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J.M. Brown Plantation
This exceptional home is about Texas and its heritage. . .
cotton and cattle. . . legends and vast lands located in Washington County, the birthplace
of Texas, where the Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2, 1836.
Resting gracefully on 55
acres, The Brown Plantation is surrounded by 200 year old live oak trees. It is considered one of the most beautiful
antebellum plantations in Texas and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Situated on a broad, grassy ridge that was part of
a 17,000 acre plantation, this 1854 Greek Revival house near
Washington-on-the-Brazos was
built by J. M. Brown, a South Carolina cotton planter who came to Texas for the rich soil
and open spaces.
The property
formerly belonged to Mrs. Faith Bybee, a
well- known Houston antiques collector who was instrumental in restoring numerous
buildings in Round Top, Texas. She began
restoration in the 1960's, restoring the foundation and roof, and rewiring the house. Plasterers were brought from England to float new
plaster over the lathe walls.
To
coordinate the restoration effort, the present owners worked closely with the National Park
Services and the Texas State Historical Commission.
Many of the rooms had closets, where it was possible to run chases for
plumbing and wiring. Light switches operated
by foot are in the floors and 4 zoned air conditioning systems cool and heat the main
house. All new plumbing was installed, as
were new appliances and fixtures and satellite television.
Meticulous journals kept by the Brown's indicated the bricks used for the
foundation came from a local brick kiln using clay from the banks of the Brazos River. The cypress clapboards came from Louisiana; the
walnut stair balustrade came by boat from New York State.
Other building materials came from Washington County including the cedar
shutters and heart-of-pine wide flooring featured throughout the house.
The impressive
forty-foot long center halls on the first and second floors are flanked by four rooms
measuring 16 feet by 19 feet with 12-foot ceilings on the first floor and 11-foot ceilings
upstairs. Magnificent painted canvas wall
panels, originally from a mid-19th century- Hudson River valley
house, grace the dining room walls. The
11-ft. windows provide panoramic views of the lush green countryside from the
approximately 6,200 sq. ft. home featuring 5 bedrooms and three and one-half baths and ten
fireplaces. The basement floor of the home
encompasses a warm and cozy area of two bedrooms, the master with a fireplace, large bath, kitchen and living room with a
fireplace.
Near the creek, the restored log cabin with wood burning fireplace is a favorite of guests. The lighting, chandeliers and sconces, throughout the house are reserved but available for purchase, as well as the furnishings, with personal exclusions. #16 $1,175,000
This material is based upon information which we consider reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions, change of price or withdrawal without notice.
Kennedy Country Properties | 101 N. St. Charles St., Brenham, Texas | (979) 836-1002