The pre-Civil War era Atlanta mansion that inspired the Twelve Oaks plantation in ‘Gone with the Wind’ will be auctioned off next month in Atlanta.
The mansion served for six years as a bed and breakfast before current owners Nicole and John Munn gave it a $2 million facelift in 2017 and shut it down for use as a private residence in November.
Now new owners will have the chance to enjoy the 10,000 square foot piece of history with 12 bedrooms and 12-and-a-half baths.
‘This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the finest and most famous historic mansions in the United States,’ the auction house managing the sale said.
Target Auction will open online bidding on Independence Day and the live auction will be held on July 25 beginning at 2pm Eastern at the estate.
The pre-Civil War era Atlanta mansion that inspired the Twelve Oaks plantation in ‘Gone with the Wind’ will be auctioned off next month in Atlanta, with online bidding opening at $1million
The mansion which is on the National Register of Historic Places was built in 1836, about 25 years before battles between the North and the South left devastated communities in their wake.
As the Union won battle after battle between 1861 and 1865, the victorious soldiers would burn the cities they passed through to the ground, and the Twelve Oaks mansion in the movie suffered a similar fate, but somehow the real-life mansion survived.
Then, nearly 100 years later, author of the original text for ‘Gone with the Wind’ Margaret Mitchell came across a picture of the estate in the 1939 Atlanta Journal and told producers of the film adaptation that she liked it for the home of Ashley Wilkes, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
. The home was built in 1836 and somehow survived being burned to the ground in the battle between the Union and the Confederacy. Then, nearly 100 years later, author of the original text for ‘Gone with the Wind’ Margaret Mitchell came across a picture of the estate in the 1939 Atlanta Journal and told producers of the film adaptation that she liked it for the home of Ashley Wilkes
The home used in the 1939 film adaptation of ‘Gone with the Wind’ is shown in a still from the movie
The interior of the set house is shown, as envisions after original ‘Gone with with Wind’ author Mitchell send photos of the Covington home to production as inspiration
Now the 10,000 square foot home with 12 bedrooms and 12-and-a-half baths is on the National Register of Historic Places. An undated file photo of the home is shown
Current owners Nicole and John Munn gave the property a $2 million facelift that was finished in 2017. The home is shown at left in close to its original state and at right, renovated
The home is located at 2176 Monticello St SW, in the Metro Atlanta suburb of Convington, Georgia
Now new owners will have the chance to enjoy the 10,000 square foot piece of history with 12 bedrooms and 12-and-a-half baths
The Wilkes plantation was named ‘Twelve Oaks’ in the book and film for the twelve great oak trees that surrounded the ‘beautiful white-columned house that crowned the hill like a Greek Temple’ in an almost perfect circle.
Nicole said she didn’t know that when she bought the house, which had fallen into extreme disrepair prior to her fixing up the place.
She has since named the property ‘Twelve Oaks’ in honor of its storied past.
. ‘This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the finest and most famous historic mansions in the United States,’ the auction house managing the sale said
The Wilkes plantation was named ‘Twelve Oaks’ in the book and film for the twelve great oak trees that surrounded the ‘beautiful white-columned house that crowned the hill like a Greek Temple’ in an almost perfect circle
. Nicole said she didn’t know that when she bought the house, which had fallen into extreme disrepair prior to her fixing up the place
Nicole has since named the property ‘Twelve Oaks’ in honor of its storied past, while updating it with modern tweaks for comfort and convenience
The Munns’ $2 million renovation was completed in 2017. During the process the mansion became as an award-winning bed and breakfast, event venue, tourist destination, and a stunning backdrop for over 15 movies
The Munns’ $2 million renovation was completed in 2017. During the process the mansion became an award-winning bed and breakfast, event venue, tourist destination, and a stunning backdrop for over 15 movies.
The completely renovated property includes a grand dining room, formal parlor, informal dining and living spaces, and chef’s dream kitchen.
Other features include hardwood floors, period lighting, 11-foot ceilings, and 12 fireplaces modernized with remote controls.
he completely renovated property includes a grand dining room, formal parlor, informal dining and living spaces, and chef’s dream kitchen
Other features include hardwood floors, period lighting, 11-foot ceilings, and 12 fireplaces modernized with remote controls
‘Everything we did was a meticulous renovation,’ Nicole said. ‘We wanted to protect the history of the house’
No matter what the new owners decide to do with the property, the mansion is a piece of history made new again
The estate combines the look of times forgotten and the conveniences of modern living, with stunning styling throughout the home
Old-fashioned claw foot bath tubs can be found throughout the property’s 12.5 bathrooms, with one bath for each bedroom
There’s also a renovated antique shower, true to the era during which the home was built, that was expertly restored with careful attention to detail. The current shower is shown at left and the ad for the original is shown at right
There’s also a renovated antique shower, true to the era during which the home was built, that was expertly restored with careful attention to detail.
‘Everything we did was a meticulous renovation,’ Nicole said. ‘We wanted to protect the history of the house.’
No matter what the new owners decide to do with the property, the mansion is a piece of history made new again with the look of times forgotten and the conveniences of modern living.
This would make a magnificent home, a lucrative business or both,’ a representative from Target Auction said
‘Operating permits for a B&B, an event venue, and a historic tourist site are already in place, and the property receives movie and TV contracts each year,’ the representative said
‘This could be a huge opportunity for someone. Just last year, the readers of Southern Living chose The Twelve Oaks for their 2018 Best of the South awards and was one of the Top 10 Inns in the US chosen by bedandbreakfast.com,’ the representative said
‘This would make a magnificent home, a lucrative business or both,’ a representative from Target Auction said.
‘Operating permits for a B&B, an event venue, and a historic tourist site are already in place, and the property receives movie and TV contracts each year. So this could be a huge opportunity for someone.
‘Just last year, the readers of Southern Living chose The Twelve Oaks for their 2018 Best of the South awards and was one of the Top 10 Inns in the US chosen by bedandbreakfast.com.’
Outdoor amenities include over three acres of garden and a massive deck with a pergola
There’s also a poolside chandelier-lit gazebo, a four-car carriage house, and the property is situated just three blocks from Town Square, making for an easy walk to the necessities of everyday life
Outdoor seating on a balcony overlooks a gazebo and the over three acres of gardens on the property
The current condition is a far cry from what the site looked like when the Munns took it over, Nicole said
‘There were boarded-up windows. There were at least 30 busted windows we replaced. There was water damage on every floor,’ Nicole said
‘One of the porches was being held up by one last nail that hadn’t rusted away. It was in really bad shape,’ Nicole said
When asked why the Munns were putting their work of art up for sale, they said: ‘We feel we’ve accomplished what we set out to do and we are ready to start a new adventure’
Outdoor amenities include over three acres of gardens, a poolside chandelier-lit gazebo and a massive deck with a pergola.
There is also a four-car carriage house, and the property is situated just three blocks from Town Square, making for an easy walk to the necessities of everyday life.
The current condition is a far cry from what the site looked like when the Munns took it over.
‘There were boarded-up windows. There were at least 30 busted windows we replaced. There was water damage on every floor,’ Nicole said.
‘One of the porches was being held up by one last nail that hadn’t rusted away. It was in really bad shape.’
The Munns said: ‘We have other business ideas we would like to pursue and another renovation might be in our future’
Nicole added: ‘This was a dream of mine and we feel we achieved it beyond our imaginations’
‘It’s beautiful, of course,’ John said. ‘But the feeling you get when you walk in the door, that’s what we’ll miss. Hopefully, it’ll treat the next person the same way’
When asked why the Munns were putting their work of art up for sale, they said: ‘We feel we’ve accomplished what we set out to do and we are ready to start a new adventure. We have other business ideas we would like to pursue and another renovation might be in our future.’
Nicole added: ‘This was a dream of mine and we feel we achieved it beyond our imaginations.’
‘It’s beautiful, of course,’ John said. ‘But the feeling you get when you walk in the door, that’s what we’ll miss. Hopefully, it’ll treat the next person the same way.’
The home is located at 2176 Monticello St SW, in the Metro Atlanta suburb of Convington, Georgia.
Online bidding for the Covington, Georgia estate will open on Independence Day and the life event will be held at the property at 2pm on July 25