United States of America -- Alabama -- Jefferson County -- Birmingham
General:
Vestavia was the 20-acre country estate of George B. Ward (1867-1940) located on the crest of Shades Mountain about six miles from Birmingham, Alabama. Ward was the 13th Mayor of Birmingham from 1905 to 1909, as well as a successful businessman and financier. As the mayor, Ward worked to establish city parks for the citizens to enjoy during their leisure time. Using plans designed by the Olmstead Firm and adding athletic fields, Ward developed Green Springs Park, which was renamed George Ward Park following his death in 1940.
Wards home, built in 1925, was a replica of the Temple of Vesta inspired by his interest in the classics and travels to Greece and Rome. The home's location on Shades Mountain afforded an exceptional view overlooking the city of Birmingham and the surrounding countryside. The grounds were beautifully landscaped and carried the carried the Greco-Roman theme with doghouses shaped like miniature Roman temples, models of ancient ships floating in the pond, and a gazebo-type Temple of Sibyl, which was copied from a structure twelve miles from Rome in Tivoli. Ward opened the house and gardens to the public for tours on special occasions. He was also known to host elaborate themed parties complete with servants costumed as Roman Soldiers, young ladies dancing as the barefooted Vestal Virgins, and the guests dressed in togas.
A residential community grew around the estate and is now a large suburban municipality known as Vestavia Hills. The image of home became so iconic to the people of the city that its image was used in the design for the city's logo. Following Ward's death in 1940, the home was sold. After nearly a decade of neglect the home was converted to a restaurant and tourist attraction for a brief time before being sold to the Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. The once pagan temple was used to hold church services until 1971, when it was razed and replaced with a new sanctuary. The Sybil Temple gazebo was donated to the Vestavia Hills Garden Club, who had it installed above US Highway 31.
Persons associated include: George B. Ward (former owner, 1923-1940), William Leslie Welton (architect, 1923-1925), Vestavia Hills Baptist Church (former owner).
Vestavia, Country home of Mr. Geo. B. Ward, Crest of Shades Mt., BBirmingham, Ala.--63
Postcard circa 1930-1945.
Varying Forms:
Also known as Vestavia Villa.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Richard Marchand historical postcard collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid in this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
