About
Built in 1871, along “Millionaires Row,” this French Victorian mansion was home to two prominent Memphis families. Amos Woodruff, a successful carriage maker, built the house for his family. Noland Fontaine, an established businessman, purchased the house from the Woodruffs in 1883, where they lived until 1929. The house was sold to Rosa Lee to expand her art school which moved to Overton Park in 1959, and established themselves as the Memphis College of Art. The house was vacant until 1961, when the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities restored the mansion and it opened its doors as a historic house museum.
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"Such a treasure in our wonderful city to visit and experience the past. With the help of the fine docents that share their knowledge so passionately every visit is a pleasure."
~Nancy C.
Our Mission
To educate the public about Victorian life in Memphis through the preservation of the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum and properties.
Our Vision
The Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum will be a social and cultural look back in time and shall be regarded as an entertaining and worthwhile tourist destination.
Volunteer Spotlight
Michelle Malone; Current Volunteer President of the Memphis Chapter of the APTA.
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Michelle is a Memphis area native, currently residing in Southaven, MS. She has been a practicing nurse since 2016, and is a Med Surge nurse educator at Baptist DeSoto Hospital. When not working at the hospital or volunteering at the Woodruff-Fontaine mansion, she likes to spend time with her 2 dogs, Stella, a very large Cane Corso and Buddy, a not-so-large mutt! Also in her spare time, she likes dining and grabbing a drink with friends and dabbling in theater.
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Michelle has been volunteering at Woodruff Fontaine for about 13 years. She became involved after her beloved grandmother, an avid docent volunteer, passed away. "She loved history and volunteering, so I decided my own volunteerism would be a way to honor her memory. And now, I am the APTA President, in my second term. I made it, Granny!"
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"One of the things about the mansion I treasure the most is although the history stays the same, there's always something new to learn.
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"The Woodruff Fontaine House will always hold a special place in my heart and be part of my life. My goal is to leave such a lasting impression, that in 100 years a docent will point out my photo and regale guests with memorable stories about me!"
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