Ann Tyer Waddey's words show how special the Martin-Davis House is

Dru, I know that Anne or perhaps Lew sent pictures of the Martin-Davis House, but the pictures don't even show how special this venue is.

The house is more than 100 years old and is complete with wonderful antique furniture. It is spotless! We have the use of the entire house so will have lots of places to talk and catch-up. There are many rooms, at least 10 downstairs and more upstairs. Each is large with high ceilings, interesting furnishings, and fabulous old photos.

One of the photos shows different women from the family in gorgeous white long dresses showing that they were at Chattanooga High School! "Miss CHS" perhaps?

One of the three owners was a Coca Cola memorabilia collector. There is a huge room devoted just to his collection. One room is the "Civil War Room" interesting books and paintings.

I did not see upstairs, but Anne said that one room is a children's room with antique children's furniture.

There are wide front and back porches, a large screened porch, and a covered patio for lunch if the weather is good.

There are half a dozen small "outbuildings" that were built and furnished by one of the owners to exemplify an old general store, a one room school house, a doctor/lawyer's office, a blacksmith, and a remote kitchen.

All this will be open and usable for our group and they charged us nothing! Hopefully our treasury will be able to donate something or perhaps we can "pass the hat."

The property (some 400 acres, I think) is beautiful, calming, and restful. It is already green and lush looking.

The drive to the house is through St. Elmo and 20 miles on into Chattanooga Valley. St. Elmo will be a surprise to those who have not been there if years. Many of those huge old houses are being renovated and are lovely - rather like the "painted ladies" of San Francisco. The entire ride is serene and will be a change for those who are accustomed to the traffic and pace of big cities.

For $only 10/each, lunch will be simple, but more than worth the trip to have this opportunity and location.

Many thanks to those who have planned this entire birthday party for us, especially Anne Johnson and Susie Crouch. This house and Bessie Smith are both unique venues.

Ann (Tyer) Waddey