Henderson House
Boyhood home of Alabama Governor Charles Henderson
A private guesthouse offering luxurious accommodations in the heart of Troy, Alabama's College Street Historic District.
Overview
After a $1 million restoration, the stately Henderson House is as hospitable today as it was when Alabama Governor Charles Henderson spent his boyhood here. The nearly 6,000-square-foot residence, owned by The Barnes Family Foundation, has been restored to its original splendor with careful attention to detail and a few modern updates.
Located at 215 West College Street in Troy, Alabama, the property sits within a cluster of late-19th to early 20th century homes in the College Street Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Furnished with carefully chosen art and antiques, the Henderson House offers guests a unique opportunity to enjoy Old South hospitality with modern conveniences and luxuries, including 1,000-thread-count linens, down comforters, and fine crystal and china. Overnight guests may choose from three upstairs guest rooms, each with its own private bath.
The Henderson House is operated by the Barnes Family Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to creating a better world through historical preservation, feeding the hungry and caring for the world's children.
Guests at Henderson House make a donation to the foundation in exchange for accommodations and a sumptuous breakfast featuring Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls. Suggested donations range from $179 to $229 per night.
Accommodations and private tours may be arranged by calling Henderson House chatelaine Lesa Wood at (334) 770-0005. The historic residence is not accessible for the handicapped.
History and Restoration
Jeremiah Augustus "Gus" Henderson built this spacious residence for his wife, Mildred Elizabeth "Millie" (nee Hill), in 1867. The home was constructed of wood lath with heart pine floors and had separate kitchen and carriage buildings.
The couple raised seven children here, including their sons Charles, who was elected Governor of Alabama in 1914, and Fox, who became a prominent banker and entrepreneur. Their daughter, Julia Henderson Weedon, lived her entire life in the house, caring for her mother until her death and raising her own family there. Charles Henderson returned to Troy after his term as governor and resided in the unusual and equally impressive house next door to his childhood home.
The home has remained in the Henderson family for its entire history. It was recently restored by The Barnes Family Foundation, which was established by Patricia "Sister" Wood Barnes, founder of Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls. Her grandmother, Leona Henderson Wood, was a niece of Gus and Millie Henderson and first-cousin of Charles, Fox and Julia Henderson. Her sister, Lesa Wood, serves as the chatelaine of Henderson House.
The home opened as a private guesthouse in August 2008, following 18 months of restoration at a cost of approximately $1 million. Contractor Alex Whaley of Whaley Construction Co. completed the renovation. His wife, Jane Whaley, was the interior designer.
A Tour of Today's Henderson House
Boyhood home of Alabama Governor Charles Henderson
A private guesthouse offering luxurious accommodations in the heart of Troy, Alabama's College Street Historic District.
Overview
After a $1 million restoration, the stately Henderson House is as hospitable today as it was when Alabama Governor Charles Henderson spent his boyhood here. The nearly 6,000-square-foot residence, owned by The Barnes Family Foundation, has been restored to its original splendor with careful attention to detail and a few modern updates.
Located at 215 West College Street in Troy, Alabama, the property sits within a cluster of late-19th to early 20th century homes in the College Street Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Furnished with carefully chosen art and antiques, the Henderson House offers guests a unique opportunity to enjoy Old South hospitality with modern conveniences and luxuries, including 1,000-thread-count linens, down comforters, and fine crystal and china. Overnight guests may choose from three upstairs guest rooms, each with its own private bath.
The Henderson House is operated by the Barnes Family Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to creating a better world through historical preservation, feeding the hungry and caring for the world's children.
Guests at Henderson House make a donation to the foundation in exchange for accommodations and a sumptuous breakfast featuring Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls. Suggested donations range from $179 to $229 per night.
Accommodations and private tours may be arranged by calling Henderson House chatelaine Lesa Wood at (334) 770-0005. The historic residence is not accessible for the handicapped.
History and Restoration
Jeremiah Augustus "Gus" Henderson built this spacious residence for his wife, Mildred Elizabeth "Millie" (nee Hill), in 1867. The home was constructed of wood lath with heart pine floors and had separate kitchen and carriage buildings.
The couple raised seven children here, including their sons Charles, who was elected Governor of Alabama in 1914, and Fox, who became a prominent banker and entrepreneur. Their daughter, Julia Henderson Weedon, lived her entire life in the house, caring for her mother until her death and raising her own family there. Charles Henderson returned to Troy after his term as governor and resided in the unusual and equally impressive house next door to his childhood home.
The home has remained in the Henderson family for its entire history. It was recently restored by The Barnes Family Foundation, which was established by Patricia "Sister" Wood Barnes, founder of Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls. Her grandmother, Leona Henderson Wood, was a niece of Gus and Millie Henderson and first-cousin of Charles, Fox and Julia Henderson. Her sister, Lesa Wood, serves as the chatelaine of Henderson House.
The home opened as a private guesthouse in August 2008, following 18 months of restoration at a cost of approximately $1 million. Contractor Alex Whaley of Whaley Construction Co. completed the renovation. His wife, Jane Whaley, was the interior designer.
A Tour of Today's Henderson House
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Exterior
Architecturally, Henderson House mixes Federal elements such as dentil moldings and Palladian windows with Greek Revival columns in a style more reminiscent of antebellum mansions than the ornate Victorian structures nearby. Stucco was applied to the original wooden exterior in the mid-1900s.
In true Southern style, the home has three porches. Fluted Doric columns support the inviting front porch, which is furnished with a wicker swing, rocking chairs and potted ferns. Overlooking the garden, the back porch has an alfresco dining table and chairs. The lofty upstairs porch is a comfortable retreat furnished with a ceiling fan, wicker chairs and settees.
The extensive gardens have been replanted with favorites of the period: kiss-me-at-the-gate, hydrangeas, crape myrtles, azaleas, lilies, roses and an aromatic kitchen garden. A few of the original camellias, azaleas and trees remain. The carriage house provides separate garage parking for three cars with remote control entry.
First Floor
The foyer, front parlor and formal dining room display their original Victorian lighting fixtures, and the floors and most of the moldings throughout the house are original. Nearly every room features a fireplace.
The imposing front staircase stretches to the second floor with two landings and a flowing hand-carved handrail supported by dozens of graceful spindles. The foyer is framed by tall Doric pilasters, which terminate in ornate dentil and egg-and-dart moldings at the 12-foot ceilings. On sunny days, expansive windows bathe the foyer in light, while the original chandelier illuminates the scene at night.
The front parlor is a study in Victorian elegance, punctuated by a high relief plaque of cherubs at play over the fireplace mantle. Julia Henderson Weedon's own round parlor table displays period family photographs. The coffered ceiling, chandelier and matching mantle sconces add a touch of drama to this warm, welcoming room.
Adjacent to the front parlor, the formal dining room features massive mahogany breakfronts and a large matching dining table with upholstered chairs. An oil portrait of Millie Henderson, rescued from the attic in 1990, presides over the room from its perch above the fireplace. Many pieces of her furniture have been restored to the house.
The original gentlemen's parlor has been redesigned as the private living quarters for Lesa Wood, chatelaine of Henderson House. Swathed in pale teal silk, the bedroom features a sleigh bed suite that belonged Leona Henderson Wood and delicate bas relief tracings on the ceiling. A French marble fireplace and hearth decorate the adjacent study. The kitchen has been modernized while keeping the antique nature of the room intact. It features clerestory windows and an original rustic screened cupboard. The original breakfast room now contains a state-of-the-art coffee center and mini-kitchen with custom crafted china cabinets and period needlepoint accessories.
Guest Rooms
Atop the stairs, Henderson House features three guest rooms, each with its own private bath. Each room is equipped with a hidden flat-screen TV and Internet access. The first bedroom is called "Woodville Red" for Julia's Old South favorite camellia. This room features a king-size bed, French country decor with a thread of red throughout, and a private entrance to the upstairs porch.
The second bedroom is called "White Empress" after another of Julia's beautiful old-fashioned camellias, and features upholstered twin beds in shades of white and ecru and a Victorian claw-foot tub.
Originally the nursery, the last suite is called "Kiss-Me-at-the Gate" after the sweet-smelling shrub in the back garden, and features English country décor with a king-size bed and fabulous bath, complete with fireplace, claw-foot tub and walk-through shower.
All three guestrooms are set on the upstairs hall, which leads to the upstairs back porch, with its comfortable wicker furnishings and treetop view of the back garden. A well-stocked mini-bar on the main landing, with comfortable club chairs upholstered in Henderson plaid, completes the guest floor.
