Oak Hill Plantation
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| Oak Hill Plantation | |
|---|---|
 Plantation logo | |
 Interactive map of the Oak Hill Plantation area | |
| General information | |
| Type | Residence & Hospitality |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival architecture |
| Location | 2888 E Capps Hwy, Lamont, Florida 32336 |
| Coordinates | 30°23′28″N 83°51′55″W / 30.3911°N 83.8654°W |
| Completed | 1991 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Floor area | 13,068 |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Skip Sheffield |
Oak Hill Plantation is a privately owned conservation preserve created in the late 20th century by T. K. Wetherell with his wife, Virginia Bass Wetherell. The large personal residence is maintained by the present owner, Virginia Wetherell-Scott.[1]
While serving in the Florida House of Representatives, T. K. Wetherell began purchasing parcels of land in the Red Hills Region of Jefferson County, Florida that would become the 983-acre Oak Hill Plantation. The property is near Lamont, 30 miles from Tallahassee, Florida. The house is 8,000 ft² and contains five-bedrooms and four-bathrooms in the classic Greek Revival-style architecture that was typical for plantation homes. The property is almost surrounded by Ted Turner's 32,000-acre Avalon plantation.[2] A paved driveway lined with live oaks leads to the house, about a 10-minute drive to Interstate 10. The heavily treed, rolling hills surrounding the compound are a diverse habitat for wildlife including whitetail deer, turkeys, quail and doves. The 15-acre lake is fed by a natural spring. The old St. Augustine Road passes through the property and is one of many walking, riding and horse trails.[3]
The house
Following TK's marriage to Virginia Bass in 1988, they began planning to build. The design inspiration for the home came from the historic Asa May house in Capps, Florida.[3][2] Architectural elements from historic buildings being demolished or purchased at auctions were incorporated into the plans.[3] Tallahassee's Old Floridan Hotel was the source of doors[4] and four huge 19th-century windows that were placed at the ends of the main hallways on each side of the first floor.[2] The ceilings are thirteen-feet tall to frame the jumbo windows.[2]
The staircase off the grand foyer used pine from the Old Ormond Hotel which opened in 1888 and was built by Henry Flagler. Other historic elements from the Ormond Hotel include fireplace mantels, doorknobs, and other hardware.[3][2] Flooring throughout the house is heart-of-pine. The two-story home was begun in 1990 and completed the following year.[5] There are formal living and dining rooms, a library with a comfortable reading area, a parlor with a wet bar, a chef's kitchen outfitted with high-end appliances plus an informal dining area; a separate caterer’s kitchen; a butler’s pantry, an office, a Home cinema featuring pediments and light fixtures once in the old Florida Capital building, and a screened porch overlooking the landscaped backyard.[6] The second-floor porch has a view of the lake.[3][2]
Other areas
The yard features a brick courtyard with a fountain and a gazebo. A separate 1,600-square-foot house was originally intended for guests but the maintenance staff resides there now.[6] A three-car garage was built to resemble a carriage & tack house; a "gathering lodge" contains small living quarters, a workshop and equipment barn with three bays; a skeet-shooting area; an office/man cave; and a cooking shack for entertaining outside at the lodge.[3][6]