UGA Miracle: 24th Annual Tour of Homes

January 08, 2019

UGA Miracle: 24th Annual Tour of Homes

Built by Dr. James E. Hamilton before the Civil War in 1858, this has been home to Alpha Delta Pi sorority since 1939. The ornamental ironwork, ordered from England and delayed by Union rail blockades during the war, was not installed until 1861..

Each year, on the first Sunday of December, UGA sororities - and some fraternities - open their homes to the public for the UGA Miracle Tour of Homes.

This annual event is a much-beloved time for many to stroll the South Milledge Avenue historic district of Athens, and enjoy these lovely homes. All proceeds benefit UGA Miracle, which supports Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

On December 2, 2018, I joined my Kappa Delta friend, Yvonne Williams, who is also the president and CEO of the Macon Chamber of Commerce for a Sunday fun day in Athens.

Below are highlights:

Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Scents of the season filled the air at the Chi Omega house.

I loved this tree at the Chi Omega house.

Georgia’s first millionaire, Colonel Thomas N. Hamilton, built this house in 1858. The Italianate and Greek Revival home was built with a symmetrical “H” floor plan and includes a two-tiered porch which features intricately detailed ironwork said to have been shipped from Philadelphia on the last train to come through before the stockade. It is rumored to have had the first bathtub in Athens. Phi Mu purchased the property in 1964.

Even the sconces were decorated at Phi Mu.

Details at Delta Gamma.

This antebellum Greek revival mansion was built in 1856 and purchased by the sorority in 1938. Pre-war southern architect is evident throughout, with its white columns, immense heart of pine floorboards, and fruitwood dining room doors. The red bricks were made onsite.

Delta Phi Episilon is housed in the Joseph H. Flemming House, which was designed by prominent Athens architect William Thomas, and constructed in 1884. The home was executed in the then popular Richardsonian Romanesque style ~ a subset of Queen Anne architecture. Strong hallmarks such as asymmetrical massing, the use of mixed materials including wood, brick, and rusticated stone with Roman arches are found in the windows, door openings and foundation structure throughout, and in the distinctive three-story copper-domed turret.

The exquisite entry of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

The living room at Kappa Kappa Gamma is as beautiful as it is inviting.

This is UGA, so a Bulldog was needed in my post!

Affectionately known as "The Wedding Cake House," this Beaux Arts classic was designed and built in 1893 by William Winstead Thomas. The portico’s colonnade of evenly-distributed Ionic columns on stone piers across the width of the house creates the cake appearance. Interior features include extensive ornate moldings, wood carvings, and stained glass windows in the foyer. The house was purchased by James Yancey Carithers in 1913 and became the home of Alpha Gamma Delta in 1934. A large two-story wing was added in 2013.