Georgia

Griffin

About one hour south of Atlanta is the “must see” Walker Hill Farm and Museum in Griffin, Georgia. The Walker family purchased the 245-acre dairy farm from Benjamin Milner in 1906. When the diary closed in 1933, the Walker family made the farm their permanent residence. The historic homestead built in 1867 is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours of the property with its farm barns, dairy barn, homestead, and the Walker Family’s private and vast collection of antiques and collectables including a 1916 Allan Herschell Little Beauty carousel are available (see below). The mission statement of the museum is “America’s rich heritage is the foundation for our future. Walker Hill exists to ‘pass it forward to the next generation’ as a center of activity in Griffin for historic tours, research & community events.” Mrs. Anita Walker Hoffman who grew up in the homestead on Walker Hill Farm gave us a most wonderful, guided tour of the property which we enjoyed very much. Allen Bailey, Manager of Walker Hill, was very hospitable and extremely knowledgeable of not only the carousel but also of the entire museum grounds and collection. He is a most valuable asset to Walker Hill Farm and Museum.

The Little Beauty carousel was built in 1916 by the Allan Herschell Company. The carousel is a 2-row, portable carousel with 20 jumpers and 2 chariots. The carousel is typical of the Alan Herschell carousels of the time: portable and beautifully simple in the Country Fair style.

The original location of the carousel is unknown, but it resided in Chattanooga until 1969 when it was purchased by Charles Walker. Mr. Walker moved the carousel to Atlanta, and eventually, the carousel was moved to the Walker Hill Farm where it now resides.

The museum has many other carousel horses three of which can be seen in the photo below.

For more information and/or tours of Walker Hill Farm and Museum please access their web site (www.walkerhillgeorgia.com) or phone 678-643-1796.

Note the 3 additional carousel horses outside Little Beauty

Rounding Boards

Inside Scenery Panels

The Walker Hill Farm Homestead. This photo is from the Walker Hill web site and was taken by

Bonnie M. Morét, Bonnie M. Morét Photography, www.bonniemoret.com.

(L): One of the barns on the Walker Farm and Museum, (R): The Milking Barn on the Walker Farm and Museum