28 • Lifestyles Answer Book™ 2013 • Appen Media Group
Blending history and the holidays at Barnsley Gardens story & photos By KATIE VanBRACKLE The ruins of Godfrey Barnsley’s 19th-century country manor in Adairsville offer a holiday open house experience like none other. In this case, the term “open house” is literal. Look up and you’ll see only twinkling stars overhead and the edges of green vines creeping over aging brick walls. And yet dancing flames crackle in the fireplaces, candles glow amid freshly scented evergreen garlands on the mantels and beautifully decorated Christmas trees stand in each of the main rooms. Just steps from the manor house’s front door, a boxwood path planted over 160 years ago leads to a parterre garden where a sparkling fountain trickles amid thousands of colorful holiday lights. Though it may seem an unlikely pairing, the combina-
Guests stroll near the fountain in the parterre garden. tion of pre-Civil War ruins and Christmas trimmings at Barnsley Gardens is magical. The historic manor, gardens and museum are part of Barnsley Gardens Resort’s 3,300-acre property. Located just 60 miles north of Atlanta, the luxury resort is close enough for a day trip or a weekend getaway. During the month of December, the ruins will come alive with lights each evening from dusk until 10 p.m., and
admission to the gardens is complimentary for the public as well as resort guests. When the holiday season at Barnsley Gardens kicks off, when over 1,000 people attended the first annual Lighting of the Manor House Ruins. The event included musical performances, visits with Santa and his live reindeer, s’mores and refreshments. For more information on Barnsley Gardens Resort, visit www.barnsleyresort.com.
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A candlelight tour of the historic ruins is a magical experience.
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