Pam and Cheryl enjoying the gardens on a perfect Spring Day |
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| We started dreaming of holding a wedding right about now |
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Orchids in the Greenhouse |
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