The Swan House Gardens

Host an unforgettable social gathering or have a memorable wedding ceremony at the historic venue setting. Designed by Philip Trammel Shutze in 1928 for Edward and Emily Inman, Swan House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Atlanta landmark is versatile enough to host a dinner party or act as a pre-function space for the Grand Overlook ballroom. Consider adding a costumed interpreter that will perform historical character narratives. Edward Inman was heir to a large cotton brokerage fortune amassed after the Civil War. He was an Atlanta businessman with interests in real estate, transportation, and banking. His wife Emily was involved in philanthropy, politics, and society. In 1924, they hired the architectural firm of Hentz, Reid, and Adler to design a house for their property in Buckhead, a residential suburb of Atlanta. Noted architect Philip Trammel Shutze designed Swan House and its gardens, as well as many other important buildings in the city. He adapted Italian and English classical styles to accommodate 20th-century living for Swan House, which many consider his finest residential work. Emily lived in Swan House until her passing at age 84 in 1965. In 1966, the Atlanta Historical Society purchased the home and most of its original furnishings, ranging from 18th-century antiques to 20th-century objects. It opened to the public in 1967 as a house museum and headquarters of the Atlanta Historical Society. Formal gardens surround and showcase the 1928 historic mansion. Reminiscent of great Italian gardens, it is perched on a hill with a cascading fountain, terraced lawns, roses tumbling over stone walls, and clipped hedges. An intimate boxwood garden and formal motor court complete the landscape, making this one of Atlanta’s best-known and photographed sites. The lawns can accommodate 50 to 750 guests. Because Swan House is a historic house museum, parties and receptions are not allowed inside the mansion, but your guests can tour the mansion for a few hours during your event.