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The Splendor of Hills and Dales Estate
THE SPLENDOR OF HILLS & DALes estate
Story By Ann Cipperly Photos Contributed By Hills & Dales Estate
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Celebrating its 180th anniversary this year, Hills & Dales Estate in LaGrange, Georgia, is one of the most widely acclaimed gardens in the southeast, with its roots stretching back to 1832. Surrounding a stately Italianate mansion, the gardens’ storied past includes being nurtured over the decades by four women, one of them, Ida Cason Callaway, whose son founded Callaway Gardens.
While the gardens are stunning most of the year, the fall months provide a slower pace to view and study unique plants, as trees gleam in fall foliage. Visitors can stroll the well-trodden paths set among fountains and classical statuary or attend a workshop and tour the mansion to learn the history behind one of America’s famous families.
Shortly after land opened for settlers in 1832, Nancy Coleman Ferrell planted a small formal garden near her home, which later became one of the gardens at Hills & Dales. Nancy’s daughter, Sarah Coleman Ferrell, inherited the land in 1841 and began expanding the garden. Between 1841 and 1903, Sarah planted thousands of boxwoods. Situated on rolling hills, the gardens Sarah developed incorporated retaining walls constructed of native stone, and a series of six terraces featured formal boxwood gardens. Ferrell rooted boxwoods and planted seeds for magnolia trees, while rare plants were ordered.
By 1860, the gardens were among the finest in the southeast. Known locally as Ferrell Gardens, the site reflected Sarah’s strong religious beliefs sculpted in the boxwood parterres with the double outlined word “God” in boxwood. Other symbols include “God Is Love”, the grapes of Canaan and a harp.
Sarah had an appreciation for her family and life. In 1903, Sarah and her husband, Judge Blount Ferrell, celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in the gardens with extended family.
As the gardens grew, so did the visitors. A young Fuller E. Callaway was one of those visitors who strolled through the boxwoods and gardens. As Fuller became a successful businessman, he continued to visit the gardens. After the Ferrells passed away, Fuller and his wife, Ida Cason Callaway, purchased the property in 1911.
Ida nurtured the boxwood paths and expanded the gardens, adding mottos of “St. Callaway” and “Ora Pro Mi”.
The Callaways tore down the Ferrells house and donated the materials to the LaGrange community. Fuller commissioned Hentz & Reid of Atlanta to design the mansion, which was
built on the site of the former cottage, nestled steps away from the garden.
Reminiscent of an Italian villa, the mansion was completed in 1916 with excellent craftsmanship. The estate has been called “A Landmark of the American Renaissance.” Ida selected the name “Hills & Dales” for the four-acre garden because of the “sunny hills and shady dales”.
On the 100th anniversary of Ferrell Gardens, April 17, 1932, Ida invited 165 members of the Garden Club of America to a buffet luncheon. Like Sarah, Ida often filled the house with extended family.
One of the Callaways’ sons, Cason, founded Callaway Gardens, which was originally named for Ida. He also named the garden’s chapel in honor of his mother.
When Alice Hand’s sister, Virginia, married Cason, she became a frequent visitor to the gardens. Alice later married Cason’s brother, Fuller Jr., After Ida’s death in 1936, Alice and Fuller Jr. with their two small children moved into the estate.
She accepted the role to oversee Hills & Dales Estate and refined and expanded the garden with loving attention over the next 62 years. She commissioned a curved sofa in the identical shape as the stone bench in the sunken garden where she sat with Fuller. The sofa is still in the living room of the mansion.
Alice desired to preserve the estate for the enjoyment of generations. Following her death in 1998, the house and 35 acres were bequeathed to the Fuller E. Callaway Foundation. A multi-million dollar visitors’ center was built, and the Hills &Dales Estate opened to the public on Alice’s birthday, Oct. 2, 2004. Visitors can tour the gardens and the house furnished with family heirlooms and antiques.
While many gardens did not survive the destruction of the Civil War or the vagaries of weather, the continuity of the garden is exceptional. Ninety percent of Ferrell’s garden is intact. Hills & Dales has endured as one of the most splendid gardens in America.
Specialty tours of the home are offered, including an art tour, a behind-the-scenes tour and holiday tours.
Upcoming workshops include: Doing the Rot Thing (composting workshop), Adult Gingerbread House Workshop and wreath making.
Other events include Step into Nature: Guided Tree Walk, 10th Annual Stories in the Garden and the annual lecture with Parker Andes, Biltmore’s director of horticulture.
During Veterans Week, Nov. 9 to 13, there will be complimentary admission to home and gardens.
Hills & Dales Estate is open year-round. The estate is closed Mondays and on major holidays. Tickets are $20 for adults for the house-and-garden tour, $10 for the garden-only tour and $8 for students. For additional information call 706882-3242. Visit the website at www.hillsanddales.org.
There is a lot of dining near Hills & Dales. The Taste of Lemon Restaurant has been located in a historic converted church since 1982. Taste of Lemon is open for lunch Monday through Friday. The restaurant serves southern dishes. Check the menu on the Facebook page.
Taste of Lemon is located at 204 Morgan St., LaGrange. For additional information call 706882-5382.
The Cart Barn Grill is a casual restaurant open for lunch and dinner. The original owner was head chef at the former In Clover restaurant. The business is now operated by his son.
The lunch menu offers burgers, sandwiches and salads. Be sure to try the In Clover’s recipe for green goddess dressing.
The Cart Barn Grill is located at 625 Jefferson St. and is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner Tuesday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. For further information, call 706-884-3362.
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