America’s Southeast plays host to a variety of iconic architectural styles and a rich history that is exemplified by the historic homes that are scattered throughout the region.
Located in Mount Vernon, Virginia, George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate reflects the rich history of the land. The mansion, blacksmith shop, church, and dozen other buildings compose the estate. The grounds also boast a fully functioning 4-acre farm that represents the 3,000 acres that were once cultivated on the estate, as well as several gardens. Next to the fruit garden on the south side of the estate is where George and Martha Washington are buried in the New Tomb, which was constructed 30 years after the president’s death. Walk down to the Wharf, situated on the Potomac River, where guests can take a sightseeing cruise. A shuttle runs between the Wharf and the museum, located at the entrance of the estate.
Just a short trip from Atlanta, Barrington Hall and Bulloch Hall are two historic house museums in charming Roswell, Georgia.
Bulloch Hall was built for James Stephens Bulloch and his wife, Martha Stewart Bulloch, in 1839. There, they lived together with their children. Their youngest daughter, Mittie Bulloch, was married in the dining room of the home in 1853 to Theodore Roosevelt Sr. The new couple spent time in Roswell before moving to New York City, where they would start their family, and their son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., would then go on to be the 26th U.S. president.
Barrington Hall sits on the highest point in downtown Roswell, looking out over the town—and for good reason. The home was constructed for Barrington King, who, with his father, Roswell King, founded the colony that would become Roswell. The house stayed in the King family until 2005, when it was purchased by the City of Roswell, which operates it today.
In the Nashville area of Tennessee, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage estate is a must-see for any history buffs visiting the Music City. The president’s mansion, plantation, and tomb are all points to stop and experience the history of the seventh president’s life and death. The grounds were also once home to numerous enslaved men and women, whose cabins have now become archeological sites.

Credit: Adobe/Petr
The Hermitage offers several options for group tours, including a mansion tour, a garden tour, “The Hermitage Enslaved: A Wagon Tour, ghost tours, and more.
The Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West, Florida, is home to beautiful gardens, Ernest Hemingway’s famed swimming pool, and nearly 60 six-toed cats, all descended from one pet belonging to the literary legend.
The Spanish Colonial home was constructed in 1851 and was purchased for Ernest and Pauline Hemingway by Pauline’s uncle in 1931. The Hemingways renovated the home throughout the 1930s and even added the first in-ground pool in Key West. The pool alone cost them $20,000, and Hemingway’s “last penny” is commemorated in the flagstones of the pool.
Little Rock, Arkansas, is home to the Quapaw Quarter, known for containing more than 100 historic residences. During urban renewal projects in the 1960s, the Quapaw Quarter was designated to protect the significant residences and their history. Groups visiting Little Rock should carve out time to visit the quarter and walk through some of its 15 distinct neighborhoods.
The Walters-Curran-Bell House is open to the public for walk-throughs and is home to Little Rock’s Visitor and Information Center. The Hornibrook Mansion, also known as the “Empress of Little Rock,” boasts a gothic Queen Anne style and still has the original iron fence and gate on the property. The Frese Cottage is one of the few wooden clapboard houses still intact in Little Rock. The Governor’s Mansion has housed Arkansas governors since 1950, including President Bill Clinton.
By Bridget Kelley
Main Image: Mount Vernon, Virginia; Credit: Orhan Cam