Perched atop Lavender Mountain, the House o’ Dreams is a charming stone and board-and-batten cottage built in 1922 by students and staff as a 20th-anniversary gift to Miss Martha Berry, founder of the Berry Schools. The design was created by Harry Carlson of Cooledge and Carlson of Boston.

Located 1,360 feet above sea level—600 feet above Frost Chapel—the House o’ Dreams and its adjoining water/fire tower offer breathtaking views of the Berry College campuses, the reservoir, the city of Rome, the northwest Georgia region, and even neighboring states Alabama and Tennessee.

The retreat was funded by contributions from Mrs. Emily Vanderbilt Hammond, alumni, and friends. Landscaping was completed by Philadelphia landscape architect Robert B. Cridland. At Miss Berry’s suggestion, terraced gardens for fruit trees and berry patches were added, inspired by the grounds of Castle Nemi in Italy, where her sister, Eugenia Berry Ruspoli, resided.

Hiking Details:

• Distance: 4.8 miles (out and back)
• Elevation Gain: 725 feet

Before You Visit:

• All visitors must check in at the front gate and present a valid driver’s license.
• Request a printed map of trails and campus attractions.
• The campus is open to visitors from dawn to dusk.