Habersham Memorial Hall--Atlanta: A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary

[image] Atlanta: A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary

[photo]
Front view of the Regency style hall
National Register photograph by Yen Tang

Habersham Memorial Hall, the chapter house for the Joseph Habersham Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is a 20th-century building modeled after the circa 1819 Bulloch-Habersham House in Savannah, Georgia, designed by William Jay. The Hall is located near Piedmont Park in the neighborhood of Ansley Park . While the exterior of the Hall is a replica of the Savannah home, the interior was designed not for residential living, but for the purpose of meetings and entertainment. It was designed in 1921 by New York architect Henry Hornbostel, who was responsible for several other Atlanta buildings including Callanwolde and the campus plan for Emory University. Hornbostel's design for Habersham Memorial Hall is a fine example of the Regency style of William Jay, adapted in form and use for the 20th century.

Built in 1921, this two-story, hipped roof, brick-stuccoed building has a semi-circular portico. The two-story hexastyle portico has stuccoed columns with composite order capitals and a semi-conical roof that appears to fit into a central gable in the hip roof. The capitals are detailed with spread eagles and acanthus leaves. The first floor doors open out onto a brick paved terrace, level with the portico but above ground level. The second-story window and door openings are protected by cast iron railings and detailed with the initials, "JHC," representing the Joseph Habersham Chapter. The interior features a central hall, off of which are identical rooms, and a smaller stair hall that leads to the kitchen and a stairway. On the front facade are French doors which open out onto the terrace. The ceiling has open beam work with a deep beaded cornice. A vast assembly room comprises most of the second floor.

Habersham Memorial Hall is located at 240 15th St. It is not open to the public.

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