The Cedars

The Cedars is one of Limestone County's loveliest antebellum homes and one of the few that remains in the hands of the same family that built it.  The towering cedar trees that line the front entrance gave the mansion its name. Built in 1859, The Cedars continues to function as a working plantation and family home.

With its rich heritage, we feel The Cedars is the perfect place for an elegant, traditional wedding, dinner party or business luncheon.  Many of the furnishings in the house are original and the setting is private and serene.  The flow of the house from the dining room to the screened porch to the lawn provides a relaxed feel for any event. 

History

Edmond Garrett, settled in Alabama in 1817 and purchased large tracts of land. Above the banks of Piney Creek, Garrett built his home, Piney Bluff.  His son, Peter Francisco Garrett, harvested pine, walnut, yellow poplar and cedar on the property. The timber was hauled 10 miles to the mill at Swancott for planing into 16-by-16 inch windowsills, heart pine floors and poplar wainscoting to finish the house.  The 5,000 square foot plantation house was built in 1859. Peter Francisco Garrett planted a grove of cedar trees and built the house for his new wife, Mary Goodson Peete.  Built with slave labor, the house is constructed of poplar and pine timbers, chopped with a broadaxe and pegged together. All of the bricks were made on the farm.

An elaborate chandelier medallion and cornice frescoes in the house's parlor were designed by an artist from France. However, only four years after construction was complete, The Cedars was seized by Union soldiers, who destroyed plaster decorations in the form of spiny Acanthus leaves and cornices in the ornate molding.

If the walls of the old house could talk, they would tell tales of the Yankee occupation, community dances and former governors. They would reminisce about the generations of the Garrett family who were born and have lived in the home.

Rental Fees

Weddings - $1750.  This allows for all day on the day of the wedding (beginning at 7:00 a.m.) and 1 ½ hours the day prior to the wedding.  Extra hours are $125/hour. A $500 deposit is due for reservation and the balance is due seven (7) days prior to the wedding.

Luncheons, parties, business retreats - $500 minimum with a $125/hour fee for any time over five (5) hours.

Note – Caterers must provide a Certificate of Insurance prior to any event.