LIVINGSTON — Alabama's Black Belt is rich in culture and history. Now, thanks to one local family, visitors can experience that history up close and in real time.
Jake and Sidney Freeman of Livingston have opened their sprawling 1830s estate, Lakewood, to guests seeking a peaceful escape from the chaos of modern life. Stepping back nearly two centuries into the bed-and-breakfast offers a much-needed dose of rest and relaxation, with a side of modern luxury.
Sidney Freeman grew up in the 7,000-square-foot Greek Revival raised cottage. After investing her own "blood, sweat, and tears" into its renovation, she decided to share the warmth and comfort of authentic Southern living with others.
Just as the Freemans married on the elegant double stairs in front of the house, they offer the home as a wedding venue.
Built by the Lake family, who migrated to Alabama from North Carolina in the early 1800s, the home has sheltered eight generations. It has endured wars, hurricanes, and the passage of time, standing as a testament to strength and resilience.
"It's a testament to incredible craftsmanship," Freeman said. "We always talk about what it would cost to replace this house, and honestly, there's no monetary value you can even fathom because of the integrity of the structure."
Construction on the home began in 1832 and was completed around 1840. In 1936, it was photographed as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey. Those images still available through the Library of Congress. Guests can now stay in the very same home captured in those historic photos and use some of the original furniture featured in them.
"I love coming here," said Tina Naremore Jones, the director of the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area. "It is nice and in walking distance to the University of West Alabama."
While Freeman deeply values the home's historical significance, she wants it to be lived in and enjoyed.
"We definitely want to be a place that people enjoy coming to and are excited to see," she said. "We want them to come and feel like they're at home and that they can make themselves at home."
The house has been updated with modern amenities, including central heating and air conditioning, as well as mini-split units in each room. The primary suite features a large freestanding tub and a rain shower head. All rooms offer modern mattresses and quality bedding, while the furniture and artwork remain original; many pieces passed down through the family.
One exceptional piece of furniture is a table that once belonged to Julia Strudwick Tutwiler, a prominent educator and member of the Lake family. Tutwiler, who served as president of Livingston Normal College (now the University of West Alabama), lived in the house periodically between 1881 and 1910. The table now sits in a living space on the second floor.
"Most of the pieces in the house are going to have some kind of sentimental value to my family or me," Freeman added.
Each of the seven guest rooms has its own distinct theme — including equestrian, chinoiserie, and floral. The primary suite is styled in a Florentine theme, while the ground level features both a masculine equestrian-themed room and a soft, feminine room in pinks and blushes.
The covered side porch offers a view, outdoor seating and a swing bed for the ultimate relaxation.
The Freemans offer eight beds total and include continental breakfast. Lakewood is conveniently located near unique dining options, from a local bakery to a steakhouse known for "The Best Steak in Alabama."
Freeman says they've already hosted visitors from across the country. The family enjoys introducing guests to the charming town of Livingston and sharing the unique culture and heritage of Alabama's Black Belt.
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