Whitehall Mansion: Elegant Inside and Out
From the first breath-taking sight of Whitehall Mansion, visitors know they're in for something special. However, it's not until they embark on the guided tour that they realize how special: Whitehall Mansion, its gardens and furnishings were donated to the public in 1994, and visitors are seeing the house virtually as it appeared for decades.
Unlike most historic homes, which are furnished with period pieces not original to the house, Whitehall in Louisville's Crescent Hill neighborhood is remarkably intact.
Built in 1855, the two-story brick home, originally in the Italianate style, began modestly, with just eight rooms: four on the first floor, four more upstairs. In 1909, John Middleton, a wealthy horseman and businessman, bought the antebellum mansion, and his wife, Betty Middleton, directed a thorough remodeling of Whitehall in the Greek Revival style, adding three wings, an impressive portico, Corinthian columns and a circular drive.
Whitehall, now 15 rooms on 10 acres, came into the Logan family in 1924. Son William Hume Logan Jr., a bachelor, bought the antebellum home from his father's estate in 1951 and lived in the house until he died at age 94 in 1992. You can see Mr. Logan's portrait hanging to this day in the home's Red Parlor. He left the house, gardens and many of the unique furnishings to the Historic Homes Foundation so that the public would always be welcome to enjoy this beautiful home. The home has been restored to show how it would have looked in 1909, just after the extensive remodeling was finished. Many of Whitehall's antiques date from the 1830s through 1870s. Whitehall was the Junior League's Historic Showhouse in 1994.
Public guided tours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment.
Naturally, Whitehall is a popular venue for weddings, receptions and corporate parties. Whitehall boasts 6,217 available square feet and can accommodate up to 200 guests inside for a buffet or cocktail party and 100 for a sit-down affair. Additional seating can be set up on the front and side porches.
HelloLouisville Tip: You can also rent the use of the spacious grounds. The Formal Garden makes an elegant backdrop for an outdoor wedding. The Garden Terrace has been the site of many receptions, both open-air and under a tent. Convenient outdoor restroom facilities, fully air-conditioned and heated, are included in the rental of grounds and gardens. The formal garden can seat up to 200, while the Garden Terrace can accommodate about 350 guests in an event with tents.
Posted on Feb 4, 2011 by Ivonne Rovira
