Destination: The Historic Tate House
The lovely pink marble Southern facade and staircase at Tate House Photos: Courtesy of The Historic Tate House
Author: Artsy Chow Roamer
DESTINATION
THE HISTORIC TATE HOUSE
I write frequently about exploring in my own backyard as people are always asking me for recommendations on who to see, what to eat and where to go. Most recently, a visiting British friend asked where to take her granddaughter for consideration on planning her wedding. After telling me what she had in mind, I recommended a tour of The Historic Tate House located just 45 minutes from Atlanta off Highway 53 at Georgia Marble Road.
My friend said she was familiar with it having passed by it on her way to visit me but didn’t really know what it was. I told her we were coming up on the 100th anniversary of the home and that they were building a beautiful English conservatory that would make it the perfect spot for her granddaughter’s wedding.
You might have noticed all the activity as the beautiful black metal frame began to climb slowly towards the sky. Having found the panels at a company called From Europe to You, the owner and general manager, Marsha Mann then turned to Big Canoe resident and architect, Gray Reese of Gray Reese, LLC to help put the 5,000 square foot building together and place it on the site with all the glass panels, chandeliers, sconces and furniture that will finish it off as a sort of “Tavern on the Green of Tate, Georgia”.
SOME HISTORY
The house was originally built by the Tate family after moving to the area from Lumpkin County, Georgia. Samuel Tate purchased the land in 1834, and his son Stephen began mining the rare pink marble known as Etowah that would put Tate on the map. It would be the choice of stone for the facade and would make it forever known as the Pink Palace after it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This will give you a little tour
Stephen’s eldest of 19 children, Colonel Samuel Tate, began the construction in 1921, finishing in 1926 and moved in with two of his unmarried siblings. Sam, Luke and Florentine lived in three of the four bedrooms upstairs entertaining friends and family throughout until Sam’s death in 1938, Luke’s in 1955 and Flora went into hospital care. The house remained unused and neglected until 1974.
It was then discovered by Ann Laird of Arizona who purchased it and began the restoration project that would bring some of the shine back to the property. In 2001, the estate was purchased by Holbrook Properties, LP. Lois Holbrook and her daughter, Marsha Mann continued the restoration of the gardens and mansion to bring the property to where it is today.
THE BUILDING & GROUNDS
Designed in the second renaissance revival style, the venue is an example of both English and Italian classic detailing with each side of the house offering a different entrance and design. The front is very Southern with two story columns and staircase down to walking paths in the garden. The right is typically English with portico, fountain and roundabout. The left styles as Mediteranean overlooking arbors and statues while the back is an Italian piazza overlooking a small lake.
The gardens feature centuries old oak, pecan and black walnut trees and invite leisurely strolls on walks laid out between rows of carefully manicured plantings, shrubs, blooming crepe myrtles, six flowing fountains and picturesque views. Those views are panoramic around the entire property with mountains in the background set off by thoughtful landscaping details from the arbors separated by hedges of shrubs to the lush heirloom rose bushes and white hydrangea dropped in for drama amidst the buzz of nature and quiet bell tolls from the church next door.
The elegant interiors keep to the original stylings of the Great Gatsby era
One of my favorite spots on the grounds is what’s left of The Spirit Tree; one of those oaks brought down by a storm in 2017. The landscapers broke five blades, trimming off all the limbs leaving the body of the massive tree where it fell due to a form of concrete it was filled with as an arborist’s attempt to save it back in the day. It has now started to grow beautiful moss and ivy looking like a fantasy prehistoric creature and will soon be alive with 10,000 new jonquil bulbs in the future. It is still the spot for camera bugs to style stunning wedding pictures.
tHE INTERIORS
The mansion’s interiors are kept true to the original style reminiscent of the Great Gatsby era of the roaring twenties. The floors are striking black and white marble, and all the rooms are painted in historically correct colors. The breakfast room presently overlooks the front gardens and terrace and is where the new conservatory will connect with the existing house as a new cocktail and “dancing under the stars” facility.
An elegant winding stairway is open to the second story ceiling with a lovely mural on the walls and a player piano. The dining, living, library and parlor all open on to this beautiful grand foyer which leads to the Jewel Guest Room and the three bedrooms of Sam, Flora and Luke. While the downstairs can be toured for weddings, the bedrooms are on offer at Christmas only.
The facility offers three sites as ceremony choices: the garden, the covered pavilion and the piazza each offering its own elegant ambiance. In all there are 19,000 square feet including a 4,000 square foot ballroom, speakeasy bar and now the new conservatory providing ample space for any wedding you might plan.
THE BRIDAL & gROOM cOTTAGES
Cute little cottages have been constructed along the black iron and masonry fencing to the rear of the property. They provide the wedding party comfortable places to relax and get ready for the big event. Chairs, lighting and mirrors offer the glamour team the best setting for make-up and hair for the bridal party while bedrooms are suitable for getting dressed in formal wear before photography.
The grooms party can play a little poker or snooker game while sipping a little brandy with cigars. You can chill in the living room with fireplace and the kitchens can provide a spot for catering if the couple wants to share with friends and family or plan a day of spa services.
WEDDING SERVICES
Tate House is proud to offer three differently priced wedding packages with a variety of items and services included. The Magnolia, The Georgia Peach and The Southern Classic in ascending order of cost provide for the first 100 guests and your choice of items included on timing of use, menus and services. You will get your own wedding planner with the Tate team to help you achieve your dream event utilizing their flower and decor services. They also have and an excellent established vendors list so you can pick your photographer, videographer, make-up, hair, limousine services, invitations, music providers and more.
WHERE TO STAY
The venue works with many property managers offering a variety of accommodations including luxury rentals, hotels and mountain cabins. An example highlighted on their website is a gem of a French cottage rental in Ballground or a cute little mountain rental in Big Canoe in Marble Hill. There are also two nice boutique hotel properties in the Woodbridge Inn & Tavern and Bent Tree Lodge & Winery.
CHRISTMAS TOURS
Known for its well-attended Christmas tours that usually see 7 to 10,000 visitors annually through the beautifully decorated house, Tate will also offer Royal tea on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays for three seatings at 2:00, 2:15 and 2:30. Reservations can be done on the website. More information will also become available as plans are firmed up for more events. A 6,000 square foot pop-up shop will have wonderful options in Tate House swag, gifts, jewelry, apparel and holiday decor.
The grand foyer gets elegant decorations at Christmas for tours
Christmas events are not to be missed
CONCLUSION
The beautiful and romantic setting of the house creates the perfect backdrop for a classic Southern wedding which has only been enhanced with the elegant conservatory. While hundreds of events have been planned and executed in the past, many more will happen in the future with that lovely addition proving the capable team at The Tate House can create any fantasy wedding you can dream up. I do indeed!
If you enjoyed what you read you might also like other posts from Explore the World. Look for my next post on an artsy adventure you might like! Until then…
Cheers!
ArtsyChowRoamer
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