SWAN HOUSE | ATLANTA

SWAN HOUSE | ATLANTA

SWAN HOUSE | ATLANTA by Norma Poindexter

Starring in popular culture, The Edward Inman “Swan House” in Atlanta, Georgia has already been beholden by millions of people. Appearing in two Hunger Games movies, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2, the Swan House mansion also acted in the opening sequence of Little Darlings (1980), in Amazing Race’s 19 th season, in CW’s soap opera series Dynasty, and in the introduction to Turner Classic Movies. As the former residence of Edward and Emily Inman, the stunning Swan House stands in the 33-acre Southern cultural experience at the Atlanta History Center, featuring the mansion, award-winning exhibitions and educational programs, the renowned Swan Coach House (the original coach house for the Swan House) with its charming Southern restaurant, a popular Southern art gallery, magnificent event spaces, extensive award-winning historic collections, restored historic houses, the enchanting Southeastern horticultural Goizueta Gardens, and the Keenan Research Center with endless information on the South. Atlanta History Center purchased the Swan House and its contents in 1966 with all of its 18th century antiques and 20th century art objects, and now it serves as a museum for the Center.

Inheriting their money from a cotton fortune, the Inmans used their money to rebuild Atlanta after the Civil War. The Swan House, their masterpiece residential home in Buckhead completed in 1928 after 3 years, was named after Emily Inman’s affinity for swans, which she delightedly designed as swan motifs throughout the interior. Dripping in Southern culture, The Swan House, on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, represents Renaissance Revival created by Phillip Shutze, Atlanta’s best-known architect. The style is an eclectic mix of architectural styles, primarily Italian Classicism and English Classicism shepherded by Inigo Jones in the 17 th century. This striking, grand mansion stands majestically on a hill introduced by stunning outdoors architected finery: a gorgeous staircase with a dramatic centerpiece, the cascading fountain, opening on to the immaculately terraced front lawns. Feeling like an Italian villa, this breathtaking former residence is populated by exquisite Italian Renaissance gardens bordered with Italian walls, obelisks, and ornate fountains also designed by Shutze.

To support the operations of all of these magnificent icons of Southern culture and the Atlanta History Center’s award-winning educational program, the Atlanta History Center holds the annual Swan House Ball fundraiser. This year the 35 th Swan House Ball honors the Atlanta philanthropist and community leader, Lovette Twyman Russell, on October 22. Business, community and social leaders come together to experience and celebrate all things gloriously Southern in a truly iconic home, the legendary Swan House.

You can also temporarily make the Swan House your own for a couple of hours, and arrange fascinating private tours of the fabulous Swan House. Surely, the Inman’s would have been delighted for your visit.

DETAILS
Swan House | 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 | +1.404.814.4000
Photos Courtesy of Atlanta History Center

Back to blog