Pleasant Hill
Home of Rev. Robert Donnell (1784-1855)
Built abt. 1849 by Rev. Robert Donnell, a native of North Carolina, and his second wife, Clara Lindley Donnell.
He was greatly inspired by the Great Spiritual Revival of 1800 and became a Presbyterian circuit rider, one of the "flaming fires" because of their spiritual intensity. Donnell held the first camp meeting in the settlement that became Huntsville, started new churches in North Alabama and Tennessee, and retired as minister of the Athens Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The North Alabama Presbytery was named in his honor for his service and dedication.
After Rev. Donnell died in 1855, the house and surrounding acreage passed to his son, James Webb Smith Donnell.
J.W.S. Donnell and his family lived here during the Civil War, despite the Union Army's efforts to apprehend him for allegedly aiding the Confederacy.
In 1862, during the sacking of Athens, Federal troops camped on the house grounds, looted, and damaged the house through bankruptcy after the war.
It served as a boarding school for boys for a time and later as the home of Athens School Superintendent Julian Newman and his family.
Local historians and authors Christine W. Edwards and Faye A. Axford initiated a campaign to save and restore the house in the 1970s. Local citizens, businesses, and Donnell's descendants contributed to the restoration of this historical landmark.
The Donnell House is located at 601 South Clinton Street.
 |
| Pleasant Hill Historical Marker |
 |
| Pleasant Hill Historic Marker |
 |
| Donnell House |
It hosts events throughout the year, such as a Christmas tree presentation during the holiday season. Because it is located on the campus of Athens Middle School, students have conducted school projects, including interpretive videos centered around the house's history.
April is the month to showcase local history in Alabama counties by featuring walking tours every Saturday.
I chose the Robert Donnell House & Museum to tour; it was the only walking tour that I had not attended.
*Tour options were:
*Beaty Historic District
*Downtown Athens Historic District
*Athens City Cemetery
*Athens State University
*Houston Historic District. All the above are excellent tours, and many tour guides dress in the period-appropriate attire for the tour.
Unfortunately, the Governor George S. Houston Library and Museum was not offered this year.
The Donnell House and Museum were hosting a wedding later that day, and food was being prepared and finger foods placed on the table.
What caught my eye was the Armadillo pink cake.
Hanging in the parlor were pictures of Rev Donnell and his two wives.
 |
| Wedding Buffett |
Two staircases led to the upper level, showcasing the home's history and its occupants.
Outside was a 1830s log cabin donated by Don and Ed Horton, sons of Judge James Horton, and nearby was an herb garden.
I had often driven past the Donnell House Museum, but I had never noticed it until the tour, because it was located within the Athens School system.
Rev. donnell and his two wives.
ReplyDelete