The Church-Waddel-Brumby House Museum

The Church-Waddel-Brumby House is believed to be the oldest residence in Athens, GA. The House was moved to its current location in 1967 after a group of citizens united to save the House from demolition. The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation was formed by these same citizens who had successfully saved the House. The House has been restored to its 1820-1829 time period when Franklin College (University of Georgia) President, Moses Waddel, lived in the House.

Rooms and Furnishings

Front Entry

This area functioned as the passage between rooms. The hand painted canvas found in this area is a Star and Laurel pattern. The patterned wallpaper design is called Plymouth Ashlar and this design was manufactured in Boston, Massachusetts.

Both the hand painted canvas flooring and block patterned wallpaper were frequently used in areas of the home with high traffic. The canvas flooring protected the wood floor from wearing down and the block patterned wallpaper was easy to replace when it became dirty.

Faux bois treatments to the wood can be found on the hall-facing side of the front door, the trim around the transom and sidelights. The pew against the side of the staircase is on loan from First Presbyterian Church.

Dining Room

This dining area exemplifies the details of a Federal Style home. The wallpaper design is Circle Ornament, originally manufactured in Hartford, Connecticut. The ceiling is painted Prussian Blue. The wainscoting and the fireplace mantel are painted Federal Blue. Note the Girandole Mirror found between the windows. The mirror contains many symbols of the Federal Period, including an eagle representing freedom, a ball and chain representing breaking free of tyranny, and pineapples representing hospitality and welcoming.

Parlor

This area served as a multi-functional space, so much so that furniture was often set upon small wheels for easy mobility. The wallpaper design is the Virchaux Drapery pattern and was manufactured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The carpet is wool that has been handwoven with an antique loom and installed as it would have been in the period. Please note the busy and repeating patterns. This style was inspired by the newly invented kaleidoscope and was fashionable décor in the early 19th century.

Best Bedroom

This room was designated the Best Bedroom because of its ornate fireplace mantel. The carpet is wool and hand woven in 36-inch-wide strips by an antique loom of the period. Like the carpet found on the main level, the carpet in the best bedroom has also been installed as it would have been in the early nineteenth century. The room holds a spinning wheel and a poster bed that was originally a rope bed.

Children’s Bedroom

The Children’s bedroom would have been shared by the three Waddel children who lived in the home during the early nineteenth century. A linen press, which is the large piece of furniture against the wall, is featured in this room. Additionally, this room contains a Windsor rocking chair, a crib, and a fireplace fender used to deter the children from getting close to the fire.

Study

While the original study was approximately in the location of the current day visitor infdormation room, this space is a simplified interpretation of a study that could have been used by Dr. Waddel.