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Thursday, July 21, 2016

Touring An 1840's Greek Revival House






 William Faulkner wrote, "The past is not dead. In fact, it's not even past." You get a good sense of that idea here at his grand former home, Rowan Oak.




For all the acclaim of his works, Faulkner is not an easy read. But writers hold a certain mystique and fascination for other writers, and we have visited quite a few homes of writers over the years.



I realize that a post like this feeds a very small stream of the Cabin & Cottage readership. But aside from the writer's pilgrimage, I just love peeking into old homes! Especially when they are preserved for all time from the long distant era of the occupant's life, as is this one. It certainly gave me a feel for the earlier south. And this lovely gem is open to the public year round in Oxford Mississippi.








I admit to a smaller appreciation of the formal rooms downstairs, even with the bookcases full of Faulkner's own collection of books and all of the antiques, paintings, portraits, and belongings. The living and dining rooms don't inspire me quite like the more personal spaces. But the kitchen remains as it was in the thirties, and I love that there are many phone numbers written right on the walls as far as you can reach next to the phone in the corner down here.



The place is full of memorabilia and displays like this landing on the upper floor.




I loved this little space opposite, overlooking the front entrance, and seeing the views through the old wavy glass. 



The spaces are lighter and brighter up here. Not what I would expect from such an old house. And the pretty old wallpapers are still intact.








Rooms of gracious old southern living.


















The grounds are no less captivating.




Easy to imagine other lives unfolding in the daily past of this grand old house.




Faulkner's childhood Mammy Callie's quarters are on the property. She lived here until she died. And her life was the one on whom many fictional characters were based in Faulkner's tales of the old south.








The graceful old outbuildings and barns are preserved as they were.








I loved this picturesque old barn and its features in back.

















Saying "so-long" along the cedar lined walkway of Rowan Oak, The William Faulkner House.

 Pretty dreamy.

"How often I have lain beneath rain on a strange roof, thinking of home."

--William Faulkner



I hope all is as lovely where you are!

Jacqueline






13 comments:

  1. This looks so similar to my Great Grandfather's home in KY. Outbuildings and all. The bedrooms look identical to the design and decor of his home built in 1897. It has been demolished in the last 5 years, but I spent many visits there and remember it like it was yesterday. The wall paper is very pretty in these bedrooms. Thanks for sharing your travels!

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  2. Thanks for the tour, I like going in old houses of history like that.
    The city I live in I am sure they have torn down several old historical homes.We have a younger city government group and guess no heart for the history of this city, Oh well

    Off my soap box back to the lovely old home. I do appreciate seeing this house since i'm sure I will not see it in person

    These old house are our history of how life was once

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  3. I love visiting these old homes. What a treat! I think I could even live in his Mammy's home. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  4. Our last trip to Mississippi we spent the night in Oxford and saw where he sat downtown and his favorite bookstore, but didn't know his house was still available to view. Thanks for the info and the tour. Really enjoyed it.

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  5. Like you, I love road trips and adore visiting old homes. In this house I was most taken by the gorgeous wallpapers. If I found them in a wallpaper book of today, I just might be tempted to buy some.

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  6. Love this home and how they preserved the simple time of decor and function. Love those old wallpapered rooms. Gorgeous. How fun Jacqueline to tour and get the feel of how Faulkner lived. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
    Kris

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  7. I love touring old homes and this one is a beauty. I love seeing the look as it was used. Thank you for sharing!

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  8. I very much enjoyed this lovely home. I'm rereading Roots and so I felt these pictures come to life. I'm so glad that you shared them. Thank you. xx Jo

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  9. Thanks, Jacq for the tour. I have never been to Mississippi, nor read W F -
    two things I should like to add to my bucket list.

    Glad you are seeing so many neat things - and appreciate your sharing of them with us. ♥

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  10. This is a lovely, gracious home and thank you for showing it to us! The windows, white woodwork and lovely wallpaper is wonderful. Beautiful grounds, too. It's always fascinating to see where someone so creative lived and found inspiration. x Karen

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  11. Jacqueline,
    My MoMa, with her Southern influence, l o v e d Victorian Homes!
    When I was 12 years old, we moved into one.
    I greatly dislike Summers and Winters in my second story bedroom,
    as we had no central air conditioning and no furnace vents to heat or cool the second floor!
    This home is absolutely lovely, dear friend!
    And, while like you, I adore touring. . .I wouldn't want to live in one unless it had modern convinces. However, setting under those trees on the lawn could, truly, be heavenly!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  12. So pleased that you toured Rowan Oak. Did you see where Faulkner outlined some of his books on the wall in his office as he wrote? The home is meticulously maintained by Ole Miss and is a literary gem for the world. I remember seeing William Faulkner sitting on the bench near the courthouse as a small child, much like his statue sitting there now.

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  13. Well, I don't know about the rest of your readers but this one gets me right where I live! Love all kinds of lovely houses and those that are packed with history all the more so. This is a gorgeous place, simply beautiful, and I can see why you were so taken with it. I am, too. (And by the way, any time you want to share a classic home like this, I'll be a happy girl!)

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