Many of you have noticed the increased activity around the Taylor-Brawner House on Atlanta Road. Construction on Taylor-Brawner Park has begun. The park will have lawns, a picnic shelter, gazebo, playground, and trails. The classic-style building will feature public classrooms and reception space with City staff offices. Completion is expected in summer 2008.
For those of you who don’t know about the Taylor-Brawner House, here’s some more background. The Taylor-Brawner House, a landmark in Smyrna, Georgia was constructed circa 1883 by Samuel and Mary Taylor. Located on their 350 acre property, the house was first used as a “summer retreat”. When the Taylors retired as directors of the Methodist Children’s Home, they remodeled the house and moved in. They would live there until 1908.
In addition to being one of Smyrna’s oldest residences, the property gained special significance when it became the location for Smyrna’s first Jonquil flower bulbs and gave birth to the well known Creatwood Dairy and renowned Brawner Hospital.
In 2001, the remaining twelve acres of land, the Taylor-Brawner House, and beautiful 1910 hospital building was purchased by the City of Smyrna. In the fall of 2004, a group of preservation minded citizens negotiated with the city to save the house, and the
Taylor-Brawner House Foundation was born.
The restoration is now underway and you can read more about the history of the house and the foundation’s efforts in the HISTORY section.
The unique Taylor-Brawner House will eventually be made available to the citizens of Smyrna to host a variety of community events, including tours, group meetings, wedding receptions, education classes, exhibitions and other special events. While the exterior will remain the same as when originally completed, the interior will be charmingly modernized without sacrificing the architectural integrity. Amenities will include central heat and air, a catering kitchen, two restrooms, handicap accessibility, ample meeting rooms, full security systems, large protected front and back porches, and a ground level patio.
There is much work to be done, and the foundation will need widespread assistance. We hope you will join us in this important and exciting project. The foundation is still raising funds for the completion of this project and would love your support. To make a donation, go to the Taylor-Brawner House Foundation site.
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