Crown Gardens and Archives is the headquarters of Whitfield-Murray Historical Society. The charming red-brick building was originally the office of the old Crown Cotton Mills (next door). The historical society houses a small genealogical research library and sometimes Civil War artifacts. An interesting feature of the office is an atrium with a birdbath ~ it's charming to view. The surrounding gardens belong to neighboring developers and are not maintained as a public garden (hence, my 3-star rating). However, there are some nice old trees and shrubs. A historic spring house on the property is now in ruins, having been damaged during the blizzard of 1993 when the roof caved in. The site itself was earlier home to a Cherokee chief. Next door, at 701 Chattanooga Avenue, is Hamilton House, an antebellum brick home (now housing a small museum). This is a must-see for history buffs, antebellum-home fanciers, and genealogists. 2008 hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10 am - 5 pm (dtd. 11/30/08).

Crown Gardens and Archives is the headquarters of Whitfield-Murray Historical Society. The charming red-brick building was originally the office of the old Crown Cotton Mills (next door). The historical society houses a small genealogical research library and sometimes Civil War artifacts. An interesting feature of the office is an atrium with a birdbath ~ it's charming to view. The surrounding gardens belong to neighboring developers and are not maintained as a public garden (hence, my 3-star rating). However, there are some nice old trees and shrubs. A historic spring house on the property is now in ruins, having been damaged during the blizzard of 1993 when the roof caved in. The site itself was earlier home to a Cherokee chief. Next door, at 701 Chattanooga Avenue, is Hamilton House, an antebellum brick home (now housing a small museum). This is a must-see for history buffs, antebellum-home fanciers, and genealogists. 2008 hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10 am - 5 pm (dtd. 11/30/08).