Blandwood Mansion and Gardens

Blandwood is a mansion in Greensboro, North Carolina, built with a three-story central tower and stucco exterior in Tuscan Villa style. The structure includes flanking wings and was designed by prominent architect Alexander Jackson Davis.

The building started as a simple four-room Federal farmhouse in 1795. It was later transformed and expanded when Governor John Motley Morehead made it his residence for many decades.

The name comes from the flowering elder trees that once filled the gardens on the property. Visitors can see how family members arranged their living spaces and understand the role this home played in shaping wealthy life in the region.

The property is open to visitors who wish to explore the interior rooms and grounds. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the site has multiple levels and spans several areas.

The building represented a turning point in American residential design when it introduced one of the first examples of Italian Villa style to the United States. This design approach influenced homes built across the country for generations afterward.

Location: North Carolina

Architects: Alexander Jackson Davis

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 36.06970,-79.79580

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45