Hills & Dales Estate

Hills & Dales Estate Hills & Dales Estate is a home and garden museum with a unique history that spans over 175 years. Fuller E. Beginning in 1936, Fuller E. Callaway, Jr.
(1)

The story begins in 1841 when Sarah Ferrell expanded a small garden begun in 1832 by her mother, Nancy Ferrell. The land had been given to Sarah and her husband Blount by her father, Mickleberry Ferrell. Between 1841 and 1903, Sarah Ferrell developed “Ferrell Gardens” into one of the most widely acclaimed gardens in the Southeastern United States. After the Ferrells died, the property was purchase

d by Fuller E. Callaway and his wife, Ida Cason, who renamed the estate “Hills and Dales”. Callaway, a successful textile manufacturer, commissioned the noted architectural firm of Hentz & Reid of Atlanta to design a new home. The house was built on the site of the old Ferrell home and was completed in 1916. Ida and Fuller also restored the gardens, and added fountains and statuary to enhance the Italianate character of the garden. After Fuller’s death in 1928, Ida continued to live at Hills and Dales and to oversee the gardens until her death in 1936. and his wife, Alice Hand, took over the care of the estate. They continued to preserve the house and historic garden, while adding selected features until his death in 1992 and her passing in 1998. In accordance with the wishes of Alice and Fuller Callaway, Jr. the estate was given to Fuller E. Callaway Foundation and is now open for the enjoyment of visitors.

Alice Callaway loved birds, especially bluebirds. She even had a member of her garden staff specifically assigned to mon...
09/05/2026

Alice Callaway loved birds, especially bluebirds. She even had a member of her garden staff specifically assigned to monitor the numerous bluebird boxes stationed throughout the estate. Joanna Baxter, Hills & Dales docent and member of the Sierra Club, continues that duty today.

The bluebird nesting period typically runs from March through the end of August, and monitoring is done weekly. This year, we had a total of 26 bluebirds fledge at the estate! An analysis of the nesting activity determined the need to relocate or repair several boxes for the next season. Garden volunteer Jimmy Sherman has also been enlisted to assist with the bluebird monitoring for the next season.

09/03/2026

News blast! 📣 Library card holders can now check out a Hills & Dales experience pass from the LaGrange Memorial Library! You can check it out for 7 days to gain entry for 4 to a guided tour of the estate and a self-guided tour of the gardens.

What are you waiting for? Sign up for a library card today and find out more about our experience passes. 😄


Georgia Public Library Service
Hills & Dales Estate

Continuing with our docents’ favorite artifact series is Clairnelle Wilkerson, who has been giving tours since 2014. Whe...
09/03/2026

Continuing with our docents’ favorite artifact series is Clairnelle Wilkerson, who has been giving tours since 2014. When asked about her favorite object in the house, Clairnelle says:

“I love the Butler’s Chimes in the Dining Room. They’re so unique, and guests love to hear the different notes.”

During the time the Callaway families lived in the house, the chime was kept in the Butler's Pantry and played by the staff to alert household members that dinner was being served. The original wooden gong has been taken off display and added to storage. Clairnelle’s husband, Andy, made us a replica in his woodworking shop.

Next time you take a tour, ask your guide to play a couple of notes on the Butler’s Chimes – Clairnelle might even let you try it out!

🍂✨New Activity Alert✨🍂Scarecrows have made their home in the garden for the month of September! Stop by the Visitor Cent...
09/01/2026

🍂✨New Activity Alert✨🍂
Scarecrows have made their home in the garden for the month of September! Stop by the Visitor Center to get a worksheet and find all the plants they're guarding to win a prize. Kids can choose from a small toy or candy bar, while adult participants can win a Hills & Dales coffee mug (or toy or candy).

We are so excited to partner with the LaGrange Memorial Library!
08/31/2026

We are so excited to partner with the LaGrange Memorial Library!

Troup County library patrons can now check out a free Hills & Dales pass for up to four people, including a guided home tour and self-guided garden tour.

Is anyone missing this guy? He’s wandering the drive in front of our Visitor Center.
08/29/2026

Is anyone missing this guy? He’s wandering the drive in front of our Visitor Center.

🌸💐🌺Flower Arrangement Friday 💐✨🌹This week's beautiful arrangements were created by Helen Phillips and Elaine Clements.
08/28/2026

🌸💐🌺Flower Arrangement Friday 💐✨🌹

This week's beautiful arrangements were created by Helen Phillips and Elaine Clements.

With all the time our docents have spent in the Callaway home over the years, some of them are bound to have a favorite ...
08/25/2026

With all the time our docents have spent in the Callaway home over the years, some of them are bound to have a favorite artifact. Joyce Morgan Young, who has been a tour guide since 2011 and worked with our 5th grade program before that, had this to say about her favorite piece:

“My favorite is the bust of St. George, the Christian Soldier, purchased in 1915 in New York City for $45. For 110 years, he has been sitting on the mantle in the Dining Room, gazing at the studio copy of Madonna and Child!”

The bust, which was part of Fuller Sr and Ida’s original décor, is a copy of the marble figure created by Donatello for San Michele Church in Florence, Italy. St. George is also the Patron Saint of England, which is appropriate for the Callaway family, as they descend from Cornwall.

Next time you visit the estate, make sure to say hello to St. George - and Joyce, if she happens to be on duty!

The estate will close today at 3pm for a private event. Please arrive no later than 1pm to join a house tour. We apologi...
08/20/2026

The estate will close today at 3pm for a private event. Please arrive no later than 1pm to join a house tour. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Our new Greenhouse Horticulturist, Kayla Folds, recently caught these amazing images of our night-blooming cereus in blo...
08/18/2026

Our new Greenhouse Horticulturist, Kayla Folds, recently caught these amazing images of our night-blooming cereus in bloom! 🌝🌸

Address

1916 Hills & Dales Drive
Lagrange, GA
30240

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hills & Dales Estate posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category