Right in the heart of Little Rock, a countryside retreat is ready to take your breath away. The Dr. Morgan Smith Estate sits on 31 acres of secluded countryside that includes a private three acre lake, rolling lawns, hundred year old oak trees, magnolia trees, fountains, ducks, geese and the most modern conveniences. The Dr. Morgan Smith estate was built in 1918, and is on the National Landmark of Historic Places. Two age-old Magnolia trees sit atop the hill that Dr. Smith planted. The estate has grown to be called Magnolia Hill. At the turn of the century, it was a day’s buggy ride to downtown Little Rock. Today, the warmth of this historic home is a most convenient place for your wedding and reception. Magnolia Hill has been returned to its turn of the century charm by its current owners, Alda and Buddy Ellis.
For price quote please call Alda or Buddy Ellis.
Call 501.690.2574
or email us: aldaellis@aol.com
Call 501.690.2574
or email us: aldaellis@aol.com
Welcome!
For Weddings & Receptions
For Weddings & Receptions
Bridal Portraits - call for an appointment for your bridal portrait...in our Grand Swing, by the lake, with the carriage or on the grounds with your photographer. Mon-Thurs. only
For a day most unforgettable, let us share our inspirational setting for your special event with classic Southern elegance.
For years you knew us as Alda's Forever and Alda's Sentimental Living. We helped retailers and brides all across the country get ready for the special day, for we love gracious entertaining.
And now we can be your venue ! ...for a fairy tale wedding & reception.
For years you knew us as Alda's Forever and Alda's Sentimental Living. We helped retailers and brides all across the country get ready for the special day, for we love gracious entertaining.
And now we can be your venue ! ...for a fairy tale wedding & reception.
HIT COUNTER
www.simplydigitalmemories.com
www.serenitysunrisephotography.com
Magnolia Hill, Invites you to join
The Pulaski County Historical Society
The Pulaski County Historical Society
A Letter of Welcome...
We welcome you to join our Sunday afternoon monthly PCHS meetings . As the fourth owner and caretaker of Magnolia Hill, the Dr. Morgan Smith estate, a job we do joyously, the history of this estate was recently the focus of the November meeting. Dr, Morgan Smith was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on March 8, 1868, the son of a planter and state senator with considerable influence in Union County and South Arkansas. His father was a colonel in the Confederate army. Married in 1890, he and his wife moved to Little Rock and reopened his practice. Dr. Smith was charming, sympathetic, and humorous as he sported a goatee. His personal credo to medical students was: “rise early, live close to nature, have high ideals, take less medicine, and more advice.”
The Dr. Morgan Smith house was built in 1918 in the Craftsman style. Dr. Smith as a well respected and successful physician in the state built and used the home for both his living quarters and an office. The home sits on a hill overlooking one of Arkansas’ oldest roadways. During the Civil War, Union Forces occupied the Ten Mile House which is a few miles down the road. Stagecoach Road was then known as Military Road. On the Smith grounds, a few bullets and even a cannonball has been found, believed to be from the nearby Battle of Brodie Creek.
Embracing a Jeffersonian ideal, Smith constructed his ample home on a large property in a rural setting surrounded by farms. The architect is believed to be John Parks Almand. The stonework on the home was recovered from cobblestone streets in downtown Little Rock as they prepared to brick them. The house is noted for being the best example of Craftsman architecture in this area of the South.
A native of El Dorado Arkansas, Dr. Smith graduated from Tulane University. Considered by many to be Arkansas’ first Pediatrician, he was Dean of the Medical School from 1912 to 1916 and noted for obtaining the Old State House for use of a medical school as the legislators moved into the brand new Arkansas State Capitol building.
In 1947 the house was sold to Dr. Lester M. Hill. In 1960, Atley and Betty Davis bought the house, and asked carpenter Cooley Mason to update the kitchen cabinets...never knowing that his daughter would someday be the owner. We the current owners, Alda and W.G. “Buddy” Ellis purchased it in 1980 and have raised our two boys underneath the cloak of history. It is our joy in sharing this bit of heritage with you, as the Dr. Morgan Smith house whispers of a time gone by, and yet offers a bridge to the future.
Pen & Ink by Richard DeSpain
All of our Saturday and Sunday weddings INCLUDE the horse and carriage as part of the venue.
Also, a White Dove Release is included as seen on
"The Bachelor Wedding"!
Also, a White Dove Release is included as seen on
"The Bachelor Wedding"!
The venue includes Brides Dressing room featuring antique triple mirror. Grooms Dressing quarters feature antique pool table and big screen TV. The estate is complete with an outdoor full kitchen for our caterer. Ordained minister is available if needed. Shepherds hooks for decorating are included. Venue includes all seating for ceremony on hand-hewn cypress bench style seating. Reception tables and chairs are included in the venue as well. There are flowers on the grounds of the estate and the only flowers really needed are the bridal bouquet and bridal party flowers.
The seated guests watch as the bride comes from the back side of the lake to the altar with music of the London Symphony Orchestra from outdoor speakers. The ceremony ends with a white dove release. The doves may be released from a white heart shaped basket and they circle over the lake as guests oooh and aaaah. The couple walks back up the aisle as they both get in the horse and carriage to sign the marriage license on the front porch and begin the reception.
The reception area is covered and full of twinkle lights overlooking the lake. Tables and chairs are included with the venue for your guests. Linens are included as well. Our Grand Swing is for a unique bridal portrait or engagement portrait of the couple,and is complimentary with booking.
The seated guests watch as the bride comes from the back side of the lake to the altar with music of the London Symphony Orchestra from outdoor speakers. The ceremony ends with a white dove release. The doves may be released from a white heart shaped basket and they circle over the lake as guests oooh and aaaah. The couple walks back up the aisle as they both get in the horse and carriage to sign the marriage license on the front porch and begin the reception.
The reception area is covered and full of twinkle lights overlooking the lake. Tables and chairs are included with the venue for your guests. Linens are included as well. Our Grand Swing is for a unique bridal portrait or engagement portrait of the couple,and is complimentary with booking.
Classic Southern Elegance...
A very special thank you to
AT HOME ARKANSAS
for featuring us on the cover as part of Dream Weddings,
and a six page article on Magnolia Hill !
AT HOME ARKANSAS
for featuring us on the cover as part of Dream Weddings,
and a six page article on Magnolia Hill !
Unforgettable Ceremony ...
in a Storybook Setting
in a Storybook Setting
Included in the venue is our lead crystal chandelier that hangs from the curly bark willow tree over the stone altar.A pair of traditional candelabra
are furnished as well. A heart shaped basket is opened at the end of the ceremony to create a dramatic ending to your wedding ceremony as our white doves are released to fly over the lake. They circle spectacularly overhead as guests ooooh and aaaaah ....and yes, the doves eventually return to their nearby aviary home after their spectacular display.
The chandelier is lit for the ceremony and quite unexpected as it offers a soft romantic glow into the evening reception. The ceremony area offers a palette for inspiration and celebrating in style. We infuse a country style wedding with Southern elegance and charm here at Magnolia Hill. Our venue offers intimate details that capture the joy of the celebration. From our classic red barn to our historic front porch, we have a spectrum of decorative possibilities to personalize your wedding.
The chandelier is lit for the ceremony and quite unexpected as it offers a soft romantic glow into the evening reception. The ceremony area offers a palette for inspiration and celebrating in style. We infuse a country style wedding with Southern elegance and charm here at Magnolia Hill. Our venue offers intimate details that capture the joy of the celebration. From our classic red barn to our historic front porch, we have a spectrum of decorative possibilities to personalize your wedding.
http://www.athomearkansas.com/At-Home-Arkansas/At-Home-Weddings/Fall-2009/Wedding-Fairy-Tale/Wedding-Fairy-Tale/
Thank you to AT HOME ARKANSAS for featuring us...You may have to copy and paste the above link to go to At Home Arkansas Weddings
Thank you to AT HOME ARKANSAS for featuring us...You may have to copy and paste the above link to go to At Home Arkansas Weddings
Magnolia Hill.wmv Click on the carriage pict below and enjoy a glimpse of our day. Memorable moments are our specialty, as we set the stately stage for your wedding with us.
The most professional production staff
of VTN spent the day shooting with us for one of their television shows.
Step back in time as we share the day at Magnolia Hill with Delilah the
carriage horse, Buddy and our Magnolia Hill white doves.
Magnolia Hill
is a historic wedding and reception venue on 31 acres for story-book
weddings complete a chandelier from the willow tree and with horse and
carriage. The doves, a symbol of the Holy Spirit offer a blessing as
they circle from above.
To end your story book wedding day, we offer a fireworks spectacular over the lake that you and your guests will remember forever. Check out our FIREWORKS page!
www.serenitysunrisephotography.com
www.serenitysunrisephotography.com
Magnolia Hill...
"Where the past and future gather."
"Where the past and future gather."
The Elegant Exit
The dinner and dancing are over. Everyone lines the exit area with handfuls of birdseed to toss as the bride and groom walk to their limo. The couple is driven down the long circle driveway, and towards a gold, glittery, and elegant aerial display. To everyone’s surprise, every 20 feet, a 12-foot gold fountain of sparks rises into the air as the limo passes.
The dinner and dancing are over. Everyone lines the exit area with handfuls of birdseed to toss as the bride and groom walk to their limo. The couple is driven down the long circle driveway, and towards a gold, glittery, and elegant aerial display. To everyone’s surprise, every 20 feet, a 12-foot gold fountain of sparks rises into the air as the limo passes.
The Elegant Entrance...Weddings begin on the front porch as a mother gives her daughter a kiss and then is ushered to the walk line up. Father and daughter step into the carriage to begin the ride to the altar. The evening ends in a most elegant exit as well if desired...fireworks!
Daddy walks his little girl to the carriage ready to walk her down the aisle.
After the wedding,
she steps out as a new Mrs.....
she steps out as a new Mrs.....
To have and to hold...
Destination Weekend Weddings
"Teal we find a cure..."
