1. Rose Lawn House Museum
Rachel carter

2. The original home was designed and built in the 1860s by Nelson Gilreath, a local merchant in Bartow County
The home was a ne story structure with an attic
The attic was converted to bedrooms in 1872
Humble Beginnings

3. Purchased by Samuel Porter Jones in the 1880s
Methodist minister, revivalist, and evangelist
Influential in the community and surrounding areas
Build YMCA buildings, churches, and tabernacles
Founded Sam Jones Female College (later became the home of Cartersville High School until 1953)
Converted Tom Ryman who built Ryman's Union Gospel Tabernacle
The home of the Grand Ole Opry
Church in Cartersville was renamed to honor him (Sam Jones United Methodist Church)
Laura McElwain Jones
Reverend Sam Jones

4. Major construction began in 1895
Upon purchasing the home a two story wing was added to the rear of the house
Major construction began in 1895
The existing two floors were raised to add a third floor and basement
Additions to the home included:
10 feet double doors
12 feet ceilings
A parlor
A family music room (sitting room)
A library
2 dining rooms
A kitchen
Construction cost $110.00
Construction

5. Victorian Mansion © Rose Lawn Museum
The home became an 18-room mansion with an estate that housed seven outbuildings and 200 rose bushes
The elegant home was considered an architectural wonder at the time
Outbuildings included:
A smoke house
Barbecue house
School house/study
additional kitchen
Carriage house
Servants quarters
Greenhouse
Rose Lawn was named for the rose bushes that bloomed on the property
© Rose Lawn Museum

6. The carriage house along with the school house, and smoke house are the only outbuildings on the property today.
© Rose Lawn Museum
Carriage house

7. From the Jones’ to the Cole’s1
Sam Jones passed in 1906 2
Laura continued to live on the estate until her passing in 1927 3
The mansion was purchased by Emried Dargon Cole, who brought along his young wife Marie Gilreath Cole 4
Marie lived in the mansion after his passing and she remarried for the first time to Madison Bell and then later Guy Parmenter 5
Marie owned the estate for about 40 years 6
She traveled across the U.S. and Europe and use the house to showcase items collected 7
During Marie’s ownership an elevator and reflection pool was added to the property 8
Marie Cole-Bell-Parmenter passed in 1968

8. Vacant years © Rose Lawn Museum
Rose Lawn remain vacant for several years
During this time the home was destroyed by vandals
Citizens took up the mantle to save the home and successfully got Rose Lawn placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973
Olin Tatum, the Bartow County Commissioner at the time began fundraising efforts to renovate and make it possible for Rose Lawn to become a house museum
The estate was purchased by Bartow County in
Houses the writing and memorabilia of Sam Jones and Rebecca Latimer Felton (first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate)
© Rose Lawn Museum

9. Inside the Mansion Ministry Room Original Kitchen on 2nd Floor
Sam and Laura’s Bedroom
Inside the Mansion
Original Kitchen on 2nd Floor
Rebecca Latimer Felton Room

10. Rose Lawn is the host of several events including weddings, the May Market, a 5k run, and Arts Festival
Saturday, Sept. 16, a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17, p.m.

11. Interested in visiting
Located at:
224 W. Cherokee Avenue
Cartersville, GA 30120
Tours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 10 a.m p.m. and 1- 5 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m p.m. 
Admission:
Adults $7, Students (12 & under) $2  Special events scheduled by appointment only.

12. Websites