Mercer Williams House Museum

Mercer Williams House Museum is a focused historic-house visit, not a large hands-on children's museum. Its short, approximately 35-minute guided tour makes it manageable for school-age children who can listen, stay with a group and look closely at rooms and objects. The house was designed for General Hugh W.

Mercer, begun in 1860 and completed in 1868 after Civil War delays. Children can look for 15-foot ceilings, a 60-foot entrance hall, original English ceramic tile, stained glass, deep rose-colored brick and preserved moldings, shutters and flooring. The collection adds portraits, Regency and Empire furniture, Chinese export porcelain and other objects gathered by preservationist James A.

Williams.

Arrival requires a little planning. Although the formal address is 429 Bull Street, tickets and visitor entry are behind the house at 430 Whitaker Street. Street parking is metered, and the museum warns that meter rules vary by location.

Tours are first come, first served and normally leave every 20-40 minutes. A family that arrives just after a departure may spend almost as long waiting as touring, so an early arrival is useful. Parties of six or more should call ahead.

The visit is mainly indoors and can work well during rain, but the walk from parking and any pre-tour wait may be outside. The museum also states that this historic house is not licensed as handicap accessible. It does not publish stroller, changing-room or food information, so families needing those details should call before going.

Admission is $14.95 for adults and $12 for students or active military with ID, plus 7% Georgia sales tax. Children age 6 and younger enter free. The official pages currently list special August restoration closures, and two pages conflict about the regular Tuesday schedule. Check the live site on the day of your visit, especially after August or around restoration work.