PASTEL The original manor, called Woodlands, was an estate built Godfrey Barnsley for his wife Julia. He began construction in the 1840’s on land that had once been inhabited by the Cherokee Indians.
Unfortunately, Julia died in 1845 and Godfrey stopped construction. In 1846, her spirit appeared to him in the formal garden, asking him to finish the estate for their children, which he did. It was irreparably damaged during the Civil War when it was occupied by Yankee troops. It was damaged even further in the early 1900s when a hurricane blew the roof off.
What you see above is a partial view of what is left - only the brick skeleton. It's still breathtakingly beautiful with its orange brick walls, brilliant green and turquoise moss, and romantic arches. One can almost feel past presences after spending an entire day painting there.
