The Caldwell Revived: A residence is transformed for public use
Within the heart of Abbeville’s downtown community is the Caldwell House, one of the city’s largest older homes, built in 1908 for local contractor Vernon Caldwell. It was reportedly the first brick residence in Abbeville and is significant in the area of architecture as a landmark in the early 20th-century residential heritage of the parish.
Known locally as the “castle” or the Caldwell mansion, the house is an architectural landmark to even the most casual observer, due principally to its distinctive massing and grand villa-like appearance.
The two-story, five-bedroom residence, which earned a listing on the National Registry of Historic Places, displays elements of the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles. The façade is anchored at each corner with a turret-like projection. Guests take their morning coffee and evening cocktails on the deep, graceful porches with their wicker armchairs and cast-iron bistro sets. The Caldwell’s original exterior double-layer brick walls received a stucco overlay during the 1920s, and the roof was resurfaced in tiles, giving the house the overall character of a Mediterranean Revival villa.
The defining feature of the interior is its central hall and cross hall configuration; this plan is repeated on the second floor. The home’s stairway rises to a large landing in a single flight from the point where the central and cross halls meet, then reverses upon itself to rise in two parallel flights to the second floor. The graceful, welcoming front entrance features a transom and sidelights surmounted by a jack arch with a keystone.
The interior of the home retains the decorative etched metal ceilings, doors, and wooden wainscoting. Another interior feature of interest includes two working sets of pocket doors, designed for prime ventilation. Photos of the original owners adorn the graceful, wide center hall, which is flanked by an elegant parlor surrounded by bay windows and a dining room on one side, and a master suite with a double Jacuzzi bath and a fireplace on the other.
Over the past ten years, the Caldwell has been magnificently restored and renovated to recapture its former glory, with classic gardens enhancing the property. The old-fashioned frame kitchen (which was added to the rear of the structure in the 1920s) has been updated with a six burner Thermidor, two ovens, two dishwashers, and a Sub-zero refrigerator and freezer. Outside the back door, which leads to a garden, gas lanterns flicker over the lawn as the sun descends.
Last year the residence was transformed into a bed and breakfast and a place for exclusive rentals and special events. It is especially popular for weddings and pre-bridal gatherings, but has also been used to house a New Orleans law firm for a week and for class reunions. If you are in the area, this is a good month to visit the Caldwell, which will be open for tours during Christmas celebrations that include a festival of lights and special activities surrounding the town square (call the Caldwell at 337-892-6735 for the tour schedule). Abbeville is especially festive during the holiday season; there is a Christmas shop downtown near the courthouse worth perusing.
Owners Mark and Darlene Frederick, who live in Rhode Island and were married at the Caldwell in November, decided to purchase the property and open it up to the public last year. Mark is originally from Abbeville; Darlene grew up in the New York area. “We fell in love with the beauty, the detail, and the quality of the house,” explains Becky. “We were visiting for the weekend in honor of Mark’s mother’s 70th birthday, and were just on a walk through the town when we saw the for sale sign on it. We had been speaking of contributing to the rejuvenation of downtown Abbeville post-Katrina,” she says.
Instead of furnishing the Caldwell with antiques, the couple decided to go with French Provincial-style furniture. “I liked going towards a modern, classical look because I think that the house, with the changes it underwent, is not so Victorian.” Other minor changes the Fredericks have made include the enhancement of the gardens.
“On the east garden, which is a long, rectangular open lawn, we extended a serpentine brick pathway that now forms the processional for the weddings that are held. We have added additional lighting so that the evening ceremonies are in a cozy glow.” Brides enter the pathway through an arbor strewn with lights and follow the serpentine path fragrant with flowers.
On the west side is a small wooden arbor with twinkling lights and a swing, the perfect place to relax and reflect. When standing on the second floor balcony overlooking the arbor and swing, there is a lovely view of the historic Episcopal chapel next door, with its stained glass windows illuminated at night. You can hear the church bells peal and look out over the quiet streets of Abbeville in the moonlight.
“One of the features we added was to make one of the upstairs bedrooms a bridal dressing suite,” Darlene says. A large standing floor mirror, a nook for the wedding gown, and a deep daybed for the bridesmaids enhance the airy room. “A couple can return to stay in the bridal suite; they don’t have to have their wedding here. We consider ourselves a complement to other businesses,” Darlene comments.
“We are constantly having people thank us for reviving the Caldwell. There are many people involved in the historic preservation and the revival of downtown Abbeville. Buildings are being restored,” Darlene says. “Now, we are seeing decorators and artists and boutiques slowly coming back into town. We consider ourselves a part of that.” ✦
