Brokaw-McDougall House
A Part of the Calhoun Street Historic District
- Rules and Regulations
- Facts and History
- Floor Plan (PDF)
- Location Map (PDF)
- Photos
- Contract For Weddings & Parties (PDF)
One of the finest remaining antebellum homes in Tallahassee is the Brokaw-McDougall House. When first built in or around 1856, it was on the outskirts of town. Its original owner, Peres Bonney Brokaw, ran a prosperous livery stable business downtown, and also found time to serve in city government, the state legislature and in the Confederate Cavalry. His daughter married Alexander McDougall, then a recent immigrant from Scotland. Members of the Brokaw and McDougall families lived in the house until it was sold to the State of Florida in 1973. The state made the house available for conferences, receptions, meeting space and special events. It also served as the headquarters of the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board until May 1997. January 1998 the City of Tallahassee leased the house from the State of Florida for $1 a year and began operations and management of the facility. It continues to be used as a popular conference and event site.
Architecturally, the house is an outstanding Classical Revival building with strong Italianate influences. The formal gardens were laid out in the early 1850's prior to the construction of the main house. They were restored as a Bicentennial project of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs.
Fees & Charges - subject to 7.5% State Sales Tax, and due 30 days in advance
| Individual Room Rental - Minimum 2 Hours - Less than 50ppl | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays from 8:00am - 5:00pm | $27.25 | First Hour |
| $11.50 | Each Add'l Hour | |
| Evenings after 5:00pm and Weekends | $27.25 | First Hour |
| $16.75 | Each Add'l Hour | |
| Whole House Rental - Entire First Floor (non wedding/reception) | ||
| Weekdays from 8:00am - 5:00pm | $163.50 | 4 Hours |
| $217.50 | 8 Hours | |
| Evenings after 5:00pm and Weekends | $325.75 | 4 Hours |
| $55.25 | Each Add'l Hour | |
| Weddings and/or Receptions - Entire House and Grounds | ||
| Saturdays from 9:30am - 11:30pm | $1137.50 | 14 Hours |
| All Other Days | $569.25 | 6.5 Hours |
| $55.25 | Each Add'l Hour | |
| Contract For Weddings & Parties (PDF) | ||
| Refundable Deposit - Due at Time of Booking (no sales tax) | ||
| Up to 50 people | $50 | |
| 50 or more people | $200 | |
| Refund Policy | ||
| Deposit is refundable after your activity as long as there are no damages. If there are damages, you will be notified of any charges. Notice of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the event for a full refund, notices received less than 90 days will forfeit the refund, any cancellation received 2 weeks from the booking date or less, all monies will be kept. All notices of cancellation must be in writing. | ||
| Make Checks Payable To: | ||
| City of Tallahassee The Brokaw-McDougall House 329 North Meridian Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 |
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Rules & Regulations
We are pleased you have chosen to use the historic Brokaw-McDougall House for your event. In order to protect this historic property, we have established the following rules:
- All functions are to follow the House Rules. The relocation of house furnishings is not permitted. Due to the age of the building Disc Jockeys or dancing are not permitted indoors. There is no smoking in the House and no parking on the grass for any reason. Unloading may be done from the back yard and all hired staff vehicles should be parked in the parking lot.
- The House and Gardens may be rented from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. seven days a week. The renter shall have the premises for the hours specified in the contract. These scheduled times should include setup, event and cleanup. On occasion, we have two functions on the same day. When this occurs, the caterers and guests need to respect the following or previous party. Drop offs for the latter party will not be allowed until after the earlier party, or may be arranged through House Staff. Likewise, the earlier party will not be permitted to leave any items such as rental materials beyond the contracted time, unless arrangements can be made to accommodate. There is no additional time available between 4:00pm and 5:00 pm on a Saturday unless the whole day has been reserved.
- Decorating the building or grounds in any manner requires prior approval which shall be based on the need to protect the building and maintain its image. Candles are allowed in covered and/or contained holders only. (i.e. votive candles or candles in completely contained holder, or hurricane globes). All decorations, flower arrangements, trees, ferns or bushes rented must be removed at the end of the event. Proper containment of liquids needs to be considered for the glass top tables or floors.
- The party renting the facility shall provide all food, flower arrangements, dishes, linen, tableware, and other items needed for the event. House staff will always be on hand to assist but their primary responsibility is the house. They should not be regarded as waiters or waitresses, bartenders, or kitchen help. All caterers should come with a full complement of staff.
- The furniture and paintings in The Brokaw-McDougall House are rare and should be treated as such. The paintings and the furniture should not be moved, nor are they to be used as support for any decorations requiring tape or tacks. Likewise, the walls are not to be marred with tape or tacks. If there is a question regarding decorations, please contact the house staff.
- The linen required for the tables is not available at the house. Most of the tables are standard sizes making linens easily obtained from most local rental companies. The glasses, cups, etc., available at the house are free to the guest for the party but should be cleaned and returned to the appropriate place.
- If you plan to use tents, they may only be used in the designated areas with prior approval. All tents must be erected during a prearranged time, please have your tent company call the house staff to arrange this.
- Any items rented from a rental company are to be set up by the rental company, caterer, or the guest. The House Staff cannot be responsible for this service. The chairs in the house are to be left in the house; they do not go outside. To protect the floors, the rental of additional tables and chairs must be approved and coordinated with the house staff.
- Professionally licensed caterers are highly recommended to assist with your food services. They are expected to provide their own supplies such as garbage bags, detergents, paper towels, etc., needed to keep the House in good order. There are no serving pieces or cooking pans available at the house. Please pick-up any trash and leave the areas used by your group clean. Spills must be cleaned up immediately. Since various liquids can be harmful to the foliage please do not throw liquids or ice in the gardens.
- The kitchen and all areas used by the party are to be cleaned at the conclusion of the function. This includes any service or preparatory areas as well. The last load of dishes may be left running in the dishwasher, all other items should be cleaned and put away. If food is to be served, arrangements should be made at the time of the booking to reserve the kitchen. The kitchen floor should be swept and mopped at the end of the event if necessary.
- Alcoholic beverages can be served but not sold in designated areas of the House and Gardens. It is the renters or caterer's responsibility to arrange for the bartenders. Kegs of beer and bars are permitted on the porch or grounds of the property, but not in the house. The bartender must remove all bottles, cans (to recycle bins), and garbage (to trash cans) from the bar. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly limited to the property. We urge all visitors to use good judgment and moderation in the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Please designate a driver who will not be drinking. You should also be sure no minors (by I.D. checks if necessary) are served and that consumption levels are not excessive.
- Since rice has been found to be harmful to birds please make plans to use birdseed for wedding celebrations. Sparklers and open flame torches are NOT to be used inside or outside of the house at anytime.
- Since we are located in a neighborhood, all parties must be shut down by 11:00 p.m. Music, especially outside, must be kept at a reasonable level and will be monitored by the staff on hand.
- Please note that there is a wheelchair lift in the back of the house for your use.
We do not guarantee any of the numbers listed below as items sometimes get lost or broken. Please call in advance of your party to verify what we have on hand.
- The house has available, for your use, some tables and chairs. Tables may be used indoors or outside on porches, all chairs are to remain indoors.
• 8 - 60" round tables, 2 - 48" round tables, 8 - 6' banquet tables, 4 - 8' banquet tables
• 4 - 36" square tables, 35 gray folding chairs, 12 padded dining room chairs
• 40 - padded chairs (green and maroon), 8 - 6' x 18" tables (for classroom style seating) - Large Dining Room Table measures 12 ½' long x 4' wide. x 2 1/2' High. This table may NOT be moved. 2 - 8' tablecloths will cover it.
Facts and Figures
Through archaeological investigation, the earliest inhabitants on the property are believed to have been Apalachee Indians who had a settlement in the area between 1650 and 1750. In 1825, the property was part of a grant of land given to the Marquis de Lafayette by the U.S. Congress in appreciation for his assistance during the Revolutionary War.
Peres Bonney Brokaw came to Tallahassee in 1840 at the age of twenty-six. A native of New Jersey, he acquired a business partner and established a livery stable business in Tallahassee. He went on to serve both city and state government and during the Civil War served in the Confederate Cavalry.
In 1850, Brokaw married Cornelia O. Tatum from Jackson County, the same year he and his business partner acquired the land on which the Brokaw-McDougall House sits. It is believed that shortly after acquiring the land, Brokaw began planting the live oak trees for the formal garden. Rumors abound that the garden was designed by a landscape architect from New York, but no evidence has ever been found.
Construction began on the house around 1856, and it took about four years to build. Local residents said that this two story wood frame building cost around $6,000 to construct. The building is Classical Revival in its form, with its emphasis on symmetry and its six Corinthian columns at the front porch. It also has a strong Italianate influence, as shown in the Brackets under the eaves and the picturesque cupola atop the roof. The architect, if any, and builder are unknown.
The original smoke house, located just to the rear side of the house, is believed to predate the house and still exists on the remaining two acre property. Evidence of a detached kitchen can also be seen in the back of the house where a slight elevation remains in the ground today. The current kitchen area was added in the mid twentieth century.
Costing $960.00 and comprising of one quarter section of land when purchased, the Brokaw's cultivated the eastern portion of their property for compact farming, producing cotton, corn, sweet potatoes, rice and peas.The Brokaw's constructed their house along Miccosukee Road. Miccosukee Road was a well traveled trade route that accommodated the owners of large plantations located in rural eastern Leon County. Today it is a nationally designated canopy road.Peres Brokaw's first wife, Cornelia, died during the Civil War, and he married her sister Elizabeth. Peres died in 1875 and three years later his daughter, Phebe married Alexander McDougall of Scotland. In a twist of fate, upon Phebe's death, Alexander married her sister, Eliza, in 1884. Their son, Peres Brokaw-McDougall, married Emma Trammell in 1914. Emma was governor Park Trammell's sister. Their wedding was described in the Tallahassee True Democrat as "a beautiful home wedding and was held at the first governor's mansion".Members of the Brokaw-McDougall family lived in the house until it was sold to the State of Florida in 1973. Very few alterations had been made to the building over the years, and it remains a fine example of antebellum architecture.
Interesting features inside include 14 foot ceilings, plaster molding and medallions on the ceiling, ornate gas light fixtures that were converted to electricity around the turn of the century, immense pocket doors between the rooms and massive lumber used to construct the house, as well as a picturesque view of the formal garden and surrounding area. The attic contains an indoor cistern which provided gravity-fed indoor plumbing.
Some of the current furnishings consist of a collection of Territorial pieces which are, mostly, on loan to the state.
The formal gardens feature massive live oak trees and many varieties of camellias including an Aunt Jetty. Several are said to be over one hundred years old and some are the first camellia trees planted in Tallahassee.