Back to News 
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (October 18, 2002) – After 14 months of work, the historic Taylor/Phillips House renovation on the Milligan campus is nearing completion. Over 30 alumni, retirees, and friends of the college donated countless hours and days to the renovation of the house, which was once the home of Tennessee Governors Alf Taylor. The Taylor brothers are most famous for their 1886 “Tennessee War of the Roses” campaign against each other for governor.
In 2000, the house was named a Tennessee Historic Site thanks to the work of Milligan alumnus Clint Holloway. This prompted Clarinda Jeanes, wife of Milligan College president Donald R. Jeanes, to undertake the renovation of the house. She had seen a similar historic home at David Lipscomb University in Nashville that was used as a hospitality and reception house for the campus and community.
The Taylor/Phillips House at Milligan will serve that very purpose. It will be a hospitality and reception house, with proceeds benefiting scholarships for Milligan students.
Every inch of the Taylor/Phillips renovation project was supervised by Jeanes, who raised the necessary funds and recruited volunteers to help. The generosity of many local Tri-Cities companies and individuals made the project possible. Over the past year supplies such as paint, concrete, fencing, a furnace, an air conditioning unit, bathroom fixtures, and landscaping and painting services were donated or greatly discounted.
A key person in the renovation process was retired contractor Frank Jarrett of Johnson City. Jarrett served as project manager of the renovation. Jarrett has also overseen numerous Habitat for Humanity constructions and other recent building projects at Milligan.
“Without Frank this project could not have happened. He has a great heart and spirit of service,” said Jeanes. “There is nothing he cannot do. He made things in this project look so easy.”
Over the past year the house has seen a complete face lift. Numerous volunteers helped to paint the interior and exterior, install wood and linoleum floors, replace bathroom and kitchen fixtures, install a new porch, and deep clean the home.
On Friday, Oct. 25, the finished house will be ceremonially unveiled at a 10 a.m. open house and 11:30 a.m. dedication service. Both events are open to the public.
“It is so wonderful and rewarding to see this renovation project come to a close,” said Jeanes. “I have a great sense of satisfaction and look forward to getting on with the real purpose of the house.”
Jeanes is currently forming the Associated Ladies of Milligan (ALM). This group will help cater and host private receptions and social events in the house. All proceeds from the hospitality house will be used to develop student scholarships at Milligan.
“Through ALM we hope to raise scholarship dollars for the college, be an outreach to the campus community, and enrich women’s ministry in the local community,” said Jeanes.
If you would like to learn more about the Taylor/Phillips House, please contact the President’s Office at 423-461-8710 or go to www.milligan.edu.