If you’re ever driving on Briarcliff Road toward Emory University, you may notice a sign to Callanwolde Mansion and wonder what it is. Once home to Howard Candler, President of Coca-Cola in the 1920s, Callanwolde is now a fine arts center. 

For over 40 years, the 2-story tudor mansion hosted Christmas at Callanwolde. For $20, visitors could see rooms decorated by top designers and purchase items from the Artist Market. The pandemic put a stop to that and this year, the Callawolde Foundation decided to do something different. 

Winter House

2021 marks the first year of the Winter House at Callanwolde. For 16 days, running from November 26 – December 11, visitors can see the mansion completely free. To return to their mission of arts education, the mansion is providing workshops for various fees throughout the festivities in addition to music performances.

During Winter House, they also are selling wine to sip by the fireplace in the library and s’mores kits to roast on the outside fire pit. The Winter Living Room, where the Candler family spent most of their leisure time, has been transformed into a beer garden for more seating.

In the Dining Room, tables are set up so families can play Connect 4, Monopoly, and other board games. All throughout the house, Christmas trees decorated by students from the neighboring schools add to the holiday spirit.

Winter House’s art workshops include gingerbread house making, Raku ornament firing, calligraphy, and glass etchings. Additionally, Santa poses with kids and pets on the front porch on select dates. The event culminates with the Callanwolde School of Dance holiday performance, “Our Common Joy” on the last two nights. Twice a day, guides lead one-hour tours of the mansion.

History

In 1888, Asa Candler purchased the Coca-Cola recipe from Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton. Later Candler developed the Coca-Cola Company and the rest is history. With his increased wealth, he developed the Druid Hills neighborhood, donated $1 million to start Emory University, became mayor of Atlanta in 1916, and was a founder of Trust Company Bank.

Howard Candler was Asa Candler’s oldest son. Just like his father, he served as president of the Coca-Cola Company and later served on Emory University’s board of trustees for almost 30 years. He hired Henry Hornbostel, who was designing the new Atlanta campus of Emory, to build the 27,000 square foot mansion in the North Druid Hills neighborhood.

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In the late 1950s, Howard Candler’s widow donated the mansion to Emory University. After several ownership changes, DeKalb County purchased the estate in 1972 and since 1982, the Callanwolde Foundation runs all the programs.

It’s no wonder that Callonwolde hosts many weddings. Brides love descending the dramatic Grand Staircase into the Great Hall while the Aeolin organ, with over 3,000 pipes built into the walls during construction, plays music for the processional.

The U-shaped mansion surrounded a large courtyard. However, DeKalb County covered the courtyard making it a banquet hall where guests celebrate after the ceremony. The large, enclosed space hosts many art workshops, dance performances, and music concerts.

Artist Market

Fortunately, Callanwolde kept the popular Artist Market during the Winter House. Located on the 2nd floor, we could walk in several of the rooms to see the crafts.

At the top of the staircase, a large room featured tables filled with ceramics, ornaments, and other items by artists. I envisioned this room serving as a ballroom back in the day of the Candler family.

We wandered in several of the bedrooms which all featured fireplaces, chandeliers, and detailed crown molding. The floors upstairs all were made from white oak.

The Grounds

Before leaving, we walked the grounds of the former estate. The property originally consisted of 27 acres. DeKalb county purchased 12 acres which contain the mansion, carriage house, gardens, and what was once the pool house.

When I took an acrylic painting class a while back, it was held in the carriage house. One session, we sat in the garden and painted en plein air. The gardens were designed the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park in NYC and Piedmont Park. Even in the winter, the grounds were meticulous and a few blooms peaked out from camelia bushes.

 

Winter House is a welcome change from Christmas at Callanwolde and I hope they continue it for years to come. For more information, visit Callanwolde’s website here.