One of Georgia’s most distinguished structures, the Johnston-Felton-Hay House in Macon was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974. It was built from 1855 to 1859 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, a marked contrast to the more restrained Greek Revival architecture of the antebellum period.

The 18,000-square-foot mansion spans four levels and is crowned by a three-story cupola. Commissioned by imaginative owners and constructed by the most skillful workers of the time, its technological amenities were unsurpassed in the mid-19th century: hot and cold running water, central heat, a speaker-tube system, in-house kitchen and an elaborate ventilation system.

Only two families lived in Hay House over three generations. Most of the museum’s furnishings date from the Hay family’s occupancy (1926-1962). A few pieces are from the Johnston family (1860-1896), most notably the Eastlake-style dining room suite. The most important piece in the collection may be the 1857 marble statue, "Ruth Gleaning," by American expatriate sculptor Randolph Rogers.

The Johnstons
William Butler Johnston was no typical nineteenth-century Southerner. He obtained his substantial wealth through investments in banking, railroads and public utilities rather than from the agrarian cotton economy. In 1851, he married Anne Clark Tracy, 20 years his junior, and the two embarked on an extended honeymoon in Europe. During their trip, the Johnston's visited hundreds of museums, historic sites and art studios. They collected fine porcelains, sculptures and paintings as mementos of their Grand Tour. The Johnston's were inspired by the Italian architecture they observed and, upon their return to America, constructed a monumental Italian Renaissance Revival mansion in Macon.

The Feltons
Completed in 1859 and called the "Palace of the South," the residence was decorated and furnished in accordance with wealth and good taste. It became a beloved home for the Johnston's, their daughters and their extended family. After the death of Mrs. Johnston in 1896, daughter Mary Ellen and her husband William H. Felton lived in the house. They remodeled and redecorated parts of the house, updated the plumbing and added electricity.

The Hays
After the deaths of Judge and Ms. Felton in 1926, Felton heirs sold the house to Parks Lee Hay, founder of the Banker's Health & Life Insurance Company. The Hays substantially redecorated the house to reflect the changing character of twentieth-century living, and the house at 934 Georgia Avenue continued to be recognized as a local landmark for gracious living during the Hay ownership.

After Mrs. Hay's death in 1962, her heirs established the P.L. Hay Foundation and operated the house as a private house museum. In 1977, ownership of the house was formally transferred to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The house has been operated by the Trust since that time and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

College Hill Hotels near Macon

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1842 Inn

College Hill

REID

P10,049 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 12 - Jan 13

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

8.9 km from College Hill

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P5,156 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 26 - Jan 27

avid hotel Macon North by IHG

8.2 km from College Hill

Donna

P5,612 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 18 - Jan 19

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Macon

11 km from College Hill

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P6,361 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 18 - Jan 19

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Macon West

8.5 km from College Hill

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P6,538 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 12 - Jan 13

Best Western Riverside Inn

3.6 km from College Hill

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P5,511 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 11 - Jan 12

Tru By Hilton Macon North, GA

13.4 km from College Hill

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P7,133 total

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Jan 23 - Jan 24

Garner Hotel Macon West by IHG

12.4 km from College Hill

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P5,605 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 12 - Jan 13

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon West

8.5 km from College Hill

Charles

P6,819 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 13 - Jan 14

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Macon - I-475 By IHG

8.2 km from College Hill

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P7,485 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 25 - Jan 26

Homewood Suites by Hilton Macon-North

13.5 km from College Hill

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P9,348 total

includes taxes & fees

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In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Red Roof Inn & Suites Macon

4.9 km from College Hill

Angie

P4,320 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 13 - Jan 14

Comfort Inn Warner Robins - Robins Air Force Base Area

24.6 km from College Hill

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P5,115 total

includes taxes & fees

Feb 1 - Feb 2

Courtyard by Marriott Macon

9 km from College Hill

Brittney

P7,144 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 14 - Jan 15

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Macon North, GA

8.9 km from College Hill

John

P5,579 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 11 - Jan 12

The Woodward Hotel

Macon Historic District, 1.1 km from College Hill

christopher

Premium bedding, down comforters, pillowtop beds, in-room safe

Best Western Inn & Suites

21.9 km from College Hill

Stephen

P5,196 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 25 - Jan 26

Hampton Inn & Suites Macon I-475

8.1 km from College Hill

Erica

P9,233 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 18 - Jan 19

Courtyard by Marriott Warner Robins

24.6 km from College Hill

Dulce

P8,431 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 16 - Jan 17

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Byron by IHG

21.8 km from College Hill

Brianna

P7,103 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 16 - Jan 17

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Where to stay in College Hill

Find the best College Hill areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most.

Macon showing a city and a statue or sculpture

Macon Historic District

While visiting Macon Historic District, you might make a stop by sights like Hay House and Tubman Museum.

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Ingleside Historic District

When in Ingleside Historic District, you can plan a visit to The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Museum of Arts and Sciences, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

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Vineville Historic District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Vineville Historic District and surrounding area, you can visit The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Hay House.

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Pleasant Hill Historic District

When in Pleasant Hill Historic District, you can plan a visit to The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Hay House, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

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Shirley Hills Historic District

Though Shirley Hills Historic District might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Macon Coliseum and The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House.

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Top College Hill Hotel Reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Macon

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Frequently asked questions

What's it like in College Hill?

Travelers will be sure to find plenty to entertain them in Macon's College Hill neighborhood. Be sure to check out Hay House and Ocmulgee Heritage Trail as part of your College Hill travel plans.

What's a favorite hotel to stay in College Hill?

Based on Expedia customer reviews, 1842 Inn is the highest ranked property in College Hill. This B&B offers free breakfast and free parking.

How many hotels are there in the College Hill area?

Expedia has 27 hotels and other accommodations in College Hill to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Macon area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in College Hill, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most room reservations are refundable provided that you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of the scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you might be able to still cancel and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to view top deals in College Hill.

What is there to do around this Macon neighborhood?

Hay House, Sidney Lanier Cottage, and Cannonball House feature captivating exhibits to peruse while you're checking out College Hill. You could also plan a visit to Ocmulgee Heritage Trail or Carmichael House while you're in the neighborhood. Tattnall Square Tennis Center, Macon City Auditorium, and Otis Redding Foundation are just a few of the places to visit in and around College Hill. Grand Opera House and Riverside Cemetery are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Macon.

College Hill Hotels near Macon

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Our top choices for College Hill hotels

1842 Inn

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

avid hotel Macon North by IHG

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Macon

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Macon West

Best Western Riverside Inn

Tru By Hilton Macon North, GA

Garner Hotel Macon West by IHG

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon West

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Macon - I-475 By IHG

Homewood Suites by Hilton Macon-North

Red Roof Inn & Suites Macon

Comfort Inn Warner Robins - Robins Air Force Base Area

Courtyard by Marriott Macon

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Macon North, GA

The Woodward Hotel

Best Western Inn & Suites

Hampton Inn & Suites Macon I-475

Courtyard by Marriott Warner Robins

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Byron by IHG

Where to stay in College Hill

Macon Historic District

Ingleside Historic District

Vineville Historic District

Pleasant Hill Historic District

Shirley Hills Historic District

Top College Hill Hotel Reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Macon

Frequently asked questions