A Visit to Hardman Farm Historic Site: What You Need to Know

JUMP TO: Quick Look | History of Hardman Farm | Things to See and Do | Tour the Property | Unicoi Trail | Nacoochee Indian Mound | Seasonal Events | Nearby Attractions

I’m finding the older I get, the more I enjoy learning about Georgia history and how the generations prior to us worked and lived. So when Tina and I made a trip recently to Helen, I made it a point to check out Hardman Farm Historic Site just south of town.

The historic site, operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources,  contains three prominent features worth checking out:

1. The Nacoochee Indian Mound
2. Hardman Farm Estate
3. Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail

If you’re planning on visiting Helen or the nearby area, I would highly recommend carving out a couple hours to visit the historic site.

Learn More

The History of Hardman Farm

Hardman farm was originally owned by James Hall Nichols, a captain in the Confederate army, who bought the property in 1869 and built a beautiful Italianate mansion a year later. Nichols’ daughter was Anna Ruby Nichols, the namesake of nearby Anna Ruby Falls. 

Nichols eventually sold the house and property to wealthy Atlanta businessman, Calvin Hunnicutt, who used the property as a retreat. 

It was then sold to a prominent physician, Lamartine Griffin Hardman, in 1903. Hardman eventually go into politics and served as Georgia’s governor from 1927-1931. He passed away in 1937, and his family continued to enjoy the property until donating it to the state of Georgia in 1999.

Things to See and Do at Hardman Farm

Visiting Hardman Farm is like taking a step back in time. The mansion and various outbuildings have been preserved to give you a true feel for how the various families lived and worked on the property.

The mansion is a beautiful example of Italianate style architecture that became popular in the U.S. in the 1850s. Nichols spared no expense decorating and furnishing the mansion, and many of those original pieces can still be viewed in the home today.

Tour the Property

When visiting the historic site, you have a couple of tour options. For $7 you can do a self tour of the grounds and outbuildings. The state lets you explore the outbuildings and some of the original carriages and equipment can be seen in the outbuildings. 

However, I would highly recommend spending the extra $6 per person to get the guided tour, which also gets you access to the inside of the mansion. Tina and I were on the fence about the guided tour, but it turned out to be well worth the extra expense. 

The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, and she did a great job sharing that knowledge with all of us on the tour. I really enjoyed her insight into the history of the property and the mansion. 

Aside from the mansion, the farm has 17 buildings and one ruin that can be checked out by using the many paths located on the property. The unique collection of structures were built over a 50-year period. Some of the structures still contain original fixtures and tools.

The Unicoi Trail

Though not really much to see, this was a cool piece of history found on the property. What started as a footpath used for north-south trading by Native Americans, eventually turned into the Unicoi Turnpike in the early 1800s. The Turnpike was a 12-foot wide road that led from eastern Tennessee to Augusta, Georgia.

Eventually newer, better roads were developed, and now all that’s left of the Unicoi Turnpike are remnants like that found at Hardman Farm, which is a small tree-lined gravel drive that passes by the mansion. 

Nacoochee Indian Burial Mound

When you visit Hardman Farm you can’t help but notice the out-of-place white gazebo sitting on top of a big mound in the middle of a cow pasture, just across the highway from the mansion. 

That mound is actually an ancient burial ground for native americans that dates back to between 1350 to 1600 A.D. Captain Nichols had a portion of the mound excavated by the Museum of the American Indian. They found more than 75 burials and a variety of artifacts. Once completed, the mound was rebuilt and Captain Nichols built the gazebo on top of the mound. 

Unfortunately, you can only view the mound from across the highway, as the state does not allow you to visit the actual mound. There is an interpretive panel that tells all about the mound in front of the mansion.

Seasonal Events

While Tina and I haven’t checked out any of the site’s seasonal events, they do have them at various times of the year, like Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm that happens early to mid-December. You can learn more and get tickets to those special events at https://gastateparks.org/HardmanFarm.

Nearby Attractions

• City of Helen
• Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center
• Unicoi State Park
• Anna Ruby Falls

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an aspiring photographer, or a family looking for a fun and educational outing, Hardeman Farm offers a unique and enriching experience. Come discover the blend of history, nature, and culture that makes this farm a treasure in the heart of Georgia.

Note: Always check the most up-to-date information before planning your visit, as some details may have changed after the time of this writing.