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.

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1842 Inn

College Hill

REID

₹15,828 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Jan - 20 Jan

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

8.9 km from College Hill

Kamelia

₹7,854 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Jan - 27 Jan

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Macon

11 km from College Hill

Steven

₹9,689 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

avid hotel Macon North by IHG

8.2 km from College Hill

Marika

₹8,331 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Jan - 20 Jan

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Macon North, GA

8.9 km from College Hill

Katherine

₹8,503 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Jan - 20 Jan

Best Western Riverside Inn

3.6 km from College Hill

Lawrence

₹8,394 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Jan - 14 Jan

Tru By Hilton Macon North, GA

13.4 km from College Hill

Herbert

₹11,131 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Feb - 3 Feb

Homewood Suites by Hilton Macon-North

13.5 km from College Hill

John

₹14,240 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Garner Hotel Macon West by IHG

12.4 km from College Hill

Edward

₹8,539 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jan - 15 Jan

Superior Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Jetted Tub | In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Red Roof Inn & Suites Macon

4.9 km from College Hill

Angie

₹6,581 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Jan - 19 Jan

Hampton Inn & Suites Macon I-75 North

8.3 km from College Hill

Diane

₹12,439 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Jan - 20 Jan

The Woodward Hotel

Macon Historic District, 1.1 km from College Hill

Shane

Sleep Inn Macon I-75

8.5 km from College Hill

Evelyne

₹6,568 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Jan - 14 Jan

Comfort Inn & Suites - near Robins Air Force Base Main Gate

27.2 km from College Hill

Janice

₹9,705 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jan - 15 Jan

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Macon West

8.5 km from College Hill

Esrie

₹9,960 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Jan - 15 Jan

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

8.2 km from College Hill

William

₹11,401 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Jan - 19 Jan

Premium bedding, down duvets, pillow-top beds, in-room safe

Best Western Inn & Suites

21.9 km from College Hill

Stephen

₹7,915 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Premium bedding, desk, iron/ironing board, free cots/infant beds

Comfort Suites near Robins Air Force Base

25.1 km from College Hill

Cynthia

₹11,183 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Jan - 19 Jan

Comfort Inn & Suites Macon West

8.3 km from College Hill

Elsa

₹10,468 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Jan - 14 Jan

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon West

8.5 km from College Hill

Charles

₹10,193 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Jan - 16 Jan

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Where to stay in College Hill

Find the best College Hill areas 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

While Ingleside Historic District may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Museum of Arts and Sciences.

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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

While there might not be top attractions in Pleasant Hill Historic District, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Hay House.

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Shirley Hills Historic District

Though Shirley Hills Historic District may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Hay House and Macon Coliseum.

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Top College Hill Hotel Reviews

Hotel Forty Five, Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Great staff, very clean and generous room size"

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Macon North, GA

10/10 Excellent

"Prea and the other lady that checked me in were so nice along with all the other staff. Breakfast was amazing and they had plenty. Didn't check out the pool but it looked nice. As far as the room, OUTSTANDING!! Massive pet friendly room with a door to separate so you essentially get 2 rooms with a shared bathroom like a dorm but all to yourself. I will be back."

Frequently asked questions

What's it like in College Hill?

Travellers will be sure to find plenty to entertain them in Macon's College Hill neighbourhood. Make sure that you visit Hay House and Ocmulgee Heritage Trail as part of your College Hill travel plans.

What's the best accommodation 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 will I be able to find in the College Hill area?

Expedia has 27 hotels and other accommodation options 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! Most hotel reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel prior to the hotel's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Add dates, click "Search", then use the filter option "fully refundable" to review the best deals available in College Hill.

What is there to do around this Macon neighbourhood?

Hay House, Sidney Lanier Cottage and Cannonball House feature captivating exhibits to peruse while you're exploring College Hill. You could also plan a visit to Ocmulgee Heritage Trail or Carmichael House while you're in the neighbourhood. 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.

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Our top choices for College Hill hotels

1842 Inn

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Macon

avid hotel Macon North by IHG

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Macon North, GA

Best Western Riverside Inn

Tru By Hilton Macon North, GA

Homewood Suites by Hilton Macon-North

Garner Hotel Macon West by IHG

Red Roof Inn & Suites Macon

Hampton Inn & Suites Macon I-75 North

The Woodward Hotel

Sleep Inn Macon I-75

Comfort Inn & Suites - near Robins Air Force Base Main Gate

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Macon West

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

Best Western Inn & Suites

Comfort Suites near Robins Air Force Base

Comfort Inn & Suites Macon West

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon West

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

Hotel Forty Five, Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Frequently asked questions