Inside the Mansion that Inspired ‘Gone With the Wind’

‘The Vampire Diaries,’ ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and other Hollywood productions have also been filmed here.

Inside the Mansion that Inspired ‘Gone With the Wind’

“Gone With the Wind” features one of the grandest homes in all of classic cinema, and now is your chance to own it — or at least the home that inspired the Wilkes’ southern plantation (the movie was mostly shot on specially-built set pieces). The antebellum plantation located in Covington, Georgia, about 35 miles from central Atlanta, is now on the auction block at Target Auction, with a minimum reserve price of $1 million for the historic 10,000-plus square-foot estate.

But “Gone With the Wind” isn’t the only Hollywood history found within this home’s gables. Several other television shows and movies have been filmed here, including “The Vampire Diaries.” Come take a look inside the home’s many rooms.

Update: Twelve Oaks sold at auction on July 25 for an undisclosed amount. According to Twelve Oaks’ Facebook page, the winning bid “was not quite what we wanted, but enough to allow us to move forward.” The sellers also mentioned that they think the new owner will continue the mansion’s bed and breakfast operation.

The History

A Georgia judge named John Harris built this home in 1836. One hundred years later, “Gone With the Wind” novelist Margaret Mitchell spotted the antebellum mansion from a photograph in the “Atlanta Journal.” She sent along a note to movie producers to use it as a model for Ashley Wilkes’ home in the feature film.

The mansion fell into disrepair over the years and at one point sat empty before the current owner, Nicole Greer, purchased it in 2011. Speaking to Deep South Mag, Greer says she kept everything historically accurate, and she appears to have gone to great lengths to do so. She replaced the broken windows old wavy glass and even had the gas coal sets in each fireplace built to resemble the original. “There was only one person in the United States that even did that, and we found him in Washington, Georgia,” she told the magazine.

It’s quite the feat. The 12-bedroom home has 12 fireplaces.

The History, Continued

According to the press release, over $2 million of renovations went into this mansion, which has been christened Twelve Oaks in honor of the Wilkes mansion. Greer has operated the estate as an upscale hotel, event venue and shooting location for the last six years. She has given many of the home's en-suite bedrooms a name based on film and television productions.

Connections to Hollywood

As per Twelve Oaks' Facebook page, this photo shows a scene from "The Vampire Diaries" featuring the mansion. Twelve Oaks is used for the 1864 flashback scenes featuring the Lockwood Mansion; it can be seen in the fourth episode of the second season. Other productions that have showcased the mansion include:

'Vacation' (2015)
'Life of the Party'
'Tyler Perry’s The Family that Preys'
'Halloween 2'
'Southern Fried Homicide'
'In the Heat of the Night'
'Bessie'
'Scalpel'

According to the press release, the estate averages "one or two movie or TV show contracts per year and also provides accommodations for the cast."

Notes from Margaret Mitchell

Mitchell’s handwritten notes from the book “David O. Selznick’s Gone With the Wind” by Ronald Haver. Mitchell spotted Twelve Oaks in Covington and sent this newspaper clipping to the film’s producers, although Mitchell had little else to do with the film’s production.

The Entry

Stepping off the porch and into the 183-year-old mansion, you'll notice the hardwood floors, period lighting and a long staircase. You might also notice that this staircase doesn't entirely resemble the one in "Gone With the Wind." However, the real Twelve Oaks' staircase is quite grand...

The Staircase

...and it wraps all the way up the mansion.

The Parlor

Take a step back in time in the parlor room. It's quite spacious, and the ceilings are about 11-feet high.

The Dining Room

The dining room can seat 40 when additional tables are set up. There's quite a lot of room for guests outside, too: The home sits on over three acres, and there's a four-car carriage house and an electric vehicle charging port on the grounds.

The Kitchen

A black and white coffered ceiling adds a modern touch to the kitchen, which features a wood-topped kitchen island large enough to seat several people.

The Kitchen, Continued

A row of arched windows provides ample light.

The Master Bedroom

The four-poster bed, chandelier, morning bar and antique furniture make sleeping (and living) in the master bedroom a delight.

The Master Bathroom

According to a press release from Target Auction, two of the baths in this home cost "over $14,000 each." This is most likely one of those baths.

The Master Bathroom, Continued

Double vanities: One sink for Rhett, and one sink for Scarlett.

The Salvatore Brothers Study

This bedroom/study combo is the Salvatore Brothers Study, named after Stefan and Damon Salvatore from CW's "The Vampire Diaries." However, it might be a bit too bright for true bloodsuckers.

The Salvatore Brothers Study, Continued

The study is a great spot to do some research on the shadow self.

In the Heat of the Night

In the Heat of the Night is a second-floor suite named after the 1988 TV series of the same name. The show had several scenes filmed at the mansion, including one where a car exploded.

In the Heat of the Night, Continued

This bathroom is elegant and simple, with shocks of red and a decorative bubble glass window.

Katherine's Mirror Image

This second-floor bedroom has been coined Katherine's Mirror Image, nicknamed after the "The Vampire Diaries"' Katherine Pierce (she meets Elena for the first time in an episode that was filmed at Twelve Oaks). It includes a double slipper clawfoot tub that's large enough to fit two people. And it's right in the bedroom. Fancy.

But what if you want to take a shower? Then you're in for an experience.

The Ribcage Shower

This bedroom in Twelve Oaks has one of the most interesting features on the entire property. It's a needle or rib cage shower that's likely from the 1920s. Most people used bathtubs, and only the wealthy could afford these early types of showers. This shower has either been restored or copied from its original design. Small water jets spray (or "needle") out of multiple areas of the shower's four "ribs."

The Ribcage Shower, Continued

The Frankly Scarlett Suite

This first-floor suite has been nicknamed the Frankly Scarlett after "Gone with the Wind" (obviously). It features an antique grand canopy bed and a columned fireplace.

The Frankly Scarlett Suite, Continued

Each of the home's 12 fireplaces are remote-controlled, and the mansion has five chimneys.

The Frankly Scarlett Suite, Continued

The bathroom features Carrera marble tile and a huge walk-in shower with three fixed shower heads and a hand spray.

The Third Floor

The third floor has its own small seating area and a kitchen equipped a fridge, sink and microwave, just in case you don't want to go all the way downstairs for a snack.

Steel Magnolia

This third-floor suite, nicknamed Steel Magnolia after the 1989 movie, features a beadboard ceiling, French dormer windows and a canopy bed with French silk draping.

Steel Magnolia, Continued

The peaceful bathroom features a freestanding tub and a marble shower.

Suite Home Alabama

This third-floor suite, named Suite Home Alabama, features an antique king-sized bed from France that can be split into two twin beds.

Suite Home Alabama, Continued

A small study nook overlooks the grounds.

Suite Home Alabama, Continued

Have a drink and a soak in this suite's clawfoot tub.

Cannonball Run

This room is named Cannonball Run, after the 1981 movie starring Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise. A memorable scene in “The Cannonball Run” was shot in Covington, when the two lead actors fly a plane and land in town square for some beer.

Cannonball Run, Continued

A beautiful soaking tub sits near a window and below a barrel ceiling.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was shot entirely in New York City, so why is this room named after Audrey Hepburn’s 1961 film?

Breakfast at Tiffany's, Continued

As far as we can tell, there’s a scene where Hepburn sings the song “Moon River” by Henry Mancini and Savannah native Johnny Mercer. The song was immensely popular and received an Academy Award and a Grammy Award.

The Pool

In the back, relax either in the pool or enjoy a drink under the shaded gazebo and embrace your inner Scarlett O'Hara.

A Place for Parties

You don’t have to be a vampire from the 19th century to enjoy the night. The patio has more than enough room to accommodate dozens of guests.

The Carriage House

The carriage house holds four cars. It can hold even more golf carts, which is great because it’s legal to drive golf carts on Covington’s streets. There is also a charging station for carts and electric cars.

A Look Back

This photo is believed to have been taken in the early 1900s. The mansion still looks almost identical to this photo, although the east wing’s second-story balcony has been removed and converted into a bathroom.

Looking for a New Owner

Target Auction says the cost to re-build the manse would be over $6.3 million.