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The original owner, John Crocker, built an eight-room house on 15,000 acres of land in 1790. David Barrow and his first wife Sarah were given this house and land as a marriage gift from his from father Bartholomew Barrow in the 1820s. After Sarah Barrow died in 1846, David married a young widow named Mrs. Susan Wolfork Rowan of Kentucky. What makes this house unique is that David Barrow kept the original house intact while adding to this house and created a French Gothic Chateau Antebellum Mansion after expansion in 1849. Legend has it that the new house was copied from a chateau in France.
Why the name Afton Villa? "[David Barrow's] daughter Mary, was a beautiful sentimental young lady, who loved the Robert Burns lyrical poem describing the Afton Water in Ayrshire, Scotland called “Flow Gently Sweet Afton." Mary sang so sweetly that her friends and admirers soon began calling the place “Afton." [1] Here are the words Mary sang: "Flow gently, sweet Afton! amang thy green braes, Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise; My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream, Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream. Thou stockdove whose echo resounds thro' the glen, Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den, Thou green-crested lapwing thy screaming forbear, I charge you, disturb not my slumbering Fair. How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighbouring hills, Far mark'd with the courses of clear, winding rills; There daily I wander as noon rises high, My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye. How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below, Where, wild in the woodlands, the primroses blow; There oft, as mild Ev'ning weeps over the lea, The sweet-scented birk shades my Mary and me. Thy crystal stream, Afton, how lovely it glides, And winds by the cot where my Mary resides; How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave, As, gathering sweet flowerets, she stems thy clear wave. Flow gently, sweet Afton, amang thy green braes, Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my lays; My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream, Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream." [2]
Excerpts from "The story of East Feliciana’s Afton Villa: A House Within a House" dated August 18, 1939: ... The construction was of plaster and massive cypress timbers cut and aged in the Afton Villa forests. A pattern of stone was traced on the outside walls and they were painted a golden color matching the dark brown of the arches the roof and the decorative woodwork. The original plans of the of the house are said to have called for a moat, which the architect was persuaded to abandon because of the danger of mosquitoes. It was replaced by a wide stone terrace. ... Of the old home hardly a wall or a shingle was touched. The two roofs yet remain, the new some three feet above the old. But the four rooms were completely swallowed in the immense structure that became the new Afton Villa. The new structure was built on an ornate and complicated plan found nowhere else in early Southern architecture. .... The main wing built directly in front of the old home is two stories high its lace an impressive sweep of groined arches fluted columns and endless detail of intricate handiwork. At either end hexagonal towers rise three stories topped by battlements and copper turret guns which serve as rain spouts. A second huge wing giving the house the shape of a giant extends to the rear over and beyond the original dwelling affording space for a beautiful ballroom additional bedrooms servant quarters and store rooms. Perhaps the most remarkable features, however, of all the remarkable building were the hand carved stairway in the reception hall, and the ball room, a magnificent spial stair leading to the upper floors and the landscaping of the grounds ... The hand carved stairway in the reception hall, done on the site by workman from the Northeast, is described by architects as one of the most remarkable samples if such beautiful and elaborate work to be found anywhere in the United States ... ... The ballroom a gem in white, its ceiling bordered with an exquisite frieze in open work pattern of grapes and leaves ... As a finishing touch the interiors of the front rooms were given an airy decoration of elaborately carved woodwork and the walls were done in a fine imitation of soft yellow Italian marble, with baseboards of red basalt and Egyptian marble. A cathedral window of rich Belgian glass lights the landing of the stair in the reception hall. ... Completed at the height of the rich and hospitable era Afton Villa became a famed center of hospitality and entertainment. A belle who shone on many occasions at the villa was Miss Ada Meade, Mrs. Barrow's young niece, from Kentucky an orphan and an heiress who made her home in the South after the death of her parents In her memoirs she writes of one entertainment: "A stringed orchestra was brought from New Orleans as well as a small army of French chefs waiters and assistants. Confectioners and decorators hung bowers of grapes and roses through the galleries. Buffets with domes of spun sugar, nougat bonbons, candies and pyramid cakes with cupids and dancing girls decorating their white surface fruits end flowers were in abundance" Another guest on the same occasion remembered that the entire park was lit with Chinese lanterns' and that guests left their carriages under a canvas canopy floored with Brussels carpets This was the ball given by Mrs. Barrow in honor of the marriage of her stepson Bartholomew. ... Dr. Richard Lewis the present owner Dr. Lewis is a native of Canada ... under [his]administration the greater part of the grounds and the entire forward wing of the mansion have been completely restored to their original perfection. Working with infinite care and artistic sense for more than 20 years Dr. and Mrs. Lewis have furnished the home with antiques of a quality equal to that of the original imported furnishings. Only one thing have they been unable to replace the Dresden China doorknobs of which only those in the back rooms remained ... [3]
Photographs above taken March 1935
© Walker Evans Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Frances Benjamin Johnston photographer (1938)
Architect Joseph Frazer Smith visited Afton Villa in 1924 and recounted his findings:
“On the interior, the stair hall caving is comparable with any English manor house of the period. There are carved doors, vault ribs, spindles, newels, castings and mouldings of all kinds done in Gothic accuracy. There are plaster vaults and cornices, plaster imitation marble, and marble floors. A remarkable hall when viewed from any angle, and one which represents a great deal of work and very little unity. The stair hall is sketched for your inspection of these carvings.
On the south side of the house is little ninety-year formal garden featuring English box originally laid out as a maze. Here the air is fragrant with Chinese honeysuckle hanging in a solid mat of yellow over an old summer house. Emerging from this bower, there are camellias, sweet olive, fuscatas, lilies, and many other flowers contributing a witchery of perfume. The sunken garden in seven terraces now comes into view and, in this wide sweep below, great carpets of carefully moved grass lend the calming influence of open space and sunshine. Here is the perfect setting for contentment.” [4]
More about Mrs. David Barrow "Susan Barrow quickly became known throughout Louisiana for her lavish balls and generous hospitality Relatives from Kentucky often came to spend the entire winter at Afton Villa and parties and receptions celebrated weddings and other family occasions. Lit by hundreds of candles the tables loaded with succulent dishes Afton Villa welcomed its guests who often danced until dawn. When Civil War came it was relatively kind to Afton Villa Union soldiers in 1863 paused at the entrance then guarded by three massive Gothic archways Unable to see the mansion due to the winding turns of the oak avenue they concluded that they were at the entrance of a cemetery and decided to try elsewhere for booty When Union troops finally did arrive at Afton Mrs. Barrow met them at the door with a basket of keys to the house Impressed with this brave gesture the Union commander spared the house I only the horses and mules found on the place." [5]
Transcript of Music Advertisement: New Music- Mr. Robert Meyer, accomplished chef d'orchestre of Crisp's Gaiety, and who is always throwing of these gems of dance, has composed and published a beautiful waltz for the piano forte, called 'Afton Villa Waltz." dedicated to Mrs. Susan A. Barrow, as a souvenir of the inauguration of Afton Villa. The motto (taken from a communication to the Picayune) is an follows: "Of all that did chance 'twere a long tale to tell. Of all the dancers and dresses, and who was the belle; For each was so happy, and all were so fair, That night stole away, and the morn caught them there!" This pretty waltz may be found at the music store of its publisher. Gabici. Camp street. [6]
-It is with pleasure that we the are enabled to announce to our readers the approach of the opening cf that excellent institution of learning Feliciana Female Collegiate Institute. To every one in this section and to many in other States is the admirable abilities of the Principal -Mrs. Virginia Z. Howell- well known, and it is simply for the benefit of those at a distance that we give utterance to the universal praise of this institution. Afton Villa is situated at a convenient distance from town and is accessible by rail.
For training young ladies is the way to make them useful ornaments to society there is none better qualified than Mrs. Howell. Read notice of opening in another column.
Feliciana Sentinel ~ 28 August 1880
FELICIANA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.
AFTON VILLA, WEST FELICIANA PARISH, LOUISIANA.
The twenty-ninth session of this Institution will comumence on Monday, Septetmber 16lth, with a full and able corps of experienced teachers.
Pupils will have the benefit of thorough and careful instruation in a cofortable home.
For her information address MRS. V.Z. HOWELL, Principal,
F. F. C. Institute,
Bayou Sara, La.
Feliciana Sentinel ~ 19 October 1878
Over the next hundred years, the house was a finishing school for girls at one time and even abandoned for several years. The last owners of this mansion, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Percy, purchased the property in 1945 and completely restored the house to its former grandeur. Mrs. Percy purchased as much of the original furniture as she could find as well. The mansion was destroyed by fire in 1963. The property was sold in 1972 and the present owners lovingly have preserved the gardens and continue to share them with the public. The ruins of this mansion have been transformed into a garden in which flowers bloom year-round. The original gardens that comprised over 20 acres of formal gardens have remained intact and have been resurrected to their original grandeur.
St. Francisville Democrat 7 March 1963 Afton Villa destroyed by Fire Early Monday By Elizabeth Ann Dart Afton Villa, historical nationally known showplace, was completely destroyed by fire early Monday morning. The St Francisville Volunteer Fire Department received the alarm at 1:25 am ... Information given at the time of the alarm indicated that there was a fire in the kitchen of the old home. Arriving at the scene firemen immediately hooked up to a fire hydrant supplied by the water tank in the rear of the building and were able to extinguish the fire in the kitchen with two fog nozzles and entered the kitchen with air masks. After the blaze was extinguished lines were pulled out of the kitchen to let the smoke out and smoke was noticed coming from under the eaves and windows on the second story. ... firemen entered the second story using an outside stairway and encountered dense smoke terrific heat and were finally driven from the building by the heat about this time the fire broke through the double roof indicating that the entire attic of the building was ablaze. The terrific heat on the second floor also indicated that the fire which started in the kitchen had been burning for quite some time before the fire was discovered by Wallace Percy who was sleeping downstairs. Percy alerted the rest of the household sleeping on the second floor and they were able to escape without injury. When the fire broke through the roof efforts were turned to saving as much of the furnishing of the house as possible and at the same time slowing down the spread of the fire as it was then impossible to extinguish the blaze without such equipment as an aerial ladder truck. Engine 18 from Baton Rouge took suction from the nearby swimming pool and supplied a heavy hose line The water tank supplying the St. Francisville engine went dry several times during the fire Just before the electric system went out the water tank was emptied into the swimming pool to assure a supply of water there… It seems unjust and improbable far beyond the ken of mere man that West Feliciana should have lost another of her treasures to raging flames. But there at the end of its magnificent oak-vaulted avenue flanked by still-perfect formal gardens its sheltering shade trees scarcely scorched lies the smoldering heap of twisted rubble that is all that remains of remarkable Tudor-Gothic Afton Villa. The fire which destroyed Afton Villa began in the small hours; by the mid-morning hours nothing was left except here and there, amid the wreckage a bit of pink wooden ornamentation, a charred finial from the roof-line, the cast-iron parlor mantels, and littered all about, the crude, rough, square nails of all sizes that had held walls secure for so long. And shimmering in the heat drifted all the displaced dreams and hopes and worries and fears of all the people who had been a part of Afton's history, who dealt with it after their lights and who all left their mark on it... Afton Villa's original furnishings remain scattered among David Barrow's descendants today. Grace Church in St. Francisville has two Gothic chairs that were donated by Mrs. Barrow's daughter. These carved Flemish oak chairs graced the spacious hallway of Afton Villa. Louisiana family historian Mr. Seebold writes, "Gorgeous mirrors in handsome real gold leaf frames, crystal chandeliers, cut velvets, brocades, real lace window curtains, in fact all of the costly articles, and art treasures that went to furnish the palatial home of a wealthy planter were to be found here." [7]
Afton Villa Brochure from the 1990s
Photographs of home before being destroyed by fire in 1963 ~ from the book Afton Villa – Yesterday’s Gift to Today: French Gothic Chateau 1790-1849
Postcards from Historic New Orleans Collection
Excerpts from St. Francisville Democrat 6 September 1946 Afton Villa's Swimming Pool Christened Portrait Hung Claiming much Interest at Afton Villa now is the portrait of Mrs. Percy and her daughter recently framed in an antique-looking gold frame which harmonizes beautifully with the new furniture of the ballroom. The portrait was done by a local painter Clark Hulings who has painted many commissions -here among them the portrait of Gov Davis, being commissioned for the work by the Louisiana legislature. The painting the largest which the young painter has done, was completed sometime ago but the delay in hanging was due to the difficulties in obtaining the frame for the portrait. Now that the gold leaf frame has been obtained, the portrait has been hung in the handsome white ballroom at Afton Villa. Mrs. Percy has furnished the ballroom with lovely Louis XVI furniture, the floral design on the maroon chairs being handplanted In oils on the upholstered backs. These chairs in floral design harmonize with the new portrait and the other appointments of the room, especially with the large mirrors placed on the ballroom walls. In the portrait Mrs. Percy and her daughter are wearing hoop skirts in pink with bodices of velvet.
Photographs taken between 1997 and 2008
Afton Villa: The Birth and Rebirth of a Nineteenth-Century Louisiana Garden by Genevieve Munson Trimble Excellent book on Afton Villa which is sold by LSU Press ~ https://lsupress.org/books/detail/afton-villa
Highly Recommended.
Website: http://aftonvillagardens.com
Location: Hwy. 61, St. Francisville, Louisiana
Comments from visit: As you walk through the many old towering oak trees on this property and view the formal gardens, you can't help but think how wonderful it must have been to live here. This is one of my favorite gardens to visit and always is a must see when I am in St. Francisville. The family cemetery on the grounds is also interesting to see. An excellent property to use as a background for family or wedding photographs.
References:
[1] Herman de Bachellé Seebold, Old Louisiana Plantation Homes and Family Trees, vol. 1 (Gretna, LA: Pelican Pub Company, 1941), p. 267.
[2] Burns Country. “Sweet Afton.” Robertburns. org. https://www.robertburns.org/works/340.shtml
[3] C.W. Price, Jr., “The Story of East Feliciana’s Afton Villa: A House Within a House,” The American Progress, August 18, 1939.
[4] Joseph Frazer Smith, Plantation Houses and Mansions of the old South, (New York: Dover Publications, 1941), p. 125-126.
[5] Carolyn Fruthaler, “A Look at Afton,” St. Francisville Democrat, March 31, 1977.
[6] Courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
[7] Herman de Bachellé Seebold, Old Louisiana Plantation Homes and Family Trees, vol. 1 (Gretna, LA: Pelican Pub Company, 1941), p. 269.