Kennington’s Mansion has long been a landmark in Jackson’s historic Belhaven neighborhood. In the early 1900s, Robert Estes Kennington was a pillar in the community, where he was one of the city’s most successful merchants and owner of Kennington’s, one of the most distinguished department stores in the state. Located in downtown Jackson, Kennington’s was a major shopping destination for the latest in apparel, home goods, and more.
In 1912, Kennington chose the hill just north of what was Jackson proper to build his estate. “Kenwood” was a stately brick mansion on sprawling grounds with a tennis court, lake, formal gardens, and horse stables. In the 1930s, the foundation of the home was unsalvageable. In 1939, the original materials were meticulously disassembled and used to build the current neoclassical-style home on Carlisle Street, a slightly smaller version of the original mansion.
Now, a new chapter in the property’s life is unfolding, thanks to a handful of people who believe Belhaven is a crucial thread in the fabric of the city. After living a long life as a private residence, Kennington’s was purchased by The Ragland Company for those seeking a very Jackson short-term stay.
“You only have to walk in this house one time to see what a gem it is,” says Ben Herring, director of business affairs of The Ragland Company (and a Belhaven resident since 2003). “It’s hard to find a home with such a grand staircase, turn-of-the-century architectural details, and hand-block printed wallpaper. This home’s history and its connection to entrepreneurship and business creation in Jackson is very rich.”
Chris Ragland, founder of The Ragland Company married a Jackson native and moved to Belhaven three years ago. His love of historic architecture and structures is evident through his work, including revitalizing a historic theater near his hometown in Texas. “In Belhaven, I saw an opportunity to invest in and revive these incredible homes in the historic neighborhood,” says Chris, who also purchased The Kendall House, just a few blocks from Kennington’s. “We are set on reinvesting in the community, creating well-paying jobs, and working with local contractors and professionals to revitalize these historic neighborhoods.”
A man of his word, Chris enlisted the expertise of Mary Sanders Ferriss Cavicchi of design firm Ferriss & Co. to bring the Kennington’s vision to life. Mary Sanders, a Belhaven resident herself, jumped at the chance. “I have always loved this house,” she says. “I always dreamed of buying this house, so working on it and getting to know it so well is the next best thing. I love the classic architecture paired with the more modern architecture of the back pool house. The estate itself has such a good flow and energy.”
Mary Sanders had designed the pool house for the previous owners, so she was familiar with the details that made the property special. “I couldn’t get over the room with the Zuber wallpaper,” she says. She had designed another home in the neighborhood that felt similar. “The story goes that the two women homeowners were best friends, and it’s evident in the original design of the two homes.”
“I love modernizing historic buildings, so this was the perfect project for me,” says Mary Sanders. The design process revolved around the use of the space—accommodations for a large number of people and having multiple living areas that flow. “The room with the Zuber wallpaper felt like it would be used less if we left it as a dining room.” Mary Sanders repurposed another living area as a more casual eating space and converted the stunning green room into a salon.
“The entry with the grand staircase and the ‘courting’ alcoves is so unique, and the way the rooms on either side kind of ‘talk’ to each other,” says Mary Sanders, who says the scale of the house was daunting yet fun, creating a challenge she was more than happy to take on.
This project also brought Mary Sanders back to her first love of scouring for and sourcing antiques and furnishings. “Furnishing a house of this size and grandeur on a short timeline meant that we had to source locally, which means we spent a lot of time at antique stores, auctions, and estate sales, finding what I could to make the space feel collected, comfortable, and authentic to the style of the house.”
Mary Sanders grew up in an old home, has lived in old homes as an adult, and previously worked for an antique dealer. “I have an eye for pulling things out of the rubble,” she says. When sourcing pieces for the project, Mary Sanders says she screamed when she found a Kennington’s department store hatbox at an antique mall in Cleveland to use. “We drew a lot of inspiration from the department store.” This gave the designer the license to use playful accessories that aren’t typical, including a collection of fashion-driven books.
“My personal style is a mix of modern and traditional, cleaner lines mixed with more ornate pieces,” says Mary Sanders. “And, it was fun to work in a house that had such great light and a lot of color. I find blending color and pattern so fun.” The partnership was meant to be. “I loved this house so much that I couldn’t let anyone else do this project. It’s such a huge piece of the neighborhood and one of the last larger classic houses. I wanted to do it justice.”
Doing Kennington’s justice meant honoring the house’s history and legacy, a feat that was top of mind for The Ragland Company. “It is crazy to think about pulling a house apart and not damaging the materials like they did so perfectly here,” says Ben. “When you’re walking into a room with 12-inch plaster molding, and you touch a 120-year-old doorknob, it’s an indescribable feeling you just can’t replicate.”
For the first time in history, Kennington’s Mansion is available for more people to experience the magic. “You can book a stay for a luxurious weekend with loved ones and friends, rent the home for a reunion, a staycation, and more,” says Ben. “It is intentionally laid out as a gathering spot, a place to sit down and visit, to catch up with old friends.”
