Macon Magazine

1: Federal/Regency e Dr. Ambrose Baber House, 577 Walnut St., circa 1827-30, National Register of Historic Places IN THE YEARS AF TER THE AMERICAN REVOLU TION, building construction followed the earlier English style of Neoclassical, a movement inspired by the archaeological discoveries of Roman domestic architecture. Such design is variously referred to in this country as Federal or Adamesque, after its chief practitioner Robert Adam. Nonetheless, the style was transmitted to America and the coastal cities of the South through pattern books and immigrant builders trained in these forms. Late examples of a related, refined style are called Regency. e Regency movement came to Savannah primarily through works by the British architect William Jay. Arguably Macon's oldest in-situ example of sophisticated architectural design, 577 Walnut St., reflects the crosscurrents of the above styles and can be likened to contemporary examples in Savannah and Charleston of a true "Regency Villa." Set within a large lot and upon a raised basement floor, the principal two levels of five bays are rigidly symmetrical with a central, projecting pavilion capped by a pediment. e house has lost most of its original interior fabric, especially its entry hall that boasted a pilastered archway and a stunning circular staircase. e exterior stucco façade is largely original, having interspersed tie rods with molded caps (in Charleston called "earthquake bolts"), belt coursing above the basement floor and a semicircular inset for the front doorway. Certain features have been removed, notably the original open porch with its handsome masonry double staircase and wrought iron railing. e front portico and the wing on the west end were added during mid-20th century renovations. e low hipped roof is original in form and was once surmounted by a cupola or balustraded walk. Virginian Dr. Ambrose Baber came to Macon by the early 1820s, setting up his medical practice and becoming a principal founder of Christ Episcopal Church across the street. Appointed as a diplomat to Italy by President John Tyler from 1841-44, his 1846 death resulted from accidentally ingesting cyanide after filling a patient prescription in error. 76 maconmagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2020

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