Cedar Oaks, Oxford, Mississippi.
City of Oxford is set to vote to accept bids for the sale of historic Antebellum home held in public trust
by Drew Stevens
There’s a buzz around Oxford this Holiday weekend, and it’s not coming from The Grove or Vaught Hemingway Stadium, but another local landmark around the corner from Avent Park: the house on the hill known as Cedar Oaks.
The controversy began around 6:30 Friday evening when the agenda for the upcoming Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting set for 5 pm this Tuesday, September 2, 2025, was released to the public. Item 7b has many residents concerned over the future of Cedar Oaks mansion and the Park that surrounds the storied home. Scheduled to come before the Board is a vote to “Request permission to advertise for sealed bids for the sale of the Cedar Oaks house. (Mark Levy)”. Mark Levy is the Director of Special Projects for the city. Public comment has not been advertised.
So, yes, the City is requesting permission to go through the formal process of soliciting bids for the private sale of the publicly owned property. What does all that mean and what’s going on here? Let’s unpack it all as best I can and in the hope this will clear up some confusion and offer clarity on the issue.
The agenda item is referring to the sale of the house and grounds it sits on only—to my best understanding, that’s the mansion and three city lots. The other seven lots directly west of the home that comprise the park are not being sold and will remain as assets of the city.
These lots are said to be protected from the possibility of any future development as they are both part of a conservatory and designated a preserved landmark with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Since the Mansion is designated a historic landmark as well, the house cannot be torn down and any alterations performed by anyone, regardless of ownership, must be approved by the MDAH as well. So, there’s no fear of this turning into the house from Beetlejuice.
Why would this concern residents and how does it affect our community? To begin to answer that, we have to go back to how we got here.
History
Built in 1859, Cedar Oaks was designed by famed Rowan Oak architect William Turner. It remains one the few pre-Civil War homes still standing in the city of Oxford.
President Ulysses S. Grant occupied the home as a General during the Civil War. The builder’s sister, Molly Turner Orr, organized a fire brigade that included Sarah Isom to save the house when Union troops set it ablaze in 1864.
For over 100 years the Mississippi Greek Revival home stood tall at its original location on the corner of North Lamar and Jefferson—where the Graduate Hotel now resides. In the 1960’s the home was owned by the Hassell Smith family who started Oxford Floral in a greenhouse attached to the home. When the Smith’s planned to develop the site for a new Holiday Inn Hotel featuring a lounge and pool, they arranged to sell the home to the University of Mississippi and move it to the Ole Miss campus where it would house visiting dignitaries.
When the University deal fell through, the citizens of Oxford banded together to save the home. Many of the town’s ladies guilds organized under the fearless leadership of Mary Alice Tate. She convinced Smith to donate the home, convinced T. E. Avent to donate land for the home to reside, and raised the money to move the home. In 1963 the home was literally sawed in half and trucked one half at a time for the move 2.5 miles to its present location on Murray Street.
Many residents recall the parade-like atmosphere as the entire town emptied out along North Lamar to witness the event.
“It was open like a dollhouse,” Fannie Elliot described as the home was cut in two.
After moving the home in two pieces to Murray Street, it was put back together and owned by what was eventually named the Cedar Oaks Guild. It remained under their ownership for the better part of the following five decades, hosting countless public events, weddings, ceremonies, graduations, and parties. Other individual citizens eventually donated the surrounding lots that now comprise the park.
Looking to ensure the future public use of Cedar Oaks, the Guild donated the property to the City of Oxford in 2010. A resolution unanimously adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen in the official minutes (Book 59; pages 282-288) outlines the agreement between the Guild and the City.
Part of that agreement includes ‘Exhibit B.’ Outlined in Exhibit B are several conditions along with the stated purpose of the agreement: The Guild “wishes to ensure protection of the Property into the future by transfer of the Property to the City. The City agrees to accept the Property and to hold the Property in the public trust, and Cedar Oaks as a historic property, and to add Cedar Oaks to the tourism assets of the City of Oxford.”
It further states that “all representations, conditions and agreements shall survive the closing and remainin (sic) full effect.” It further outlines the Guild as an advisory board and defines how the City will manage the property.
Since 2010, Cedar Oaks mansion and the park have remained under the ownership and care of the City, and generously supported by the Guild. The property is available to host private functions and the Guild continues to host monthly meetings at the home. They also open the home to the public for numerous events throughout the year, including regular tours. As well as hosting symposiums, lecture series, and various other seasonal events like a spring tea, annual Mayfest, Halloween Party, and Christmas Open House, at Cedar Oaks.
Controversy
Over the past several years, Mayor Robyn Tannehill says that in annual budget meetings “the board has discussed the challenges and expenses of the home…including the expense to the taxpayers of Oxford” and “maintaining the historic home that has little public use.”
In February of 2024, the Guild, along with Oxford residents, were surprised to see an item on the Mayor and Board’s upcoming agenda that requested approval to seek Local and Private Legislation, allowing the City to potentially sell the home to a private party.
On February 20th, 2024, a packed audience attended the regular BOA meeting, as the Mayor explained the need to evaluate all city assets as good stewards of taxpayer dollars, and determine whether Cedar Oaks is being utilized to its highest and best use.
She also apologized several times for not informing the Guild prior to this item being placed on the agenda, saying “I pride myself on being open and good communicator with Oxford’s residents, but I fumbled on this one…I apologize, that’s all I can say.”
Keri Dibrell, the current Guild President, was then allowed to speak on behalf of those in favor of Cedar Oaks remaining in the public trust. No one else was allowed to speak from the public.
Mayor Tannehill broke the 3-3 tie to pass the request for local and private legislation, but was then informed the next morning that the state legislative committee chairman would not entertain the City’s request because the vote was not unanimous. Alderman Addy, Crowe, and Bailey voted no; and Alderman Howell, Taylor and Hyneman voted yes. Alderman Huelse was absent, but had expressed his wishes to the Mayor prior to the meeting.
On May 3rd, 2024 several Guild members met with the Mayor and other representatives to discuss the idea of the City transferring ownership of Cedar Oaks back to the Guild. Days later, at the Mayor and Board regular meeting on May 7, 2024, the Board granted the Mayor authority to enter into conversations about the transfer of Cedar Oaks back to the Guild.
At that meeting Mayor Tannehill outlined several maintenance expenses recently performed at the property, and that she believes “it’s in the best interests of the home, and of the best interests of the Guild, and the best interests of the taxpayers, for the home to be cared for by the people who love it most.”
After the resolution was unanimously passed, Mayor Tannehill addressed Guild president Keri Dibrell directly, who was present in the audience, stating “Keri, when you’re ready, we can talk. And there’s no rush…we are not expecting a quick answer on this. We can have as much conversation as you’d like to have…it’ll just be a process…whenever y’all are ready.”
Since that time, the volunteer members of Guild have been meticulously performing due diligence on the cost and responsibilities associated with once again fully maintaining the property would entail. One of the Guild members hired an attorney at their own expense to represent the Guild and this attorney has been negotiating and corresponding with city attorney Pope Mallette over the past 15 months.
Dibrell says that she and the Guild were shocked, once again, upon hearing the news on Friday, August 29, 2025, that the City plans to vote on selling Cedar Oaks. “I found out around 6:45 Friday evening” Dibrell recounts. “That’s how I found out. I had not heard that this would be happening,” adding “I thought we were still negotiating with the City through the attorneys.”
Public Support
Many residents revere Cedar Oaks as a symbol of Oxford’s resilience and believe it is best protected remaining in the public trust.
Long-time resident Wanda Poole remembers the house being moved to Murray Street.
“I was there,” Poole recalls. “I saw it all come together and sold so many houses in that area. And I remember that it was such a good thing for Oxford.”
Dave Tatum, who grew up his family’s home Ammadelle on North Lamar, recalls the home being moved, referring to it as “the sovereign half-mansion” further noting how he feels returning to the property for public events, “Cedar Oaks, like all historic homes, has stories to be told, and those stories reflect the fascinating way people lived.”
Social Media has been flooded with posts from residents opposing the proposed sale and potential private ownership of Cedar Oaks.
Neighboring resident Caroline Felker, authored one such post encouraging residents to contact city leaders. Her post has been shared well over 100 times.
Ardona Rodger Foshee asked “why can’t our leaders understand that some residents treasure history more than additional tax revenue?” Adding “It is so sad they would break a contract made by former leaders.”
Others like Joe Atkins question the transparency and timing surrounding the upcoming vote just after Labor Day, asking “what’s going on behind the scenes?”
And lifelong local Kaye Hooker Bryant lamented “Selling this treasure is wrong in so many ways! The land was a gift from Mr T E Avent and should never be sold! The house was a gift from Hassell Smith to us as a city. Selling would be a travesty.”
Former Mayor Pat Patterson was in office when the City placed Cedar Oaks in the public trust in 2010. In the 2017 documentary film produced by the Meek School of Journalism, The House that Would Not Die, Patterson explains “I think this is as much a piece of Oxford history as the City Hall or the Courthouse…I think we have a vested interest in maintaining these properties and keeping them up as best we can.”
Murray Avent is the grandson of T. E. Avent, who donated the original two lots of land that the home now occupies. He believes the Guild needs the City support to continue.
Avent explains “My Grandfather donated this land in perpetuity. That is forever… It seems our leadership in City Hall needs to be reminded that they were elected to serve Oxford, not own it. They do not have the right to sell the history and heritage of Oxford. No Mayor or Board of Aldermen should have that right.”
Adding, “This home and the land was placed in the public trust. That is something sacred and should never be violated. No house in Oxford has more history than Cedar Oaks. It is literally ‘The House that Would Not Die’.”
The Upcoming Vote
There are a few basic questions here that deserve careful consideration: Do Oxford residents desire to keep Cedar Oaks held in the public trust or not?
Do they agree with the recent assessment claiming that it is not in their best interests for the City to continue honoring the responsibility it unanimously agreed to just 15 years ago?
Should the Guild be forced with the binary decision to shoulder the full expenses associated with ownership again or see Cedar Oaks sold to private bidder?
Should the City financially benefit from the sale of a property that was donated by various local residents to the City? Is there any legal issue clouding a potential sale given the conditions outlined in ‘Exhibit B’ from 2010?
Given that the property is currently held in the public trust, it’s time for the public to answer these questions by voicing what they believe is best for the future of Cedar Oaks and their community.
This is an ongoing story.
See also:
“State of Mississippi Rejects Resolution Passed by the City of Oxford to Allow Sale of Antebellum Home Cedar Oaks” by Newt Rayburn, February 22, 2024
“City of Oxford to Consider Resolution to Sell Historic Antebellum Home Cedar Oaks” by Joe Atkins, February 19, 2024
Photo of the Week: “Cedar Oaks” by John Cofield, February 22, 2023
About the Author
Dear Oxford Citizens,
It hurts my heart to hear of this proposal to rid Oxford of part of its history. When you remove the character of Oxford what is left?
My family treasured Oxford and all that it had given to us. We had a lot near where the house currently rests that we could have moved the house to it we chose to have sold it for profit. Like wise the Avents who donated the land could have looked for profit rather than giving back to the city and people and postage stamps of land that we all love dearly.
How can our representatives, those chosen to promote this unique place, choose to continue to destroy the town were they are called to be caretakers.
Given this path what will be left of our town? Those of us who GAVE not regarding our own personal profit for the preservation of our history call out!!
WE DID NOT SACRIFICE FOR GAIN but for the longevity of a town and place where we lived and loved and called HOME so that others may have the same opportunity.
You the board betray that trust arrawded to you to be the caretakers of this community when you reveal a lust for profit over the community you were called to serve.
Stop betraying the people you were called to serve. VOTE NO ON THE SALE OF CEDAR OAKS!
Susan Walker Smith Sahag
Daughter of Jane and Hassell Smith
Donors of Cedar Oaks