Reverie (Marion, Alabama) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Reverie
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Location in Alabama
Location	110 West Lafayette Street Marion, Alabama
Architectural style	Greek Revival
Part of	West Marion Historic District (ID92001844)

Reverie is a beautiful old mansion built around 1858 in Marion, Alabama. It's designed in the Greek Revival style, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. Today, it is both a home and a museum where people can learn about its past. Reverie is part of the West Marion Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical building. It has also been featured in several books about historic homes in Alabama.

The Story of Reverie

The land where Reverie stands was first sold on February 9, 1858. It cost $4,000, which was a lot of money back then! Joseph Thompson Whitsitt, a farmer and railroad investor, bought the land.

Changing Owners Over Time

Because of money problems during the American Civil War, Mr. Whitsitt sold the mansion. On November 28, 1862, Edward Kenworthy Carlisle bought it for $10,000. Mr. Carlisle was a rich cotton broker (someone who buys and sells cotton). He also owned another amazing mansion nearby called Kenworthy Hall.

Carlisle didn't keep the house for long. On April 28, 1863, he sold it to David Scott. Mr. Scott was a merchant and owned mills that processed cotton and wood. When Scott passed away in 1868, his will listed all the furniture inside the mansion.

In 1871, Harrison H. Hurt bought the mansion at an auction for $4,650. His daughter, Nellie, later married Dr. R.C. Hanna. Because of this, the mansion became known as the Hurt-Hanna House.

Reverie's Modern Era

After Mrs. Hanna died in 1944, Dr. William T. Weissinger bought the house. Dr. Weissinger was a very important doctor. He was even General Douglas MacArthur's physician in the army! Mrs. Weissinger was the one who first named the house "Reverie." The name has stayed the same ever since.

Since Dr. Weissinger's death in 1971, different families have owned Reverie. Each family has continued to live in and care for the historic house.

A Wartime Headquarters

During the 1860s, when David Scott owned the house, something very interesting happened. Union troops occupied the town of Marion during the Civil War. They used Reverie as their main headquarters! You can still find some marks left by these soldiers in the attic of the house.

Reverie's Design and Features

Reverie is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. It has a grand and impressive look.

Outside the Mansion

The front of the house features four large white columns. These are Doric columns, which are simple and strong, like those on ancient Greek temples. They are made of brick covered with stucco.

A wide, flat board called a frieze runs around the entire house. It has decorative block-like shapes called dentil moldings, which look like teeth. The outside walls are covered with original board siding. The windows are also original, with two sashes that slide up and down.

On top of the low, gently sloped roof, there is a small tower called a cupola or belvedere. It has a classic balustrade (a fancy railing). There is also a balcony right above the main entrance.

Inside the Mansion

The mansion has a standard layout with four rooms on the first floor and four rooms on the second floor. It has a wide central hallway and a grand staircase that seems to float without support.

What makes Reverie special are the two-story "cabinet rooms" on the east and west sides. These extra rooms were unusual for homes built at that time. Along with the large front porch (called a portico), these rooms made the design of Reverie very unique.

Two smaller buildings from the original property are still standing. One is the original kitchen, which is now connected to the main house. The other is a brick smokehouse.

The inside of Reverie is just as beautiful. It has fancy plaster moldings and round decorations called medallions on the ceilings. These are all original to the house. Some floors have beautiful inlaid patterns made of oak and mahogany wood, which were added later. The ceilings are very high, 14 feet downstairs and 13 feet upstairs! Most areas still have their original heart pine floors.

The Gardens of Reverie

The garden at Reverie is also very special. There is a Wisteria arbor (a shaded walkway covered with climbing plants). People believe this wisteria plant might be older than the house itself, possibly the oldest surviving wisteria in Alabama!

There is also a boxwood parterre. This is a formal garden with low hedges trimmed into fancy patterns, like a knot garden or a small maze. It was likely planted after the 19th century began and has been carefully restored in recent years.

Gallery

Reverie at Night

Knot Garden