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'''Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens''' is a mansion built by [[Stephen Hall]] and greatly enlarged, in the Greek Revival style, for Judge [[William S. Mudd]]. Mudd went on to join with the [[Elyton Land Company]] in the founding of [[Birmingham]] in [[1871]]. The house, which formerly commanded hundreds of acres, is currently located on a 6-acre lot at 331 [[Cotton Avenue Southwest]] in the [[Arlington-West End]] neighborhood of [[Birmingham]].
[[Image:Arlington Antebellum Home.jpg|right|thumb|475px|Arlington Home, photographed April 2005 by Natalie Hummel]]
'''Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens''' is a mansion built by Judge [[William S. Mudd]], who went on to join with the [[Elyton Land Company]] in the founding of [[Birmingham]] in [[1871]]. The house, which formerly commanded hundreds of acres, is currently located on a 6-acre lot at 331 [[Cotton Avenue Southwest]] in the [[Arlington-West End]] neighborhood of [[Birmingham]].


Hall, a trustee of the [[Jefferson Academy]], built a four-room, two story farmhouse on 475 acres in the corporate limits of [[Elyton]] which he had purchased in [[1822]] from [[William O. Tarrant]] and [[John Burford, Sr]]. A blacksmith's shop was also built on the property. At his death, the property was inherited by his son, [[Samuel W. Hall|Samuel]], who depleted his wealth, forcing the sale of the house and grounds at auction in [[1842]].
Owned by the City of Birmingham, Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens serves as a historical interpretive museum and reception hall. The property is managed by a staff overseen by the [[Arlington Historical Association]]'s board of directors. The executive director is [[Toby Richards]].


Mudd bought the estate at auction and, with the help of his slaves, enlarged the four-room house into a grand eight-room mansion with a two-story gallery supported by six square columns. The addition extended the existing house eastward by building onto the front of the farmhouse and turning the front entry to the north. A shallow hipped roof was built over the resulting two-story rectangular mansion. Two chimneys were added on the east end, mirroring the two on the west and providing a hearth for each chamber. The finished house was dubbed "Arlington" by Mudd, presumably a reference to the estate in Virginia where Colonel Robert E. Lee, a hero of the Mexican War, made his home.
==History==
The 475-acre property was purchased in [[1822]] from [[William O. Tarrant]] and [[John Burford Sr]] by [[Stephen Hall]], a trustee of the [[Jefferson Academy]]. Hall erected a [[Stephen Hall residence|log house]] on the knoll, along with various outbuildings, including a blacksmith's shop. Over time he enlarged the home to two stories with four main rooms. At his death, the property was inherited by his son, [[Samuel W. Hall|Samuel]], who depleted his wealth, forcing the sale of the house and grounds.


From [[1843]] to [[1848]], Mudd served in the Alabama legislature. In [[1856]] he was elected Circuit Judge, a position he held until his health forced retirement in [[1883]].
Mudd bought the estate at auction in [[1842]]. In [[1846]] he married [[Florence Mudd|Florence Earle]] and began building a larger home in place of Hall's, which he called '''The Grove''' for the numerous old hardwoods surrounding the house site. With the labor of his slaves alongside contracted builders, Mudd had the house expanded into a grand eight-room mansion in the Greek Revival style. The shallow hipped roof projected over a double-height gallery, with its cornice supported on six square columns. Four brick chimneys provided a hearth for each chamber, which the Mudd's filled with 10 children.
 
From [[1843]] to [[1848]], Mudd served in the Alabama legislature. In [[1856]] he was elected Circuit Judge, a position he held until his health forced retirement in [[1883]]. In the [[1860]] census, Mudd reported housing 14 enslaved persons at The Grove.


During [[Wilson's Raid]] in the Spring of [[1865]], the house was commandeered as a temporary headquarters for General [[James H. Wilson]] and his staff. While there, Wilson made plans for General [[John T. Croxton]] to lead a detached brigade to [[Tuscaloosa]] to burn the [[University of Alabama]], which had trained cadets for the Confederacy and was operating a hospital for soldiers. Wilson's use of the home helped spare it from destruction.
During [[Wilson's Raid]] in the Spring of [[1865]], the house was commandeered as a temporary headquarters for General [[James H. Wilson]] and his staff. While there, Wilson made plans for General [[John T. Croxton]] to lead a detached brigade to [[Tuscaloosa]] to burn the [[University of Alabama]], which had trained cadets for the Confederacy and was operating a hospital for soldiers. Wilson's use of the home helped spare it from destruction.


When Mudd died in [[1884]], the house was sold to [[Henry Debardeleben]], who never moved in. Instead, he sold it to [[F. H. Whitney]], who converted it for use as a boarding house. It served that function until it was purchased in [[1902]] by [[Robert S. Munger]], owner of [[Continental Gin Company]] which manufactured cotton gins in [[Avondale]]. It remained in the Munger family until [[1953]], when it was purchased from [[Alex C. Montgomery|Alex C.]] and [[Ruby Munger Montgomery]] for $53,000 by the City of Birmingham in to be furnished as a historical monument. The house was restored by the [[Arlington Historical Association]] and soon became one of the signature landmarks for visitors to Birmingham.
When Mudd died in [[1884]], Colonel [[Henry Debardeleben]] purchased the house as an investment. He never lived there, and soon sold it to Franklin H. Whitney of Cass County, Iowa, who converted it for use as a boarding house and subdivided some of the property into lots for sale. The house was purchased in [[1902]] by [[Robert Munger]], owner of [[Continental Gin Company]] which manufactured cotton gins in [[Avondale]]. It was Munger who dubbed it "Arlington", a reference to the estate of Robert E. Lee in Virginia. He continued to divide the former plantation to provide houses for his children as they married. Munger died in [[1923]] leaving the main house to his daughter, [[Ruby Montgomery|Ruby]] and her husband, [[Alex Montgomery]]. They resided there for nearly three decades, putting the property up for sale in [[1952]].
 
Members of the [[Elyton-West End-Powderly Civic Club]], led by [[Fred Melof]], rallied numerous civic organization to petition Birmingham's Department of Parks and Recreation to purchase the house as a Confederate memorial and museum. Mayor [[Cooper Green]] and commissioner [[Jimmy Morgan]] supported their efforts, but declined to commit funds from the city budget. A steering committee headed by [[Morgan Smith]] began raising money to make the purchase, which was completed in [[1953]] for $53,000. The house was restored and furnished by the Arlington Historical Association and soon became one of the signature landmarks for visitors to Birmingham.


Tours of the home are available on Tuesdays through Sundays, and the restored tea-room can be reserved for private parties. The rooms are furnished with antiques from the Antebellum period, many of them original to the house. The home also displays a notable collection of 19th century decorative arts and paintings.
Tours of the home are available on Tuesdays through Sundays, and the restored tea-room can be reserved for private parties. The rooms are furnished with antiques from the Antebellum period, many of them original to the house. The home also displays a notable collection of 19th century decorative arts and paintings.
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The house serves also as a decorative arts museum, featuring a collection of 19th-century furniture, textiles, silver, and paintings. Arlington has gardens and a restored garden room named the Tea Room that is used for private and club events such as weddings, meetings, and food-service events.
The house serves also as a decorative arts museum, featuring a collection of 19th-century furniture, textiles, silver, and paintings. Arlington has gardens and a restored garden room named the Tea Room that is used for private and club events such as weddings, meetings, and food-service events.


The site was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in [[1970]]. The ashes of former mayor [[George Siebels]], who died in [[1975]], are interred at Arlington.
The site was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in [[1970]]. The ashes of former mayor [[George Seibels]], who died in [[2000]], are interred at Arlington.
 
In [[2008]] the exterior of the house was repaired and repainted. Visitors' restrooms were enlarged to accommodate the disabled and ramps were constructed to improve wheelchair access to the restaurant, gift shop and museum. Additional work planned for [[2009]] included opening the restaurant up toward the formal garden and renovating its interior.
 
From [[1969]] to [[2019]] the "[[Birmingham Belles]]" staged a debutante party at the mansion, dressed in hoop-skirted antebellum-style gowns. Newer events celebrate the property's African-American heritage, including "Soul Food Saturdays" and events for Black sorority groups.
 
In [[2021]] the [[Anne Cabaniss Charitable Trust]] donated $145,000 toward the preservation of the home and gardens.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Arlington snow postcard.jpg|exterior in snow
File:Arlington hall.jpg|entrance and stair hall
File:Arlington parlor.jpg|parlor
File:Arlington bedroom.jpg|a bedroom
File:Arlington bedroom PC.jpg|a bedroom
File:Arlington 2nd bedroom.jpg|a bedroom
File:Arlington pine suite.jpg|a bedroom
File:1966 Arlington ad.jpg|1966 advertisement for Arlington
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Arlington%20(6-52).jpg Arlington up for sale— Purchase of landmark for shrine urged]" (June 1952) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/Arlington%20%2807-52%29.jpg 'Buy Arlington' citizen fund drive opens]" (July 1952) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* Satterfield, Carolyn Green (1976) ''Historic Sites of Jefferson County, Alabama''. Birmingham: Jefferson County Historical Commission., p. 49
* Satterfield, Carolyn Green (1976) ''Historic Sites of Jefferson County, Alabama''. Birmingham: Jefferson County Historical Commission., p. 49
* Jaffe, Dana (December 15, 2008) "Birmingham antebellum Arlington house and museum gets makeover." {{BN}}
* Garrison, Greg (December 22, 2021) "Christmas at Arlington: Birmingham’s antebellum home seeks its future." {{BN}}


==External link==
==External link==
* [http://www.informationbirmingham.com/arlington/index.htm Arlington page] at InformationBirmingham.com
* [http://www.informationbirmingham.com/arlington/index.htm Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens] at InformationBirmingham.com


[[Category:Arlington-West End neighborhood]]
[[Category:Arlington-West End neighborhood]]
[[Category:1822 buildings]]
[[Category:1822 buildings]]
[[Category:1840s buildings]]
[[Category:1846 buildings]]
[[Category:Elyton houses]]
[[Category:Farms]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions]]
[[Category:History museums]]
[[Category:History museums]]

Latest revision as of 10:01, 9 August 2022

Arlington Home, photographed April 2005 by Natalie Hummel

Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens is a mansion built by Judge William S. Mudd, who went on to join with the Elyton Land Company in the founding of Birmingham in 1871. The house, which formerly commanded hundreds of acres, is currently located on a 6-acre lot at 331 Cotton Avenue Southwest in the Arlington-West End neighborhood of Birmingham.

Owned by the City of Birmingham, Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens serves as a historical interpretive museum and reception hall. The property is managed by a staff overseen by the Arlington Historical Association's board of directors. The executive director is Toby Richards.

History

The 475-acre property was purchased in 1822 from William O. Tarrant and John Burford Sr by Stephen Hall, a trustee of the Jefferson Academy. Hall erected a log house on the knoll, along with various outbuildings, including a blacksmith's shop. Over time he enlarged the home to two stories with four main rooms. At his death, the property was inherited by his son, Samuel, who depleted his wealth, forcing the sale of the house and grounds.

Mudd bought the estate at auction in 1842. In 1846 he married Florence Earle and began building a larger home in place of Hall's, which he called The Grove for the numerous old hardwoods surrounding the house site. With the labor of his slaves alongside contracted builders, Mudd had the house expanded into a grand eight-room mansion in the Greek Revival style. The shallow hipped roof projected over a double-height gallery, with its cornice supported on six square columns. Four brick chimneys provided a hearth for each chamber, which the Mudd's filled with 10 children.

From 1843 to 1848, Mudd served in the Alabama legislature. In 1856 he was elected Circuit Judge, a position he held until his health forced retirement in 1883. In the 1860 census, Mudd reported housing 14 enslaved persons at The Grove.

During Wilson's Raid in the Spring of 1865, the house was commandeered as a temporary headquarters for General James H. Wilson and his staff. While there, Wilson made plans for General John T. Croxton to lead a detached brigade to Tuscaloosa to burn the University of Alabama, which had trained cadets for the Confederacy and was operating a hospital for soldiers. Wilson's use of the home helped spare it from destruction.

When Mudd died in 1884, Colonel Henry Debardeleben purchased the house as an investment. He never lived there, and soon sold it to Franklin H. Whitney of Cass County, Iowa, who converted it for use as a boarding house and subdivided some of the property into lots for sale. The house was purchased in 1902 by Robert Munger, owner of Continental Gin Company which manufactured cotton gins in Avondale. It was Munger who dubbed it "Arlington", a reference to the estate of Robert E. Lee in Virginia. He continued to divide the former plantation to provide houses for his children as they married. Munger died in 1923 leaving the main house to his daughter, Ruby and her husband, Alex Montgomery. They resided there for nearly three decades, putting the property up for sale in 1952.

Members of the Elyton-West End-Powderly Civic Club, led by Fred Melof, rallied numerous civic organization to petition Birmingham's Department of Parks and Recreation to purchase the house as a Confederate memorial and museum. Mayor Cooper Green and commissioner Jimmy Morgan supported their efforts, but declined to commit funds from the city budget. A steering committee headed by Morgan Smith began raising money to make the purchase, which was completed in 1953 for $53,000. The house was restored and furnished by the Arlington Historical Association and soon became one of the signature landmarks for visitors to Birmingham.

Tours of the home are available on Tuesdays through Sundays, and the restored tea-room can be reserved for private parties. The rooms are furnished with antiques from the Antebellum period, many of them original to the house. The home also displays a notable collection of 19th century decorative arts and paintings.

The house serves also as a decorative arts museum, featuring a collection of 19th-century furniture, textiles, silver, and paintings. Arlington has gardens and a restored garden room named the Tea Room that is used for private and club events such as weddings, meetings, and food-service events.

The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The ashes of former mayor George Seibels, who died in 2000, are interred at Arlington.

In 2008 the exterior of the house was repaired and repainted. Visitors' restrooms were enlarged to accommodate the disabled and ramps were constructed to improve wheelchair access to the restaurant, gift shop and museum. Additional work planned for 2009 included opening the restaurant up toward the formal garden and renovating its interior.

From 1969 to 2019 the "Birmingham Belles" staged a debutante party at the mansion, dressed in hoop-skirted antebellum-style gowns. Newer events celebrate the property's African-American heritage, including "Soul Food Saturdays" and events for Black sorority groups.

In 2021 the Anne Cabaniss Charitable Trust donated $145,000 toward the preservation of the home and gardens.

Gallery

  • exterior in snow

    exterior in snow

  • entrance and stair hall

    entrance and stair hall

  • parlor

    parlor

  • a bedroom

    a bedroom

  • a bedroom

    a bedroom

  • a bedroom

    a bedroom

  • a bedroom

    a bedroom

  • 1966 advertisement for Arlington

    1966 advertisement for Arlington

References

External link

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