Encompassing a dozen pleasure trips to visit their art-student-son and his bride in Savannah, the parents of a Savannah College of Art and Design graduate were captivated by Savannah’s style of southern leisure, and more particularly by one Victorian-era bed and breakfast mansion -- Azalea Inn. Now, the couple owns their dream mansion inn— one which epitomizes the wonderful meeting of historic appeal, classic simplicity, and limitless versatility. Working tirelessly, the energetic Florida husband and wife team are producing their own artistic dream-come-true, surrounding themselves with casual-attitude guests and some of Savannah’s best rolling-up-the-sleeves, creative professionals.
Savannah Ga, October 20, 2005 -- Downtown Savannah is hosting what could be a scene from an art school storyline, a scenario depicting the art student graduate and his parents swapping places.
Simultaneous with computer artist Nathanial Brock’s graduation from Savannah College of Art and Design and exit from Georgia’s First City, his parents are found purchasing a nostalgic bed and breakfast in Savannah’s historic district, in pursuit of their own imaginative dreams.
The easy-going appeal and southern sensibilities proved to be too heartbreaking to leave behind for the art student’s parents, Micheal (“Jake”) and Teresa Jacobson. “My heart was set to buy what felt so wonderful,” Teresa Jacobson explains of her unwavering focus to purchase the Azalea Inn in Savannah’s historic district.
In spite of unperturbed years of devotedly entertaining the Jacobson’s and thousands of Savannah travelers, little is publicly known of the composed Huntingdon Street manor. “Our guests love the neighborly, soft-spoken persona of Azalea Inn. Our fresh endeavors will restore elements of original, distinguished architecture; bring novel focus to the manor’s inspiring history; complement the beautiful, quiet neighborhood with our fresh heritage garden landscaping; and, hopefully, inspire travelers to partake of Savannah’s soul-satisfying style of living,” the vivacious Mrs. Jacobson shares.
Four years prior, the Florida parents had been enthusiastically planning their first bed and breakfast mini-vacation to Savannah. “During four years of perhaps a dozen visits to vacation with our son, a computer science student at Savannah College of Art and Design, our spirits were lifted by the natural beauty, the friendliness, eclectic-ness, and most especially, the fascination of this breakfast inn,” describes Teresa Jacobson.
In looking at the merits to purchase the Azalea Inn, three persuasive factors influenced the energetic couple’s decision: (1) the quietude of the colonial Savannah garden district neighborhood, (2) the casually distinguished appeal of the Azalea Inn’s Victorian-era lodging, and (3) the mesmerizing southern charm of the world-famous historic district.
Fortunately, it was a kicking-up-the-leaves-time-of-year … the perfect time for landscaping and exterior painting. Micheal (“Jake’) Jacobson’s vision to landscape a 19th century heritage garden -- one well-suited to the vagaries of Savannah’s seasons -- is being brought to fruition. The Victorian-era mansion is located within two walking blocks to Forsyth Park in the Landmark Savannah Historic District, a planned segment of colonial Savannah which was formerly designated a garden district until the city’s expansion during mid-1850s.
With predilection for gourmet food and social entertaining, the Jacobson’s personalities pair well with their new venture. Micheal “Jake” Jacobson praises his wife for the smooth transition of their new ownership. “Our guests love Teresa’s bubbly disposition, her delicious southern breakfasts, and refreshing suggestions of where to enjoy a cozy lunch, elegant dinner, or a good time.” “As active innkeepers we have the opportunity to share elements of our own happy-going lifestyle with other like-minded and diverse people,” adds Mrs. Jacobson.
Rare amenities of parking space and unhurried travel access are important for the Inn’s sportive travelers –bikers, motorcyclists, extreme shoppers, fishermen, golfers, boaters, and RV traveler. “Historic Savannah showers guests with natural beauty and extraordinary prominence, so the multiplicity of reasons to choose Savannah – honeymoon, business retreat, garden and history appreciation, and soft adventure vacation – are endless,” Mr. Jacobson shares.
Meanwhile, the career paths for Nathanial Brock, BFA in Interactive Design and Game Development, and his wife, Kelley Landry Brock, BFA in Fashion from SCAD are flourishing. Another son, Joshua Brock attends San Diego State University and will study abroad in Japan for one year beginning in 2006.
“We hope that other SCAD parents and art students will discover Azalea Inn and love it, but not so much so that their fascination urges that they buy it,” concludes Teresa Jacobson with her perpetual smile. “We, absolutely, adore our new Savannah adventure.” Taking a short drive down brick-cobbled Huntingdon Street -- from Abercorn Street eastward to Lincoln – the distinguished daffodil-colored mansion conveys its own first-impression -- a timeless, historic Savannah classic … in a garden.
About Azalea Inn, a Colonial Savannah Gardens Bed and Breakfast Mansion:
Within two walking blocks of Forsyth Park, the city’s infamously verdant and captivating central park, the Azalea Inn’s Queen Anne mansion is located on the colonial Savannah gardens lands (ca. 1733) of historic Savannah. Amid the breezy quietude of the Landmark Savannah Historic District’s Huntingdon Street, relaxing southern comforts allure guests who seek a casual version of Savannah’s charming style and hospitality. The historic inn’s amenities include a southern U.S. cuisine full breakfast, courtyard garden pool, private parking, newly planted 19th century heritage garden, sociable rattan rockers under tree canopied balconies, and inviting porch verandahs. Each of the inn’s 10 guest rooms features themed décor depicting Savannah’s gardens, distinguished history, and fashionable lifestyle of the mansion’s original owner, Captain Walter K. Coney.
The Queen Anne Italianate urban manor (circa 1889), built on lands formerly designated as colonial gardening plots (ca. 1733 Georgia colonization), features original mantles and handsome craftsmanship from Savannah’s Victorian era. The period was a time of the invention of the tabulating machine; Columbia phonograph; and changing attitudes about acceptable activities for women, which made sportswear popular for women, with such notable examples as the bicycling dress and the tennis dress acceptable. The mansion’s original owner, the robust mercantile executive, Walter K. Coney – a Savannah Cotton Exchange member, Georgia Militia Captain, founding member of the Savannah Trade Association and Savannah Bank and Trust, was also a Confederate blockade runner. The beloved Captain Coney was affectionately mourned with many shops closed on the date of his funeral. 217 East Huntingdon Street, Historic Savannah, Georgia USA 31401-5714. Toll Free 800-582-3823 (within the USA). Telephone 912-236-2707. Internet www.azaleainn.com
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