Hardman Farm State Historic Site
Take a journey back in time at Hardman Farm State Historic Site
On an unusually warm winter day in north Georgia, we visited the state’s newest historic site: Hardman Farm. The property itself consists of 173 acres and is nestled in a valley along the historic Unicoi Turnpike, just south of Helen, Georgia. Helen is located on the edge of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
While the Hardman Farm site’s main historical areas do not necessarily have named hiking trails, visiting the many buildings and areas that are open to the public takes visitors on quite a lengthy excursion! The main farm area is expansive and includes an impressive Italianate style mansion built in 1870 and 19 outbuildings. The trek from the main parking area to the mansion will give visitors the feeling that they are truly on a hike.
Normally, this historic site is closed from January through the end of February due to weather conditions. Fortunately for us, the site was opened to the public for touring on the weekend of our visit due to the warm weather and a regional exhibition called the Winterfest Arts Tour. During the site’s regular season, the entrance fee for self-guided tours is $6.00 per person, and there is an extra charge for guided tours of the mansion.
Once outside the mansion, it’s easy to forget that you are in the north Georgia mountains. The Italianate architecture was popular during the era of its construction, post-Civil War. Not so much in the south, however. It was more of a northeastern U.S. style architecture given to larger homes and mansions, although the Tuscan/Victorian style was also popular in New Orleans. But in north Georgia? Very interesting to see and explore. The first floor of the mansion contains over 80% of its original furnishings and artwork.
The surrounding grounds are full of outbuildings designed for several purposes on the farm. These buildings include a smokehouse, a freshwater spring bath house, an expansive dairy, two corn cribs, barns for different types of animals, and a coach house. Most of the outbuildings are open to view and are well preserved. Some of the largest and tallest magnolia trees we have ever seen are near the footsteps of the mansion.
Across the road from the farm sits the Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound at Hardman Farm and is perhaps the best-known feature of the site. It has exceptional ties to Native American history. The mound is off-limits to foot traffic, but there is a parking pullout and marker nearby.
The Hardman Farm Historic Site is central to many trails and waterfalls in the area. Anna Ruby Falls, with its twin 150-foot falls, is nearby and is named after Anna Ruby Nichols, wife of the original owner and builder of Hardman Farms, Captain James Nichols.
Next time you’re on an adventure near Helen, be sure to stop by Hardman Farm for a historic step-back-in-time excursion that the whole family can enjoy!
