In 1864, Americans celebrated the first officially designated Thanksgiving as we know it today, on the fourth Thursday of November. President Lincoln had proclaimed the holiday as a means of national healing, though on that very date [24 November 1864], General William T. Sherman and his forces entered Washington County as they pushed toward Savannah. Two days later, the troops made camp in a meadow across from this house, then known as Woodland Terrace. General Sherman is said to have chosen the house for his temporary headquarters for its large size and the view of Sandersville it afforded from its elevation.

Built by Nathan Haynes circa 1850 and originally christened Woodland Terrace, it was purchased by William Gainer Brown in 1860. His descendants remained in the house until the 1970s. Commanding a high ridge overlooking the beautiful North Harris Street neighborhood it’s quite imposing from any angle. Today, it’s home to the Washington County Historical Society and is open to the public as the Brown House Museum. It is well furnished with a large collection of period furnishings and other domestic antiques.

North Harris Street Historic District, National Register of Historic Places