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Spring 2009 April 3 & 4 |
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Tour Attractions |
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The Woman’s Club |
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108 North Alexander Avenue Washington, Georgia
(Seated luncheon featured Saturday, 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.) |
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This stately and imposing edifice stands on Lot 24 of the original town of Washington, laid off in 1780. The framing of the house is the original framing of those early days and the hand-wrought, square-headed nails hammered out from an iron rod by the village blacksmith are clearly visible in the beautiful heart pine flooring of wide boards just inside the wide front door.
The house originally faced Robert Toombs Avenue and was begun by Jonathan Webster. He sold it to Absolem Jackson but somehow the title reverted to the Town Commissioners who sold it in 1797 to John Griffin, one of the most distinguished lawyers in Georgia at that time. He was a son-in-law of Colonel Micajah Williamson and Sarah Gilliam Williamson who came into the Ceded Lands prior to 1770. Micajah Williamson was one of the commissioners appointed by the Georgia Legislature to lay out the town.
The Ball family took over the house of John Griffin and then Ann Anthony lived there, according to Eliza Bowen in her history of Wilkes County. Later, the Ellington family occupied the house.
When the Woman’s Club was organized in 1909, the dream of a clubhouse began but it was not until 10 years later that the women had the money to purchase the lot on which the club now stands. In 1919 the house was moved to its present location. Since that time, the women have been working continuously to improve house and grounds and to keep the premises in good condition for the many civic functions which take place there.
The house has beautiful chandeliers and mantels and a newly remodeled kitchen. |