|
Built in 1898 for cotton merchant William Braxton Barr (1864-1902) and his wife Matilda (Tillie) Birdwell (1868-1951), this home was designed by Austin architect Charles Page. Barr named the surrounding community after his grandfather Captain Erasmus Sprinkle (1813-1906), with whom he built a cotton gin and general store. When cotton prices fell in 1920, the thriving town of Sprinkle began to decline. The home, which features ornate Eastlake styling, remained in the Barr family until 1980, when Mark and Melanie McAfee fell in love with the mansion, and purchased it.
This was the place where they planned to raise their three children. Young, full of energy, but cash poor, they borrowed money from everyone in the family to buy the old home— which had seen better days. The house was rumored to be a haunted house, a favorite scary stopping off place for high school kids. After much love and hard work was put into the rehabilitation of the house, it became obvious the place was a perfect setting for a wedding. Mark’s sister, Nancy, was the first bride to celebrate her wedding there, and a new business was begun. Since then there have been over two thousand events at the seven-acre setting. While renovating Barr Mansion, the McAfee family learned to appreciate the traditional methods used to build houses that last 100 years. While landscaping the gardens they had a chance to watch nature unfold. And while seeking quality food ingredients and designing and building the Artisan Ballroom, they discovered an organic lifestyle which they found to be sustaining, harmonious, and healing.
Melanie and Mark McAfee
Owners/Proprietors
Melanie and Mark McAfee had a dream to create an environment that would offer others a celebration of life. Mark hails from the Faulk-Koock family of renowned restaurant and hospitality acclaim and Melanie is a visionary artist. Together, they created a sacred place, founded on old-world traditions but intertwined with modern times. Their mission is for guests to find solace in a hectic world, to find sanctuary, and most of all, to enjoy an unforgettable celebration.
Mark, an Event Consultant, thoroughly enjoys people. He is eager to meet, share his knowledge with, and listen to the many people he encounters. Melanie plans the seasonal menus and sources all the organic and local ingredients. She is constantly seeking new organic sources and innovative ideas.
Rick Rabon
Event Consultant
Rick began his catering and special events career in 1981 with renowned Houston caterer Jackson Hicks at Jackson and Company. Throughout his association with Mr. Hicks, Rick worked with many social dignitaries, heads of state, and corporate magnates to produce large events; the most notable of these was for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He left Jackson and Company in 1991 as the Corporate Vice President and Director of Catering and Production to move to Austin. After some time in Austin he began working at events facilities, and it was during this time that he began to focus on coordinating wedding parties. Rick has enjoyed great success coordinating weddings because of the wealth of experience he has to offer and the personal attention he gives to each and every client.
Abby McAfee
Event Consultant/Florist
Daughter of owners Mark and Melanie McAfee and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Abby McAfee was raised around the wedding industry - literally growing up at the Barr Mansion and assisting with thousands of weddings. Abby began her catering career at the age of seven, helping her parents however she could. Today she is the house florist for Barr Mansion, having developed her own look. From bridal bouquets to candles, she is available to help design a unique style for each of her clients. Abby brings a youthful air to Barr Mansion as an event consultant and has exceptional capabilities at coordinating weddings because of her unique upbringing and her wealth of Barr Mansion-specific experience, as well as her own personal attention to detail.
|
