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Victorian Village in Memphis: The Complete Guide

Victorian Village

The Victorian Village is a small neighborhood next to Memphis' Medical District, at the edge of downtown. The area is primarily composed of 19th-century mansions—many of which are known for their exceptional architecture. Now, many are museums that teach visitors about the Victorian era, and one is even a bed & breakfast. The neighborhood is also close to Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley and other famous musicians recorded their albums, some before they were famous, and is home to a few exceptional restaurants and bars.

In the mid-1800s, Memphis experienced a period of growth, thanks to an influx of lawyers, entrepreneurs, and politicians. A few of the city's wealthiest residents built grand, Victorian-style homes outside of the bustling downtown, and this area, now in the heart of the city of Memphis, became known as the Victorian Village. Residents included Confederate brigadier general Gideon Pillow, who lived in a two-story Greek Revival home; Amos Woodruff, a booming carriage maker; and Noland Fontaine, a significant cotton supplier. The latter's children were famous for throwing lavish parties in the neighborhood. Their street was nicknamed "Millionaires Row."

As the city of Memphis expanded, this neighborhood became less attractive, and its wealthy citizens moved away. While many of the original homes were destroyed, others are now museums and hotels. In the past few years, the area has experienced a revival with bars and restaurants moving into the neighborhood. The entire neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What to See

Some of the historic mansions have been converted into beautiful museums that tell the story of the Victorian era in Memphis.

• Don't miss the Mallory-Neely House , which has been preserved from the mid-1800s, when it was built, and tells the story of how a family would have lived at that time. It has original furnishings, stained-glass windows, and stenciled ceilings. Hours are Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are offered on the hour and half-hour, with the last tour departing at 3 p.m.
• At the Woodruff-Fontaine House , you can see 4,000 pieces of Victorian-era fashion. It has everything from undergarments to wedding dresses to church clothes. If you're into fashion, this is one museum not to miss. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• If you want a unique experience (and are in the mood to splurge) book a room at the James Lee House , a five-star bed and breakfast. During your stay, you'll live amongst hand-painted frescoes, stained-glass windows, and original Victorian floors. You can relax in the garden or snuggle up on a chaise with one of the house's many books. And you'll have a homemade breakfast waiting for you in the morning.

While not technically in Victorian Village, Memphis' Sun Studios is a short drive away. It opened in 1950 and was the very first place Elvis Presley recorded his music. During the exhibit you'll hear the stories of B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and other legends who walked in the same place as you'll be walking. For an extra fee you can even follow in their musical footsteps by recording your own song. It's open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

How to Get There

The Victorian Village is located on Adams Avenue on the edge of downtown Memphis. It's not an easy area to get to by public transportation , so the best way is to get there is to drive or take a taxi or Uber. Most attractions have parking lots, so parking is easy. Be mindful of your surroundings and belongings after dark.

Where to Eat and Drink

In the past few years new restaurants and bars have popped up in the neighborhood. There are also some establishments that have been there for generations.

• Locals will tell you that the best place to start the day is Sunrise , a colorful diner known for its southern delights. For a true Memphis experience order the biscuits and gravy bowl that comes with two open-faced buttermilk biscuits and two eggs mixed with cheese, bacon. Finally, the entire plate is covered in a thick, delicious gravy.
• From Wednesday to Saturday, get a nightcap at the Mollie Fontaine Loung e where you can drink classic cocktails (some inspired by the Victorian era) and listen to live music on the weekends. It's set in a stunning Victorian mansion adding to the experience.
• On the outskirts of the Victorian Village is High Cotton Brewery that serves hand-crafted brews that change regularly. Try the Rye IPA or the Mexican Lager. The scene is vibrant and young, especially during the day on the weekends. Note: It's closed on Mondays.

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Victorian Village Historic District

Top ways to experience Victorian Village Historic District and nearby attractions

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Victorian Village Historic District - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Victorian Village Historic District

Top ways to experience Victorian Village Historic District and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Victorian Village Historic District - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Victorian Village

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Victorian Village is home to seven colorful 19th-century mansions that will make visitors feel as though they've taken a step back in time. Some homes are business offices, but others have been converted into event spaces while one serves as a bed and breakfast allowing guests to experience the luxury and comforts of Victorian splendor.  

The Woodruff-Fontaine House is open for tours Wednesday through Sunday. But beware, as it's rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Mollie Fontaine, who grew up in the house. The mansion her father built for her across the street once operated as a popular lounge. If you're lucky, you can still enjoy the Mollie Fontaine Lounge during one of many pop-up events.  

Some travelers warn there isn't much to see around this village, and say the district is smaller than expected. Victorian Village is open to stroll through at any time of day, but if you want to enter a home, you'll have to check the specific hours and there may be entry fees.  However, you can always admire the exteriors for free from the street. The Woodruff-Fontaine House is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 until 4 p.m. – unless a private event is scheduled –for self-guided tours. It costs $16 for adults and there are discounts for children and seniors. Free museum parking for the Woodruff-Fontaine House is available on the corner of Washington Avenue and Orleans Street. Paid street parking is available for those who'd like to stroll through the neighborhood.

Visit the Memphis tourism website for more information about the district.

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#1 National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel

Recent travelers agreed the National Civil Rights Museum should be at the top of anyone's list of things to see in Memphis. Housed in the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the museum features multimedia presentations on the civil rights movement. With the help of 260 artifacts, more than 40 films, oral histories, interactive media and external listening posts, visitors are guided through four centuries of history. During your self-guided tour, you'll view artifacts paramount to the movement, such as a Greyhound bus ridden by Freedom Riders. You'll also have the chance to see King's motel room, where he spent his final hours.

Reviewers described the museum as "surreal" and "incredibly moving." They went on to note the staging of the exhibits is "top-notch" and said the museum helped put seminal events of the period into context for a better overall understanding of the movement. Visitors should budget at least two to three hours to tour the entire facility. The museum is also a featured stop on many of the best Memphis tours . The Legacy Building, where James Earl Ray fired the shot that ended Dr. King's life, is closed until 2025 as part of a multimillion-dollar expansion project that will add exhibits and transform the adjacent Founders Park.

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Victorian Village Historic District

Top ways to experience Victorian Village Historic District and nearby attractions

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Victorian Village Historic District (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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7 Things You Didn't Know About Victorian Village

Ed. Note: You've probably been to Victorian Village to see the the historic homes there, or maybe for drinks at the Mollie Fontaine Lounge. Contributor Aisling has more fun facts and lesser known places to look for while you explore one of Memphis' oldest neighborhoods. 

Victorian Village was Memphis’ first suburb, featuring spectacular mansions built along Adams Avenue by the city’s business elite on what was the outskirts of town during the Gilded Age.

Today, Victorian Village is home to six sites on the National Register of Historic Places: Mallory-Neely House Museum , Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum , The Massey House (home to Memphis City Beautiful), Mollie Fontaine Lounge , and The James Lee House . 

Now is a great time to get to know this charming historic neighborhood. Here are seven sights to get you started. 

The Gingerbread Playhouse

Built in 1870, the Woodruff Fontaine House is a gorgeous French Victorian Mansion that’s open to the public for tours. In the garden behind the mansion, you’ll find the whimsical Handwerker Gingerbread Playhouse , which looks like it was transported from a children’s storybook.

John V. Handwerker, a pharmacist, had this adorable Victorian playhouse built for his children circa 1890. Today, the Gingerbread Playhouse is rented out for small weddings and other social gatherings. 

Mallory-Neely House Stained Glass Windows

The historic Mallory-Neely House , a 25-room Italianate mansion, retains its original historic interiors, furniture and artifacts, including two original stained glass panels that were purchased at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. 

A third stained-glass panel may also have been purchased at the same World’s Fair, but it came from a since-demolished house next door on land that today houses the juvenile court building. That house belonged to Hugh Neely, uncle of longtime Mallory-Neely House occupant Frances Neely Mallory, affectionately known as “Miss Daisy.” The panel sat in a judge’s chamber for years, after she saved it from the wrecking ball. In the 1980s it was brought to Mallory-Neely House for preservation.

The rescued panel is housed on the third floor, which isn’t included on the tour, but it can be seen from the second floor. The room where it’s housed, by the way, once served as an office for another judge, Camille Kelley, who aided Georgia Tann of the Tennessee Children’s Home in her notorious, long-running baby-selling scandal in which poor children were stolen and sold to wealthy families. 

Memphis Martyrs Tribute 

The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 was a devastating chapter in Memphis history. The epidemic resulted in so many deaths that Memphis lost its city charter due to depopulation. St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral was home church to a group of nuns, whose superior, Sister Constance, led the mission to nurse yellow fever victims. She, along with three other Episcopal nuns and two priests, came to be known as “Constance and Her Companions, ” and the Episcopal Church has a feast day dedicated to their memory. 

St. Mary’s Cathedral houses a Memphis Martyrs Hall, featuring a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic in Memphis and the martyrdom of Constance and her companions, who died after contracting the disease. The sisters’ names are also inscribed in the cathedral. 

The Teddy Bear Connection

Shelby County Attorney General Luke Wright lived in Victorian Village. The circa 1840 carriage house at 688 Jefferson still stands and is today a private residence. On the wall outside, you’ll find a historic marker that tells the story of Luke Wright. 

One of his guests was Theodore Roosevelt, and the Wright family is said to have plated their sterling silver gold for his presidential visit. Roosevelt spent the night at the Wright House before a famous 1902 bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi, where he famously refused to shoot a black bear that had been tied to a tree. He’s rumored to have said, “Spare the bear! I will not shoot a tethered animal!" 

American newspapers reported the incident, which became the subject of a newspaper cartoon, and New York candy store owners Morris and Rose Michton created a stuffed toy bear called “Teddy’s Bear.” They sent one to Roosevelt, asking for his permission to name the bear after him, which he approved. 

Lowenstein House  

The currently vacant mansion at the corner of Jefferson and Manassas, a spectacular mix of Italianate, Queen Anne and Romanesque styles, was built in 1891 by German-born Jewish merchant Elias Lowenstein, who came to join his brothers in the dry-goods business. The Lowenstein brothers ran what became one of the city’s leading department stores. In 1921, his daughter, Cecilia, donated the house to the Nineteenth Century Club, which used it as a boarding house for young women who traveled to Memphis from rural areas to work in factories as part of the war effort. 

The property was later turned into a treatment center for mental health outpatients in 1979. Today, it’s privately owned and it’s future is unknown. 

The Steamship Bell

The James Lee House is a spectacular mansion in the heart of Victorian Village that’s been transformed into a luxury bed and breakfast. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Victorian-Italianate-style house once belonged to Charles Goyer, founder of Union Planters Bank.

It was purchased in 1890 by James Lee, a Princeton-educated riverboat captain who was heir to his father’s steamboat company, who lived in the mansion with his wife and 10 children.

The house later served as the James Lee Memorial Art Academy, the predecessor to the Memphis College of Art. Outside, on the side of the house, is the bell from the eponymous steamship The James Lee, which was donated to the James Lee House by Lee’s descendents during the 2013 groundbreaking for the renovation of the historic house into a bed-and-breakfast. 

Thunderbird Lounge

The famous Thunderbird Lounge, opened in 1965, was located in the basement of the Shelbourne Tower at Manassas and Adams Avenue, the site of what’s today the Helix at the District Apartments. Elvis Presley hosted parties at the lounge, including his 1968 New Year’s Eve party, and a number of famous musicians, including Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Rich, and Sam & Dave, performed at this swinging sixties club. Victorian Village Inc. is seeking stories from folks who have memories of the club. 

What's next for Victorian Village? 

- Two new houses built to blend into the historic neighborhood, which will be Airbnbs. - New 40-person outdoor patio at Mollie Fontaine Lounge. - New restaurant called Wright Cafe, which will have coffee and two New Orleans style courtyards.

You can follow Victorian Village on their website , Instagram , and Facebook for more updates.

About the Author

Comments Make Us Happy

Clifford stockton jr.

Just wondering why Collins Chapel CME Church was not mentioned in this piece? The Church is located on the corner of Washington and Orleans and was the first Black Church in Memphis. That alone deserves an honorable mention.

Holly Whitfield

Sounds like an incredible landmark! Thank you Clifford!

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Victorian Village

Type: Architecture , Free Attractions , Historic Sites , Sightseeing

Last updated on February 4, 2019

10Best Says

198-680 Adams Memphis, TN 38105

901.523.0235

EXPERT TIPS BY: Sally Walker Davies Memphis Local Expert

• Historic Sites , Tours and Excursions , Attractions near FedExForum : "Download a walking tour map on the Victorian Village website."
• Best for Historic Sites Because: Victorian Village is making a comeback and offers a rare glimpse into the city's most affluent founding families.
• Best for Tours and Excursions Because: Memphis has lost many of its historic buildings, and the grandeur of Victorian Village is a true gem.
• Best for Attractions near FedExForum Because: Victorian Village gives visitors a real peek into this very graceful period in Memphis history.

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Victorian Village District

Status: Preserved

Location: 652-707 Adams and 669-688 Jefferson Avenues, Memphis

Built: Mid-1800s to 1890s

Architectural Style: Various: French and Italianate Victorian, Greek Revival

Original Function/Purpose: Residential

History: As a result of the city’s economic boom of the 1830s and 1840s, a few wealthy Memphians built grand, Victorian-style homes in what was then farmed countryside, far from the urban development of the city. The area remained the center of power, wealth, and elegance well into the early twentieth century. Between 1925 and 1959 it became known as a center for arts, with the Memphis Free Art School established in the Lee or Goyer-Lee House, later to expand into the Fontaine house, and the Memphis Art Association housed in the Carriage House and later in the Pillow-McIntyre House. Two other noteworthy homes on Adams are the Massey House (ca. 1846, upper photo) and the Mallory-Neely House (1852, lower photo). Other well-known institutions originating in Victorian Village include Christian Brothers College (late 1800s) and the Juvenile Court (1910). The neighborhood saw a decline after the art schools moved to Overton Park in 1959, but has enjoyed preservation efforts since the 1980s. While many of the original homes have been demolished, several still remain as museums, bed and breakfast inns, and restaurants, making the area a major destination spot in the city. In 2020, restoration work began on the ca. 1850s Greek Revival-type Pillow-McIntyre House   on the south-east corner of Adams Avenue and  N.  Orleans  Street . Developer and preservationist Bill Townsend added this ante-bellum home to his collection of historic Memphis properties in 2022. Working with Memphis Heritage, he has plans to use part of the building as headquarters of his development team, and convert another section into an antique store. Victorian Village District is one of the National Register-listed districts recognized (and protected) by the City of Memphis as a local historic district or Historic Overlay District.

City Council District: 7

Super District: 8

County Commission District: 8

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Attractions

Mallory-Neely House

Welcome Back!

The mallory-neely house is open for guided tours (first and second floors) fridays & saturdays.

Tours start at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30pm & 3:30pm.

Group Tours on other days by advance reservation.

Tickets $16 non-members; $8 members

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TOURS

Located in the Victorian Village area of downtown Memphis, the Mallory-Neely is one of Memphis’ most visited historic homes.  We invite you to explore the decor and history of early Memphis.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the Victorian Village Historic District, the Mallory-Neely House is one of Memphis’s treasured historic sites.  It is all the more special in that it retains all of the original historic interiors, furniture, and artifacts almost exclusively. It offers a visceral experience walking through the home and lives of a family from over one hundred years ago.

The iconic home was preserved in its pristine manner by Mrs. Frances Neely Mallory, also known affectionately throughout her life as Miss Daisy, who moved into the house with her parents as a child and was the last family member to reside there until her death in 1969.

After her death, the Daughters of the American Revolution operated the house as a museum from 1973 to 1985. The house was gifted to the city of Memphis in 1985 and has been operated as a historic house museum by MoSH since 1987.

652 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38105

901.636.0797

Open for guided tours Fridays & Saturdays beginning November 3.

Exhibits & Collections

Spend the day exploring history, science, nature and culture through MoSH's many fascinating exhibits and displays.

Wildlife wonderlands, planetarium shows, giant screen movies, historic houses, the Pink Palace Mansion and worlds more await you at MoSH.

Join MoSH for fun and engaging events year-round including the annual Pink Palace Crafts Fair, Science of Beer, Nature by Firelight, Mallory-Neely House soirees and other fun happenings weekly and monthly.

• Become a Friend of Victorian Village
• Historic Photos
• Tennessee Cares Grant

Victorian Village is a neighborhood of 19th century buildings that have survived prosperity, war, yellow fever and urban renewal. Twelve buildings in the neighborhood are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Download our Tour and History Map of Victorian Village

Victorian Village

Victorian Village, Memphis, Tennessee

Victorian Village, an historic neighborhood once known as Millionaire’s Row, is lined with grand mansions dating back to the mid to late 1800s. Some of these Victorian-era estates, including the Mallory Neely House, James Lee House, and Woodruff-Fontaine House, have been converted into museums, inns, and even a nightlife hot spot.

Most Memphis city tours pass through Victorian Village, which officially comprises 14 historic properties, a dozen of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Three houses—the Magevney House, Mallory-Neely House, and Woodruff-Fontaine House—are now museums with original period furniture. The James Lee House operates as an upscale bed-and-breakfast, and the Mollie Fontaine Lounge has become a trendy cocktail bar serving modern Southern comfort food. The other homes can only be viewed from the outside.

Victorian Village is a must-see for architecture and history buffs.

Wear comfortable shoes to for a self-guided walking tour of the neighborhood.

The Mollie Fontaine Lounge and the first floors of the Mallory-Neely House and Woodruff-Fontaine House are wheelchair accessible.

The homes of Victorian Village run along Adams Avenue on the east side of Downtown Memphis. It’s easy to get there on foot from downtown.

It’s possible to take in the sights of Victorian Village anytime, but you’ll want to visit during daytime hours to tour the museums or in the evening to sip a cocktail at the Mollie Fontaine Lounge, where there’s live music on the weekends.

From 1845 to 1890, when the dozen or so Victorian-style homes along Millionaire’s Row were being built, this stretch of Adams Avenue was on the outskirts of Memphis. As the neighborhood grew in prestige, wealthy riverboat and cotton tycoons scrambled to establish residencies in this trendy area. Eventually Memphis grew past the area, and by the end of World War II, many of the elite families abandoned their Victorian Village mansions.

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Victorian Village Historic District In Memphis, TN

While there are still quite a few houses left of the era, three in particular draw daily interest to the area. These houses are the Magevney House, Mallory-Neely House and Woodruff-Fontaine House.

The Magevney housed the city's first Catholic mass, wedding and baptism, containing heavy religious history of the area. The Mallory-Neely house presents a unique Italian architectural style to Victorian Village and the Woodruff-Fontaine House welcomes a museum featuring a number of era specific furnishings. Nearly all of the houses of Victorian Village are typically open to the public from Tuesday thru Saturday, with a few of the houses being open seven days a week.