Garner Green House Restoration

The Garner Green House, which was threatened by demolition in the early 1980s, is one of the last remaining turn-of-the century neoclassical mansions that once lined State Street.

Due to its historical significance, several local individuals and organizations campaigned for its survival, and the building was physically moved across State Street to its current location in 1983. It was renovated and used as office rental space for various businesses until restored by Molpus Woodlands Group to use as its Jackson, Mississippi office.

Molpus’s extensive work was completed to restore the interior décor to its original splendor and to repair the structural integrity of the building, bringing it into compliance for its eventual listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

About the Garner Green House

Built in 1910, this house (originally located at 647 N. State Street) was designed by Jackson architect Emmet Hull for Garner W. Green, a prominent timber and oil attorney residing in Jackson.

Over the following seventy-five years, the house served as the stately home of the Green family and later as an antique store. A distinguished pioneer family, the Greens have been pivotal in the history of Jackson for five generations. The Greens were one of five or six families who developed Jackson in the early 1830s. One of Garner Green’s five children, Winifred Green Cheney, noted cook and author, relates that her father loved nature so much that he would never let Mrs. Green disturb the very active beehive in the large right front column of the house. Cheney says that she believes that column must still be full of honey.

A fire in 1984 burned the rear porch and severely charred the adjacent siding, ceilings, and roof structure. The significance of the Garner-Green House to Jackson’s past and its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places made rehabilitation and restoration the prime objective.

Restoration Project Details

The new owner wanted to preserve the house according to guidelines that would allow him rehabilitation tax credits. He also required that it be adapted for revenue-producing, leasable office space, and the design had to be flexible enough to accommodate several possible tenants.

The restoration architect’s objectives were to respectfully restore the exterior, including authentic details and colors, and preserve as many of the interior rooms, including details and materials, as possible.

These goals were complicated by the fact that the entire structure, except for the masonry chimneys, had to be moved 500 yards and lowered onto a new foundation before rehabilitation work could even begin. 

Previous fire damage had to be repaired, and the requirements of contemporary mechanical and electrical systems and the current building code had to be met without significantly altering the historical and architectural character of the house.

Contact Molpus Woodlands Group

Molpus is an active steward of both Mississippi’s Heritage as well as the lands we manage and invest in. For more information about Molpus, please contact us.