Saturday, April 11, 2015

The Park Avenue Inn ~ Historic District of Tallahassee, Florida

Downtown Tallahassee was crowded on this day due to the Springtime Tallahassee festivities which included The Grand Parade followed by the Jubilee in the Park, which included entertainment and  lots and lots of food booths, arts and crafts and much more.

The Jubilee in the Park was held in what is called "The Chain of Parks" along the Historic District in the Tallahassee area.   In the below photo we see "The Old Clock" which is located in the Historic District.


The Park Avenue Historic District is a United States Historic District and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.   The district runs along "The Chain of Parks and contains 27 historic buildings.


We just happened to be walking through the park area on our way back to find our car which was parked a few blocks away.

Originally the parks of Park Avenue was a dirt clearing to protect residents of Tallahassee from Indian attacks.  Eventually in 1880 residents converted the dirt clearing into parks.  In time, some of the City's finest early residences were built along Park Avenue.

I was so glad to have my camera on this beautiful day and was able to capture some of the sights while walking back to the car.

Dogwoods just beginning to bloom in the park.

We walked past the Lewis House which as you can see in the below photo was one 
of the original homes along Park Avenue.


The Lewis House was built by  B.C. Lewis, a pharmacist and founder of Lewis State Bank,
one of the longest operating financial institutions in the state.

The Lewis House

As we looked across the park,  on the other side of the street,  we 
noticed people coming and going in this pretty old historic home on Park Avenue.

The Park Avenue Inn
Circa 1838
323 East Park Avenue
Tallahassee, Florida

Curious,  we crossed the street to get a closer look.  
We spotted the sign seen in the below photo on the front porch of the Inn.


We found this newly opened Inn was offering snacks and water to the folks coming and going from the Springtime festivities.  You can see the table set up on the front porch.

Loving old homes as I do,  and since the door was open, and we had seen others coming and going,  we walked inside.  The Inn keepers were very nice and told us they would be happy to show us around.


As we walked up toward the front porch it was interesting to see 
this old stone wall surrounding the entrance to the Inn.


We were told this old stone wall is original to the house.


I loved the pretty little ferns growing out of the stone.


Before we stepped inside,  I could not help but admire this lovely
old Southern style wrap-a-round front porch.  
In case you are wondering, yes, those are lemons growing in the pretty pedestal planters on the porch.


Stepping into the front door we immediately see the elegant furnishings 
and grandeur of this old Antebellum mansion.


The very unusual grand staircase immediately caught our eye.


We noticed this unusual light on the staircase entrance post.


As you step into the hallway and look to the left we see this very pretty drawing room.


We were told the windows in the home are the original windows.


From the drawing room we walk ahead and enter into the lovely dining room.


We were told this fireplace in the dining room burned coal back in the 1800s.


The antique furniture seen throughout the Inn belonged to the same family
 in this home for over 160 years.


This beautiful old sideboard looks like it is all set for dessert to be served.


These pretty tulips looked beautiful as a centerpiece for the dining room table.


Guests at the Inn can enjoy a family-style continental breakfast around the dining room table. 
 Or, they can sit and enjoy breakfast out on the porch or even take breakfast to go.


The Inn features five guest rooms and suites all furnished with period pieces.  
And,  guests can expect to find all modern conveniences.

In the below photo we see one of the sitting rooms off one of the downstairs bedrooms.


In the below photo we see a close-up of the fireplace in the sitting room.  We were told the photo sitting on the fireplace mantel is a portrait of a girl friend of one of the young men who lived in the home at one time.


In the below photo this unusual chair is one of two similar chairs in the sitting room.


Our tour guide was not showing the upstairs bedrooms due to the guests staying at the Inn.  But, I can imagine the upstairs of the home was just as pretty as downstairs.

We were told the Inn is available for Private Events, Luncheons, Wedding Receptions, Anniversary Receptions, Graduation Celebrations and much more.   We were also told there are elegant queen rooms, king suites, private baths, bridal suite with private salon and is available nightly, weekly, and monthly.

As we walked down the hall on our way out,  I had to take a photo of this lovely Easter Lily.


Sitting on the same table with the Easter Lily I noticed this very interesting looking book called Remembering Tallahassee.  Curiosity took me to visit Mr. Google to find out about the book.  This is what I found:  

Remembering Tallahassee follows life, government, education, and events throughout the city’s history.  It captures unique and rare scenes through the lens of more than 100 historic photographs. Published in striking black-and-white, these images communicate historic events and everyday life of two centuries of people building a unique and prosperous city.


As we walked outside,  we noticed how beautiful the front door to the home was.  It looked like it was made from oak wood and could have been the original door.  

Also it was interesting to see the top part of the door opened separately from the bottom section of the door.


Leaving the home we again look across the street to the beautiful trees along Park Avenue.


As we walked across the street on toward our car,  these colorful blossoms in the park caught my eye.


My husband said he thought these lovely flowers were apple blossoms.


In the below photo is another old historic home along Park Avenue.


And along the way, another old home in the downtown area.


I love this charming little home in the below photo.


And approaching our car after our long walk, last but not least,  I just had to get a photo of this beautiful old home in the downtown area.  

You can see it was a breezy day as the Spanish Moss blows in the breeze on the trees above.


I hope you enjoyed walking along with us through the streets of downtown Tallahassee and a tour of the old Historic Park Avenue Inn.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with many blessings wherever you may be.


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