Southern Culture
Macon's 1842 inn: Living the life of true Southern Culture
by Ned Alma

One look at the 1842 Inn and you’ll swear you’ve stepped back into a scene from “Gone with the Wind,” where your only concerns for the day are where to sit on the massive verandah to enjoy one of Joanne’s special mint juleps or how to balance your time between the beautiful appointed guest rooms and the inviting public areas.

The Greek Revival antebellum house – built in 1842 by John Gresham – and the adjoining Victorian house are under the management of Nazario Filipponi, vice president and general manager of the getaway. One of the finest historic inns in the South, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was recently selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a member of Historic Hotels of America.

The owners have paid particular attention to detail and offer guests the finest service, including 24-hour concierge service, evening turndown service, in-room breakfast, daily newspaper, overnight shoeshine service, wake-up calls and voice mail phones with data ports, for those who insist on combining business with pleasure. Each of the 19 guest rooms has a charm all its own, and many of the suites include fireplaces, canopied four-poster beds and whirlpool tubs.

Gresham built the main house as a private home, which it remained until 1930, when it was modified into an apartment complex. Under ownership of the B.F. Adam family at the turn of the century, many modifications were made to the home, including changing the six-column front porch to the 18-columned spectacle you see today, which gives it that “Tara” look.

Among the beautiful appointments in the home are oak and walnut parquet flooring on the first floor and Victorian tile insets on the fireplaces. Upstairs in the original house guests will find the original pine flooring. The basic floor plan of four large rooms off a central hallway on each floor is classic Greek Revival architecture, typical of many antebellum homes in Macon.

Located in the main house are tastefully designed parlors and a library, all adorned with fine English antiques, oriental carpets, tapestries and paintings. A unique Carriage House magnificent Antebellum Mansion are available for seminars and staff retreats for up to 30 people. Evenings begin with complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and cash bar in the library. You’ll find just what you’d expect in southern hospitality, whether it’s the invitation to try an honest to goodness mint julep or the fresh-beked cookies and coffee offered to guests before they turn in each night. The fresh flowers in each room are another special touch, as is the attention to detail in every guest room.

Guests at the 1842 Inn are allowed the privilege of dining at the private City Club of Macon, where dining in the city is at its finest under the watchful eye of a young new chef just hired away from the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island. Privileges also include use of a private health club.

Beyond the courtyard is the Victorian circa 1900 building moved from Vineville Avenue in 1983 and placed in its present location in order to provide nine additional guest rooms for the inn. The house includes more than 4,000 square feet of living space, complimented by the palatial 12-foot ceilings.
The inn has attained a Four Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association of America and a Four Star Award from the Mobile Travel Association. Among its many honors, the inn was named one of the “top 10 most romantic inns in America,” and is listed as “one of the top ten inns in the South” by Southern Living magazine. Open 365 days a year, the 1842 Inn caters to special occasions, including weddings and other small events.

The two buildings share a quaint courtyard and garden, where guests can enjoy breakfast, weather permitting, or just relax. Speaking of breakfast, guests can choose from a number of items on the complimentary Continental breakfast menu, including English scones and cereals, of for a small fee, enjoy the individually prepared plantation casserole, a light soufflé’ of egg, bacon, and cheese seasoned with herbs. French toast du jour and a Southern breakfast of eggs, bacon, cheese grits and toast are also available.

Plans for future expansion at the 1842 Inn include a new laundry, dining space and additional guest rooms. Plans are also under way with local Italian eatery to co-host wine tasting evenings with fresh Italian fare.

Though you’ll be torn between wanting to spend every minute of your stay in Macon at the inn or venturing out to see the sights, the city does offer an array of things to see and do. Guests of the inn are located in Macon’s historic district and are a short walk or drive from distinctive attractions such as the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Tubman African American Museum, the historic Rose Hill Cemetery, Ingleside Village antiques, The Museum of Arts & Sciences, Ocmulgee National Monument and The Hay House, featured on A&E’s “American Castles.”

Though your 1842 Inn breakfast will satisfy your morning hunger, by afternoon you’ll no doubt be looking for a place to grab a bite to eat. Macon offers an array of restaurants from sandwich shops to the finest of dining.

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