Cannonball House (Macon, Georgia)

The Cannonball House is located at 856 Mulberry Street in Macon, Georgia, United States and is a historically significant house with a story behind its name. On July 30, 1864, the house coined its name due to damage caused by a cannonball striking the house from a Union Army attack in the War between the states.[2] The Cannonball House was constructed originally as a planter's townhouse in 1853.[3] It was built by and for Judge Asa Holt.[4] This explains why this house is also known as the "Mansion of the Old South" and the "Home of Judge Asa Holt."[5] The house was built using an authentic Greek revival architectural style and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[6]

Cannonball House
Location856 Mulberry Street
Macon, Georgia
Coordinates32.84002°N 83.63220°W / 32.84002; -83.63220
Built1853
ArchitectUnknown
Architectural styleGreek Revival
NRHP reference No.71000249[1]
Added to NRHP1971
Cannon located in front of the Cannonball House
"Judge Asa Holt House" Sign in Front of the Cannonball House

The recreated meeting rooms of the Adelphean (ΑΔΠ) and Philomathean (ΦΜ) societies (the world's first college sororities established at Wesleyan College in 1851 and 1852, respectively) are on display inside the house. The entire house is furnished to the 1853-1870 period.[7]

The rear of the Cannonball House is occupied by a hand-molded two-story brick kitchen. The upper level of this house served as servants' quarters. Few structures of this type remain in the Southern United States today.[8] A bronze cannon, forged in 1864 at the Macon Arsenal, is on display in front of the Cannonball House.

History

The damage was done by the U.S. Army, under General George Stoneman, firing a cannonball from the location of what is now known as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, across the Ocmulgee River.[9] The Union's iron cannonball bounced into the front of the house's left middle column after first striking sand sidewalk. These events occurred during the Battle of Dunlap Hill on July 30, 1864. No one was killed, or even injured during this assault, but the cannonball finally ended in the interior hallway after passing through a parlor.[10] The Cannonball House is the only home in Macon that received damage.[11]

Due to failure to pay taxes, the city of Macon wanted to tear the home down and turn the site into a parking lot while descendants of the family were living in it in 1962. Thanks to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the house was purchased from the last family member living in the home, Miss Elizabeth Martin. They would make an apartment for her upstairs, and she was the first tour guide of the house.[12]

The Cannonball House was owned by Judge Asa Holt during the war and remained in the family until 1962 when it was sold to the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Current uses

Artifacts from the antebellum era through the reconstruction era play a major role in the Cannonball House's mission to glorify Georgia's heritage. Community members and visitors have the house's devotion of presenting them historical educational programs, exhibits, and events with the intention of engaging and inspiring them.[13] The Cannonball House currently holds a collection of Civil War artifacts and provides visitors with the opportunity to shop in the gift shop, explore the garden, and join historical and educational tours.[14] Currently, the house serves as a historic house museum that culturally and architecturally presents the past of Macon.[15] It is owned and operated by The Friends of the Cannonball House, a non-profit organization.

Collections

Historical pieces are held in the house today. Several collections that the house contains includes the Alpha Delta Pi (Adelphean), Phi Mu (Philomathean), Civil war, general museum, and the servant's quarters.[16]

Adelphean Collection

The Adelphean Society, today known as Alpha Delta Pi, is the first national collegiate women's society. This society's original furnishings are in the parlor today, along with the founders' portraits. The Adelphean Society's diamond symbol is an important part of the display in the room, as well.[17]

Philomathean Collection

Today known as Phi Mu, the Philomathean Collection in the house contains the founders' portraits, jewelry personalized with the Philomathean motto, original light fixtures, marble mantel, and a glass chandelier.[18]

Civil War Collection

The Civil War museum that is a part of the house displays Georgian officers' uniforms and their used weapons. Uniforms include the jacket of Richmond Depot Type II. Company flags can be found in this collection, such as the Jackson Artillery Flag.[19]

General Museum Collection

Textiles and period clothing are found and rotated in the general collection. Quilts handmade between 1850 through 1920, nineteenth century wedding dresses, original day dresses, and children's clothing all rotate in and out of display due to their fragility.[20]

Servant's Quarters

The Servant's Quarters' collection holds two beds, trunks, and spinning wheels. There are three tables and tea sets. More items include a wardrobe, straight chairs, a weasel, pie safe, grain bin, and bathtub.[21]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. "The Cannonball House | Macon, Georgia | Built in 1853 | National Register of Historic Places". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-11.
  3. "The Cannonball House | Learn The House's History". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  4. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (3/2/1934 - ) (2013–2017). Georgia SP Cannonball House. File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Georgia, 1/1/1964 - 12/31/2013.
  5. "Battle of Dunlap Hill - Macon, Georgia". www.exploresouthernhistory.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  6. "The Cannonball House | Learn The House's History". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  7. "The Cannonball House | Learn The House's History". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  8. "The Cannonball House | Learn The House's History". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  9. eds.a.ebscohost.com https://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/ebookviewer/ebook?sid=883fff61-1d62-4c24-9aae-303e0d43c773@sessionmgr4008&ppid=pp_116&vid=0&format=EB. Retrieved 2020-07-16. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. "Battle of Dunlap Hill - Macon, Georgia". www.exploresouthernhistory.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  11. "Macon". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  12. "The Cannonball House | Learn The House's History". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  13. "The Cannonball House | Learn The House's History". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  14. ""The American Civil War in Britain." In Essential Civil War Curriculum, Laurie Woodruff, ed". The SHAFR Guide Online. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  15. "Macon". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  16. "Collections". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  17. "Adelphean Collection". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  18. "Philomathean Collection". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  19. "Civil War Museum". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  20. "General Museum Collection". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  21. "Servant's Quarters". The Cannonball House. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
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