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TALKING WALLS

What makes the Historic Haile Homestead unique in the Nation? 

Talking Walls!
 

The Hailes had the unusual habit of writing on their unpainted walls. Documented in 2001, the walls revealed over 12,500 words and artwork in almost in every room including the closets! The oldest dated writing was found upstairs in the Trunk Room where young Benjamin wrote his name in 1859, shortly after the house was officially completed. Writing by family members included personal observations, names of visitors, growth charts of children and grandchildren, recipes for household solutions, inventories of linens, silverware, china, business records and prose. The visitors to the weekend and holiday house parties at the turn of the 20th century were the most prolific wall writers. The walls of the Music Room and Parlor are adorned with over 150 individual writings on each wall. Several years ago, we discovered a new wall of writing which had been covered up my plasterers in the 1990s restoration! We invite you to explore this unique historic treasure where the walls speak to you through time!
 

A compilation of some of the most interesting and humorous writing from the Talking Walls is available for sale at the house.

TOUR HOURS
    Saturdays - 10 AM - 2 PM
Tours at 10:15, 11:15, 12:15 & 1:15

 

Sundays - 12 PM - 4 PM

Tours at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 & 3:15

 Any changes to our schedule will be posted here and on our Facebook page.

The 1856 house is NOT air conditioned; the Visitors Center is.

No reservations needed for regular weekend tours.

Weekdays by special appointment, $10 per person, subject to docent availability. Please schedule no less than one week in advance.  

Group rates available for groups of 10 or more.

 

 

$5 per person  

      Cash/Check/Credit Card

  Children under 12 FREE

 

Weekday tours $10 per person (under 10 people), subject to volunteer availability.

Advance notice of 1 week required.

 Group tours available by appointment. Group rate for 10 or more. 

Buses welcome!

Funded in part by

Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, FL

 

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PHYSICAL ADDRESS

8500 SW Archer Road

Gainesville, FL 32608

 

MAILING ADDRESS

4941 SW 91st Terrace

Suite 101

Gainesville, FL 32608

Phone: (352) 336-9096

Email: hailedocent@yahoo.com

The Historic Haile Homestead Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization and donations are typically tax deductible, however HHH Inc. does not give tax advice. The Historic Haile Homestead Inc. is registered with the State of Florida to solicit contributions. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION (#CH15464) AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISIT FDACS.GOV. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

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