The Keith Mansion was built in 1858 by famed architect, Thomas Crutchfield for Col. Alexander Hume Keith and his wife Sarah Anne Penelope Fore. Both families were of the earliest settler’s of McMinn County. Alexander Keith was the son of the Honorable Judge Charles Fleming Keith who held one of the longest seats on the circuit court bench in Tennessee. Judge Keith was a close relative to John Marshall, Justice of the Supreme Court. The Keith and the Fore families have long history of being political and religious leaders in the Athens community as well as generous givers to the community. Sarah Anne Keith is legendary for giving land for parsonages and schools, housing ministers in The Keith Mansion, building the first brick Methodist Church, and starting Bible studies in the home.
The Keith Mansion was designed after Judge Keith’s original home “Elmwood” about 3 miles from Athens. History states that the builder, Mr. Crutchfield moved from Virginia to East Tennessee building homes for prosperous farmers, and by the 1830’s was one of the most popular builders in the state. Mr. Crutchfield is known for the earliest buildings of East Tennessee University, at least eight Tennessee county courthouses, many buildings in the new city of Chattanooga in the 1840’s, but only a handful of single family residence.
Construction on the home began in 1858 and took six years to complete. Some of the original design elements were not finished until after the Civil War due to the troops occupying the home, and burning the columns for firewood. According to family history, the Civil War was raging and the home housed both confederate and union troops. He union army camped in Athens in the winter of 1863 using the nearly completed Keith Mansion as headquarters and temporary hospital.
The bricks were hand made on the property by slaves and the internal walls are double brick.
The antebellum Keith Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance as an example of Greek revival style. The original wide plank pine floors, marble fireplace hearths and mantles, four panel, pegged doors with transoms, woodwork and molding are all still intact and functioning. The hand carved pegged cherry handrail on the lovely hall staircases is another fine example of nineteenth century carpentry.
The home underwent major renovations in 1939, adding new wiring, a furnace, and the grand portico that now dominates the front façade along with four huge Tuscan columns which was the original Crutchfield plan in the 1850’s. The Keith Mansion stayed in the Keith family for almost 100 years. Now owned by Chef Paul Carideo and his wife, Melonie who reside on property as your Innkeepers, the home still houses several original antiques like an 1800 rosewood piano from Vienna and ornate gold mirror hanging in the parlor. A one story brick smokehouse still stands in the back of the home with hand-hewn logs and remnant of salt from the meat smoking. The grounds are filled with 200 year old trees on 3 ½ acres and even a 155 year old Magnolia named Maggie awaits you in the side yard.
The two story Keith Mansion welcomes you with a circular driveway, lovely front porch, grand foyer entrance with stairwell leading to elegant suites.
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