One of Georgia’s most distinguished structures, the Johnston-Felton-Hay House in Macon was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974. It was built from 1855 to 1859 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, a marked contrast to the more restrained Greek Revival architecture of the antebellum period.

The 18,000-square-foot mansion spans four levels and is crowned by a three-story cupola. Commissioned by imaginative owners and constructed by the most skillful workers of the time, its technological amenities were unsurpassed in the mid-19th century: hot and cold running water, central heat, a speaker-tube system, in-house kitchen and an elaborate ventilation system.

Only two families lived in Hay House over three generations. Most of the museum’s furnishings date from the Hay family’s occupancy (1926-1962). A few pieces are from the Johnston family (1860-1896), most notably the Eastlake-style dining room suite. The most important piece in the collection may be the 1857 marble statue, "Ruth Gleaning," by American expatriate sculptor Randolph Rogers.

The Johnstons
William Butler Johnston was no typical nineteenth-century Southerner. He obtained his substantial wealth through investments in banking, railroads and public utilities rather than from the agrarian cotton economy. In 1851, he married Anne Clark Tracy, 20 years his junior, and the two embarked on an extended honeymoon in Europe. During their trip, the Johnston's visited hundreds of museums, historic sites and art studios. They collected fine porcelains, sculptures and paintings as mementos of their Grand Tour. The Johnston's were inspired by the Italian architecture they observed and, upon their return to America, constructed a monumental Italian Renaissance Revival mansion in Macon.

The Feltons
Completed in 1859 and called the "Palace of the South," the residence was decorated and furnished in accordance with wealth and good taste. It became a beloved home for the Johnston's, their daughters and their extended family. After the death of Mrs. Johnston in 1896, daughter Mary Ellen and her husband William H. Felton lived in the house. They remodeled and redecorated parts of the house, updated the plumbing and added electricity.

The Hays
After the deaths of Judge and Ms. Felton in 1926, Felton heirs sold the house to Parks Lee Hay, founder of the Banker's Health & Life Insurance Company. The Hays substantially redecorated the house to reflect the changing character of twentieth-century living, and the house at 934 Georgia Avenue continued to be recognized as a local landmark for gracious living during the Hay ownership.

After Mrs. Hay's death in 1962, her heirs established the P.L. Hay Foundation and operated the house as a private house museum. In 1977, ownership of the house was formally transferred to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The house has been operated by the Trust since that time and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

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1842 Inn

College Hill

Jan

includes taxes & fees

7 Jan - 8 Jan, 2026

Best Western Riverside Inn

3.6 km from College Hill

Bernard

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28 Dec - 29 Dec

Garner Hotel Macon West by IHG

12.4 km from College Hill

Anna

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22 Dec - 23 Dec

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Macon

11 km from College Hill

Christinw

includes taxes & fees

22 Dec - 23 Dec

The Woodward Hotel

Macon Historic District, 1.1 km from College Hill

christopher

Hampton Inn & Suites Macon I-475

8.1 km from College Hill

Susan

includes taxes & fees

24 Dec - 25 Dec

Hampton Inn Warner Robins

25.4 km from College Hill

Steven

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28 Dec - 29 Dec

avid hotel Macon North by IHG

8.2 km from College Hill

Tiffany

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22 Dec - 23 Dec

Tru By Hilton Macon North, GA

13.4 km from College Hill

Herbert

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan, 2026

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

8.9 km from College Hill

Mark

includes taxes & fees

23 Dec - 24 Dec

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon West

8.5 km from College Hill

Kim

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21 Dec - 22 Dec

Quality Inn Macon West

8.5 km from College Hill

Denver

includes taxes & fees

18 Dec - 19 Dec

Desk, soundproofing, iron/ironing board, free cots/infant beds

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon

12.5 km from College Hill

Charles Blaine

includes taxes & fees

22 Dec - 23 Dec

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Byron by IHG

21.8 km from College Hill

Valerie

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21 Dec - 22 Dec

Courtyard by Marriott Warner Robins

24.6 km from College Hill

Sharon

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19 Dec - 20 Dec

Premium bedding, down duvets, pillow-top beds, in-room safe

Best Western Inn & Suites

21.8 km from College Hill

Glenys

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan, 2026

Daily full breakfast (USD 10.95 per person)

Hilton Garden Inn Macon / Mercer University

1.9 km from College Hill

Kelly

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10 Jan - 11 Jan, 2026

Comfort Inn & Suites Macon West

8.3 km from College Hill

Cristina

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18 Dec - 19 Dec

Courtyard by Marriott Macon

9.1 km from College Hill

Francis

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25 Dec - 26 Dec

Super 8 by Wyndham Byron/South Macon

21.8 km from College Hill

Anonymous traveller

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19 Dec - 20 Dec

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Where to stay in College Hill

Find the best College Hill areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Macon which includes a city and a statue or sculpture

Macon Historic District

While visiting Macon Historic District, you might make a stop by sights like Grand Opera House and Tubman Museum.

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Vineville Historic District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Vineville Historic District and surrounding area, you can visit The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Grand Opera House.

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Pleasant Hill Historic District

While there might not be top attractions in Pleasant Hill Historic District, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Hay House.

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Ingleside Historic District

While Ingleside Historic District may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Museum of Arts and Sciences.

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Tindall Heights Historic District

While Tindall Heights Historic District may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Tubman Museum and Grand Opera House.

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Top College Hill Hotel Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

What's it like in College Hill?

Travellers will be sure to find plenty to entertain them in Macon's College Hill neighbourhood. Make sure that you visit Hay House and Sidney Lanier Cottage as part of your College Hill travel plans.

What's the best accommodation in College Hill?

Based on Expedia customer reviews, 1842 Inn is the highest ranked property in College Hill. This B&B offers free breakfast and free parking.

How many hotels will I be able to find in the College Hill area?

Expedia has 32 hotels and other accommodation options in College Hill to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Macon area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in College Hill, will I receive a refund?

Yes! Most hotel reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel prior to the hotel's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Add dates, click "Search", then use the filter option "fully refundable" to review the best deals available in College Hill.

What is there to do around this Macon neighbourhood?

Hay House, Sidney Lanier Cottage and Cannonball House feature captivating exhibits to peruse while you're exploring College Hill. You could also plan a visit to Carmichael House or Tattnall Square Tennis Center while you're in the neighbourhood. Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, Macon City Auditorium and Otis Redding Foundation are just a few of the places to visit in and around College Hill. Grand Opera House and Riverside Cemetery are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Macon.

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Our top choices for College Hill hotels

1842 Inn

Best Western Riverside Inn

Garner Hotel Macon West by IHG

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Macon

The Woodward Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites Macon I-475

Hampton Inn Warner Robins

avid hotel Macon North by IHG

Tru By Hilton Macon North, GA

Wingate by Wyndham Macon I-75

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon West

Quality Inn Macon West

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Macon

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Byron by IHG

Courtyard by Marriott Warner Robins

Best Western Inn & Suites

Hilton Garden Inn Macon / Mercer University

Comfort Inn & Suites Macon West

Courtyard by Marriott Macon

Super 8 by Wyndham Byron/South Macon

Where to stay in College Hill

Macon Historic District

Vineville Historic District

Pleasant Hill Historic District

Ingleside Historic District

Tindall Heights Historic District

Top College Hill Hotel Reviews

avid hotel Macon North by IHG

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