By Jennifer Murray
On March 28, Phoenix Flies, an annual event conducted by the Atlanta Preservation Center celebrating historic sites in Atlanta, invited over 50 attendees to enjoy a top-to-bottom tour of the Zuber-Jarrell House in East Atlanta. The 118-year-old home, which is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been undergoing restoration since its purchase by Jennifer Murray and Marc Dobiecki in 2003.
One of the tour’s highlights was the restoration of the heart pine and flamed red birch woodwork in the formal areas. The wood has been stained with hand-mixed colors and shellac to match the original. Other interior features included the restored bathroom fixtures and original leaded and stained glass windows.
The tour included an overview of the reconstruction of the widow’s walk, porches, and porte-cochère to their original design. The basement featured an unusual room originally designed to house batteries for powering the home. However, the space was never used for that purpose, as electricity was already available in that area of East Atlanta by the time the house was completed in 1907. The original furnace and many archival and architectural features saved over the years were available for viewing.
A memorable moment of the day was the introduction of Zuber and Jarrell family descendants—many meeting for the first time. The family members were excited to connect with the tour attendees and shared photographs spanning over 100 years, which were on display.
The day concluded with a trip to Sylvester Cemetery, where family members visited Mr. Zuber’s grave, followed by a dinner on the porch. As the sun set, stories of the house and its ancestors were shared, bringing history to life in a deeply personal way.
