Washington, Georgia, the county seat of Wilkes County, was named in honor of President George Washington. The town was incorporated in 1780 and is as rich in history as it is antebellum homes.

Within the city limits are 2 national landmarks, four national register districts and fourteen properties individually listed on the national historic register.

One of the loveliest of these properties is the Holly Court Inn. The home is actually two combined plain style Federal period houses that date from the 1830's that have been lovingly restored by the innkeepers. Situated on two landscaped acres, located just two blocks from the charming town square it is well known as the home where Mrs. Jefferson Davis awaited her husband during his flight south after the fall of Richmond.

The second floor accommodations include 2 beautifully appointed guest rooms and 2 grand suites with period fireplaces and large, charming bathrooms. There is also a formal dining room and parlor, and an upstairs veranda, garden and patio where guests can relax outside.

The Holly Court Inn has been decorated with period antiques, all the better to immerse yourself in the flavor of the times. All of the rooms have modern amenities and guests are treated every morning to a delicious full course breakfast.

After a full day of history and exploration come back to the comforts of the Holly Court Inn and enjoy a glass of sherry in the parlor, or sit back on the veranda and listen to the crickets as you bask in the evening twilight, feeling the imprint of days gone by. Washington, Georgia, where the past greets the future in the timeless elegance of the Holly Court Inn.

Specials available for corporate travelers - call for details.

Member of Washington Wilkes Chamber of Commerce.

Accommodation:

Historic Atmosphere with Modern Amenities:

Incorporated into the old-fashioned charm of Washington, you’ll enjoy modern amenities that make today’s traveling experience much more comfortable. All of our rooms have private bathrooms, entertainment centers with cable TV and DVD, phones and internet access. Accommodations include two large standard rooms and two large suites featuring, gas operated fireplaces and extra large bathrooms with jetted tubs.

Common Areas:

Enjoy a glass of sherry with us the way President Jefferson Davis might have so long ago in our formal parlor. Our bed and breakfast common area also include a large porch and upstairs veranda, formal dinning room, den with entertainment center, landscaped grounds with gardens and a large library with extensive reading materials, movie selections, and a 24 hour complementary bar with soft drinks and snacks.

Modern Accommodations Include:

• Formal parlor
• Private bathrooms
• 2 landscaped acres
• Formal dining room
• Ideal for conference
• Grounds for weddings
• Gas operated fireplaces
• Very large formal library
• Large suites with jetted tubs
• 24 hour complementary snack bar
• Internet access, fax and copy service
• In-room phone and entertainment centers

A Romantic Getaway:

Join us in the formal dining room where you start your day with a delicious full course breakfast. The upstairs veranda, garden, and patio are perfect for relaxing outside and enjoying the morning sun or the evening moonlight. It’s perfectly romantic!

Rooms:

Holly Heights:

Holly Heights is a suite sized spacious room that is both regal and romantic. The suite features a king size poster bed, gas burning fireplace and large step down bathroom with a jetted tub set in an eloquent alcove.

Garden View:

Features a queen size bed, gas burning fire place and spa sized bathroom overlooking the grounds with wrap around windows and a corner jetted tub. Garden View provides a world of its own. Retreat to the tub, dim the chandelier and leave the world behind.

Varina Davis Room:

"If these walls could talk". Named in memory of Varina Davis who was a guest in this room with her children awaiting her husband confederate president Jefferson Davis during his flight south after the fall of Richmond. Their relationship was strong and bound by a mutual passion for the cause they were deeply committed to. The romantic canopy bed and decorative gas burning fireplace spark the imagination to capture the memory and romance of their rendezvous.

Serenity:

Named for the serene ambiance created by the blue toned walls and wood framed window treatments. Serenity will envelope you with a peaceful and nurturing retreat you are sure to feel at home in.

Common Areas:

The Parlor:

Enjoy a glass of sherry with us the way President Jefferson Davis might have so long ago in our formal parlor.

The Library:

Visit our library with extensive reading materials, movie selections, and a 24 hour complementary bar with soft drinks and snacks.

Dinning Room:

The formal dinning room where you will enjoy each mornings breakfast or a private dinner by request.

Drawing Room & Patio:

Relax in the drawing room and curl up by the fireplace, watch a movie or access the shaded patio. A favorite for morning coffee and small gatherings.

Garden:

Take advantage of the large front porch and upstairs veranda for lounging and watching the town pass by. Explore the landscaped grounds and gardens.

Romantic Escape:

For that special occasion or when the mood arises. Holly Court Inn offers the "Romantic Escape".

It includes two nights in our deluxe standard room the Varina Davis room or one of the two large suites.

The Varina Davis room features a queen size canopy bed with feather bed mattress, gas burning fireplace set in an elegant granite hearth and an in-room entertainment center. The suites feature gas fireplaces, luxurious bathrooms with jetted tubs, plush king size or queen size poster bed with feather bed mattress and in-room entertainment centers.

You also will be greeted with a complementary bottle of champagne or sparkling cider chilled for your arrival, fresh flowers in your room and a dozen chocolate covered strawberries. To top your evening off you we also receive a gift certificate for dinner at one of the fine restaurants on the town square.

Please ask for current rates if interested in this romantic escape.

Weddings and Events:

Holly Court Inn is an ideal location for your next event. On the National Register of Historic Places, Holly Court Inn stands majestically on two landscaped acres amid the holly trees from which it gets it’s name. Steeped in history its grand ante-bellum architecture provides a romantic and memorable setting for weddings and special occasions.

Recently restored and converted for use as a bed and breakfast Holly Court has been upgraded with the full spectrum of modern necessities and remodeled to rekindle its historic ambience.

The sweeping front porch, patio and gardens offer a variety of spacious outdoor settings to accommodate large and intimate gatherings. The main floor common areas are ideal for receptions and private parties and can be used in total or separately to suit the occasion. Areas include a large formal parlor, library and dinning room with an adjoining drawing room leading out to the shaded stone patio on the south side of the Inn.

In addition to the use of the house and grounds, Holly Court Inn bed and breakfast offers accommodations packages for family and friends of the bridal party or in the case of business conferences, out of town staff.

We will be pleased to assist you with floral and catering services or we will work with your personal planner and providers. Our ultimate goal is help you have a treasured memory of the event you had hoped for.

Pricing depends on the scope of your needs. We offer reservations for:

• The grounds separately
• The main floor separately
• The entire Inn and grounds
• For smaller occasions one or more of the common area rooms on the main floor.

Please contact us for a personal tour of the Inn and to discuss specific costs suited to your event.

Area Attractions:

Washington offers everything for the vacationing traveler. The town is rich in local history and the town square provides a variety of interesting shops and fine restaurants. Antiquing in Washington and the surrounding towns will please any enthusiast and there are a number of large state parks that offer the full range of outdoor recreation. Centrally located between Athens and Augusta you are just an hour away from the arts and entertainment resources of these renowned metropolitan cities.

Local History:

After you've settled in at the Holly Court Inn take a stroll around town and visit some of the more notable historic residences such as the Cooper-Sanders-Wickersham House, where Jefferson Davis formally dissolved the Confederacy on May 5, 1865, and the Robert Toombs House, home of the senator whose famous words "Defend yourselves, the enemy is at the door..." became a turning point in history as Toombs used his influence to lead the state of Georgia into secession from the Union and ultimately to war. The nearby Callaway Plantation is located on 56 acres and includes a hewn log cabin constructed in 1785 as well as the manor house and several other historic buildings.

Near the end of the Civil War over half a million dollars in Confederate gold, ended up in Washington. Some of this fortune was seized by Jefferson Davis and some was captured by Union soldiers. The remaining gold is believed to be buried in Wilkes County.

To go even further back in history visit the Kettle Creek Battlefield located eight miles outside of Washington. There you will find an historical marker, a monument, and several marked graves to commemorate the decisive battle that is said to have ended the British domination of Georgia. It was the only major Patriot victory in Georgia during the Revolutionary War. For more information, and an interesting destination unto itself, visit the Washington Historical Museum, located in a house built in 1857. The Museum is home to many Indian artifacts and Civil War relics as well as a recreation of 19th century home life. There is also the Mary Willis Library which was founded in 1888 and was the first free library in the state of Georgia.

Washington Town Square:

Washington's historic town square is a pleasant two block walk from Holly Court Inn. The Center is a focal point for the town's retail business district, centrally located with off-street parking adjacent to the shops. Antiques, gourmet fudge, casual and fine dinning, sporting goods, unique home furnishings and of course espresso are all to be had at one of the many charming shops.

Antiquing:

Washington Town Square has several antique shops just a short walk from Holly Court Inn. The shops feature period furniture, lighting and collectibles. If you are interested in particular pieces and you would like to consult a local broker prior to your trip contact us and we will provide you with referrals if you desire.

Within 20 miles of Washington the surrounding towns of Lincolnton, Elberton and Bowman offer good antique hunting at a variety of local shops. Slightly further away the historic town of Greensboro is worth a peek with some nice antique shops and cafes.

Outdoor Recreation:

Callaway Plantation, Washington, GA. - Approximately 5 miles form Holly Court Inn . The Callaway Plantation is a historic restoration project of the City of Washington. History is brought back to life for those who visit the three restored homes, structures, farm and fields.

The great manor house, built of red brick made at the site and designed in the Greek Revival style, was constructed in 1869. The mansion was the focal point of a 3,000 acre cotton plantation that stretched as far as the eye could see in all directions. The home remains virtually unaltered.

Callaway Plantation is unique because it has been in the control of the same family since the arrival of the settlers in the late 18th century. It has passed from one generation to another by inheritance. The family still owns all the land that surrounds the 56 acre core which was given to the City of Washington. Much family furniture and equipment has been saved and is on display.

A.H Stephens Historic Park, Crawfordville GA. - Comprised of 1,177 acres,16.2 mile from Washington. The park offers fishing with boat rentals, and boat rentals and 3 miles of hiking trails.

This quiet site combines the recreational fun of a state park with the educational resources of a historic site. Named after the vice president of the Confederacy and governor of Georgia, A.H. Stephens State Historic Park features a Confederate museum with one of the finest collections of Civil War artifacts in Georgia, including uniforms and documents. Stephens’ home, Liberty Hall, is renovated to its 1875 style, fully furnished and open for tours. Beautiful outdoor facilities make this park a treat for both nature lovers and history buffs. The lakeside group camp is a popular location for large overnight gatherings.

Elijah Clark State Park, Lincolnton, GA – Comprised of 447 acres, 23 miles from Washington. The park offers fishing, swimming and hiking on 3.75 miles of nature trails.

Located on the western shore of 70,000 acre Clarks Hill Lake, this park is named for a frontiersman and Georgia war hero who led pioneers during the Revolutionary War. A renovated and furnished log cabin museum displays furniture, utensils and tools circa 1780 and is open for weekend tours April through November. Visitors can also view the graves of Clark and his wife, Hannah. Anglers and boaters will especially enjoy the park’s location on the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River. Cottages are located on the lake’s edge, and the spacious campground is nestled into the forest.

Richard B. Russell State Park, Elberton, GA. - Comprised of 2,508 acres, 27 miles from Washington. The park offers fishing, boating (canoe and pedal boat rental), swimming and 6 miles of hiking trails.

Located on a 26,500 acre lake, Richard B. Russell State Park offers some of the state’s finest fishing and boating. The park’s campground and fully equipped cottages are located on or near the water’s edge for a relaxing getaway. A nature trail follows the shoreline to one of the oldest steel pin bridges in the area, loops through the adjoining woods and returns to the beach. The park's new 18-hole golf course, Arrowhead Pointe, is scheduled to open during 2004. Several Indian sites were excavated near the park in 1980 before the lake was filled, indicating that Paleo-Indians lived in the area more than 10,000 years ago. This area is now called Rucker’s Bottom and lies deep within the waters of Lake Richard B. Russell. All park facilities are designed for wheelchair accessibility, including the swimming beach.

Local Events:

Mule Day Southern Heritage Festival:

Held the second Saturday in October. A celebration of plantation life in the Old South with mule contests, primitive demonstrations, food, an arts & crafts show, and fun for the whole family. Held at Callaway Plantation. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Candlelight Shopping Holiday Open House:

Held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving in November. Downtown comes alive with luminaries, special evening shopping hours and sales, free refreshments, and entertainment. Sponsored by the Downtown Merchants.

Christmas Dinner and Holiday Tour:

Held the second Saturday in December. Features a number of private homes open only for this tour. This wonderful holiday dinner and tour will be the highlight of your Christmas season. Sponsored by the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation.

Location:

Perfectly situated, our B&B is located in the historic district 2 blocks from the town square of Washington, Georgia. Washington is situated between Augusta and Athens in the heart of the state's historic region. This distinguished bed and breakfast home is one of many historic landmarks that make Washington a treasured place rich in tradition and history. Your stay at Holly Court Inn allows you to take in all that there is to see in town, without having to be in the crowded areas.

Policies:

Children & Pets:

Children are welcomed. Regrettably, pets are not allowed at the Inn. However local boarding is available. We would be glad to assist you in making boarding reservations at your request.

Smoking:

Fire regulations do not permit smoking in the house. We hope you will enjoy your smoke in the relaxed atmosphere of the front porch and lounge areas on the grounds.