Rowan Oak

Rowan Oak is certainly worth a visit. I went to Oxford, MS for my birthday and had a blast visiting the various places it has to offer. I am a fan of Faulkner, so naturally I would visit Rowan Oak. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable about the history of the property. The admission is a reasonable price and the property has much to offer for the aforementioned price. Whether you’re a fan of Faulkner and American literature, or if you’re looking for something to do in Oxford, MS, then I’d highly recommend checking out Rowan Oak. I can’t wait to visit again!

The parking area is gravel and the walkway to house is dirt so may be muddy when wet. Entrance fee is $5. This is a great place to visit if in Oxford, MS. William Faulkner was born in New Albany, MS which is where the Tanglefoot Trail (43.5 miles long and starts in Houston, MS) ends. His family moved to Oxford when he was 5 years old. There are several videos posted of Rachel giving brief history of Faulkner and the house etc. Faulkner purchased the primitive Greek revival house “The Bailey Place” in 1930 on 4 acres from Colonel Robert Sheegog and Irish immigrant planter from TN. He built the house in 1840. The house is currently owned by the University of Mississippi. When Mrs. Faulkner died their daughter Jill sold it to the U of M. Faulkner renamed the house “Rowan Oak” in 1931 after the rowan tree, a symbol of security and peace. This was his private world and he was fascinated with its history. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949 and the Pulitzer Prize and National Book in 1954 for A Fable. He loved horses and has stable behind house. He was injured while riding which lead to him being addicted to alcohol and eventually his early death. I loved the house and the gallery upstairs. He built the servant quarters for his mammy who also took care of his daughter when she was 93?? Her funeral was held in their parlor so she was more like family. Don’t forget to visit Faulkner’s Alley that’s located downtown. I highly recommend visiting Rowan Oak!!

I didn't know much about William Faulkner before visiting, and I heavily enjoyed coming here. It's a gorgeous estate, especially the cedar-lined walkway leading up to the house. Inside you'll see all the rooms decorated as they would've been when Faulkner lived in the house. I personally loved his way of scribbling phone numbers on the wall. If you're in Oxford, don't miss out on this!

We visited after a rainy night, so the main parking lot was closed. So the parking was very tight. I loved the walk up to the house from the street. Rowan Oak is the home of William Faulkner. If you're looking for fancy, you won't find it here, but it's a wonderful look of how he and his family lived. It is well maintained and the staff was very friendly and helpful and we're willing to answer any questions you would ask.

Enjoyed my impromptu visit on a warm spring day!!! Beautiful architecture, grounds, antiques & a very interesting presentation of Faulkner. Hope to get back in the fall. Friendly people there also!

A little more than an hour drive southeast of Memphis, Rowan Oak was the home of William Faulkner, one of the United States greatest authors, winner of both the Nobel Prize and a Pulitzer, for more than 30 years, from 1930 until his death in 1962. The house is now a museum and is open to the public for tours. You can tour the entire house and grounds and there is a very helpful and knowledgeable guide available to answer questions. The house also contains various interesting manuscripts and memorabilia. You can even use the bathroom which the man himself used. William Faulkner wrote many of his most famous works at Rowan Oak, including, As I Lay Dying, Absalom, Absalom!, Light in August and Sound and the Fury. The house is owned and managed by the University of Mississippi and could use a little TLC from the school (who reportedly pay the head football coach $9.0 million a year – so there is money available if the cause is deemed worthwhile.)

I admit I've never read Faulkner. So I watched a couple biographical videos the night before visiting Rowan Oak. That helped me understand the man whose home I was visiting. The exhibits give you plenty of general background as well as detailed insights into the man and his works. Rowan Oak feels less like a National Park site where everything is roped off and "Don't touch", and more like old home that is currently being preserved. You can walk on the patio and in the garden walks and imagine Faulker retreating there for some quiet to think and write. We stayed near the square in Oxford, so the cemetery where Faulkner is buried was just a short walk away and was worth a visit.

Did a quick walk through of this place while in Oxford. I'm more in it for a historical perspective with the structures and history. It was nice and educational. I learned a lot about the author Faulkner that lived there in the end while that was not why we went. Even if you're not interested in his works alone his estate itself made it a great stop to see while in town. The estate is pretty much all authentic it appears from the 1950's (maybe a bit later) to when it was mostly built in the 1840's. You can't even drive up to it and you have to park on a small gravel trail pretty much. So it makes it even more interesting. I definitely recommend it and Oxford as a whole if in the area!

The last time I visited Rowan Oak was in the 80's. Time does stand still (sometimes). A visit to Oxford Ms. and a visit to William Faulkner home is a must. We missed the last tour but got to roam the beautiful grounds. If you are in Oxford stop in and check it out!

There are not too many things I love more than the written word. Books have always been a great source of comfort for me...I just love peeking into other worlds that can always be found between the pages of a great book. Southern authors with ties to New Orleans? I immediately want to read everything they've written...then throw in the words Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction AND the Nobel prize in literature...Ok, well now I'm downright obsessed, impressed beyond words and why yes, yes I do want to visit the home the absolute legend lived in for most of his life. Rowan Oak feels haunted but in a really great way. It's in a beautiful neighborhood and the tour is quick and self guided. You gotta go if you're in beautiful Oxford and experience it yourself. A genius once walked here and I am happy to show him mad respect and encourage y'all to do the same.

The grounds are very well kept, the staff is friendly and for only $5 you can walk around the house at your own pace. There are signs at the front of each room saying what the room was used for and how (if it has) changed. Excellent part of history and well worth the visit.

Historic!! If you love Faulkner you will love learning about his life in this house: you can learn more about his personal life, his works, with a lot of preserved items on display. The house itself predates WF with old yard formations that were preserved for mood effect. The visit is casual and pretty, back a little in the woods. I'm going to go back and revisit more of his works (I've read ridiculously little) after learning more about his influence and character.

"The Writing on the Walls . . ." is, in this case, especially significant & preserved! Mothers, don't tell your children that William Faulkner never graduated from high school. But he was greatly influenced by people who cultivated his unique character & gave him insight into the history & traditions of the South. & He did attend Ole Miss for 3 semesters. Though his technically complex novels & short stories remain timeless, you may not know that he also wrote screenplays (among them Bogie & Bacall, Crawford & Cooper), in Hollywood. While eschewing publicity & fame, he definitely enjoyed the finer things in life that money afforded. Stroll through the walkway of majestic Eastern Red Cedars to the entrance of a Greek Revival antebellum estate. Rowan Oak sits on 4 acres of cultivated grounds surrounded by 29 acres of forest known as Bailey Woods in bucolic Oxford Mississippi. The grounds include a Gothic antebellum garden, muscadine arbor, original detached kitchen (later a smokehouse), post oak barn, servants quarters, & stables. A highlight for me, though it could easily be missed, was the 14-minute b/w I.Q. Film produced in 1952, featuring original footage of Faulkner & Oxford. The home's furnishings, while interesting & serviceable, were not at all ostentatious. There are many photos of Faulkner's favorite horse Tempy, & his riding boots & equipment remain in his bedroom. He died in 1962 at age 64 of complications following a major riding accident. There are signs marking the 3/5-mile Bailey Woods Hiking Trail, which leads to the Ole Miss campus. Highly Recommended!

Rowan Oak, home of William Faulkner, is beautifully restored to capture what it would have been like when the author lived there. The entrance is a bit tricky which we almost missed then you park along a dirt road as there isn't an actual parking lot. As you trudge through the shrubbery you suddenly see the line of trees which focuses your view onto the lovely Southern residence. As you enter there is someone in the front to give you a brochure explaining the rooms of the homes and you can pay the $5 admission fee for a self-guided tour. There is someone on each of the two-story floors to answer any questions you may have as you peek in each room. Some fun touches I enjoyed about our visit here: -They never painted over an area in the kitchen where phone numbers were scribbled on the wall -Upstairs is a large book containing newspaper clippings about Faulkner. I learned a lot just by browsing through these ("Read, read, read. Read everything" -Faulkner) -Seeing his desk where he would write Tip: After Rowan Oak, go pay your respects to him by leaving whisky or some pennies where he was buried at the St. Peter's Cemetery (a sign is visible from the street where he was laid to rest)

My wife and I are history buffs, always on the look out for tourist treks in cities we haven't been to before. Our quick weekend jaunt to Oxford was motivated primarily by Faulkner so after a great lunch at the Ajax Diner upon pulling into town our very next stop was Rowan Oak. You should go to if in Oxford--if you like literature, history, or just seeing cool/beautiful locations. The grounds alone are worth wondering for an hour or so. The house is preserved pretty much as it was when Faulkner lived here so it's like a step back in time. Each room is worth exploring and a plaque provides factoids for each. It's cash only but at $5 to help preserve the property--c'mon. Just plan ahead and be prepared to pay up in cash. The only reason I don't rate this one a 5 is that there's not a guided tour. You can learn a lot by taking your time and reading each plaque as you make your way through the property but I'd love to have a 30-45 minute guided tour by a Faulkner expert. It would also help if there was an actual parking lot near the area, as it is you park wherever you can find an open spot in a roundabout gravel area near the house. A few tweaks to the tour to give the site the importance and focus it deserves would really elevate this but even as is you're doing yourself a disservice by not stopping by if in the area. Afterwards make sure to stop by the Oxford Memorial Cemetery to visit his grave and leave a penny or a bottle of whiskey; then stop by Off Square Books and pick up a Faulkner novel you don't have and give it a read.

My visit to Rowan Oak was the culmination of 16 years of planning since I was first exposed to Faulkner's work as a freshman at Purdue. Even though I have lived in Georgia for the last 11 years, I never made the 5.5 hour drive to Oxford till last week and boy do I regret it. What a beautiful, simple and wonderful encomium to one of America's greatest writers. First, as many of my fellow Yelpers have pointed out, most GPS services will give you the wrong direction. Rowan Oak is located off of Old Taylor Road, and just a 15 minute walk from the town center. Follow the signs from Lamar and you should be good to go. Second, it is hard to believe that such a peaceful and well-visited location is also so low-key. You just park your car in a heavily-wooded area and walk directly onto Faulkner's property. Third, for $5, you can take a self-guided tour of Faulkner's home and see just about every part of his daily life. I can honestly say that it was one of the thrills of my life to peer into his study an see his handwriting on the walls where he wrote the notes for the book that would become "A Fable." There are also some cool exhibits on both floors relating to his life. Lastly, there is something wonderful and inspring, especially if you are a writer, to walk around this property and think that William Faulkner may have stood exactly where you were with probably a drink in hand, contemplating his next masterpiece. Rowan Oak, like the town of Oxford itself, oozes Southern charm and it's no surprise this whole area was Faulkner's muse.

This a a very beautiful spot that includes the grounds, house, outbuildings, and an entire forest behind the house with a trail that leads from the house to the University Museum . There are 29 acres in all to explore and the forest is known as Bailey's Woods. The grounds are free to visit and it is a lovely spot to picnic or just enjoy the outdoors. Legend says there is the ghost of a horse that haunts the grounds and I've experienced some strange things when hiking the trail in the woods behind the house at dusk. The house tour has a small fee and is short but it is interesting as they have many of Faulkner's belongings laid out as he left them. You mainly get to walk in the hallways and just look inside the various upstairs and downstairs rooms. One of the most interesting features inside the house is that Faulkner's novel A Fable, which won a Pulitzer-prize, is outlined on the wall of his study. Overall this is a nice and relaxing spot and one of the most beautiful places in Oxford. Tip: You can also visit Faulkner's Grave in Oxford and it is common for fans to leave a bottle of whiskey at his grave site.

This place speaks simple elegance. Admittedly I have not been to many famous people's residences, dead or alive, but if I must draw a comparison between Rowan Oak and the other old home I visited in recent years, i.e. the Graceland Mansion, I have to say Rowan Oak is more to my liking. It is not a tourist trap, though I assume most visitors there over the weekend were not locals. Going inside the charming old house costs a mere $5 per person, while walking around the tree-lined grounds and breathing in the quaint southern charm is completely free. Most if not all great writers are tormented souls, but I imagine Mr.Faulkner was among the lucky few who could at least find a little piece of tranquility here at home.

For those of you, like me, who are obsessed with this Nobel laureate treasure of American literature, visiting the Faulkner home is like stepping into a world of insight into your favorite novels. Here's a link to my fb album of this visit. There is not a guided tour, but a guide to the grounds and plenty of helpful captions/explanations all throughout the house and grounds. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.1548822237465.72327.1142340120&l=2a23a747e9

Rowan Oak is the beautiful and wonderfully maintained home of writer William Faulkner. The staff is amazingly friendly and informative while you take your time doing a self-guided tour. Definitely a thing to see when in Oxford. On another note, Rowan Oak is a wonderful location to host a private event. The grounds are stunning and their on staff events person is incredible and will make sure you don't forget anything and that your event goes off without a hitch!

This location is magical. Spent a morning here walking the grounds after breakfast in town. You'll see plenty of birds and trees and you might even here some cheers from the football stadium.

Note to out of towners like me: this place is not that easy to find. Don't trust apple map. Don't trust yelp map. "Rowan Oak" and "Faulkner home" directed us to the city hall in the Oxford town square! Same map on yelp show business page. It's on old taylor road not Jackson. So worth the trip down from Memphis. The property is beautiful and understated as it seems to have been when the author lived there. Amazed that we were allowed to walk the grounds and surrounding area unattended by a hectoring guard. The neighborhood is beautiful too. With the leaves on the trees you have no clue that this secluded property is maybe a quarter mile from the baseball stadium of U Miss. As over regulated Californians we are surprised time and again by how easy it is to access so many interesting landmarks and historical sites in the south as compared to home.

This is a cool place to visit. It's a great learning opportunity for those who are unfamiliar with William Faulkner.

I like teasing English majors, but I think I would've liked to have been one. I haven't read very much William Faulkner, but I very much like history. If you're going to do one thing in Oxford, this is it. They've preserved the home and grounds as he liked it. It's staffed by knowledgeable volunteers and there are lots of displays and explanations. Definitely made me want to read more of his work.

Was really psyched about visiting Rowan Oak, the home of Mississippi laureate William Faulkner. Visited on my first day in Mississippi - drove down from Memphis and arrived late in the afternoon. Very difficult to find, even with a GPS - research before you go and give yourself extra time if you're on a tight schedule. Paid a small $5 fee, received a brochure, and did a self-guided walk of the house and grounds. Really enjoyed my visit - there are many of Faulkner's personal items displayed throughout the house. Take the time to read the displays and see all of the rooms. I enjoyed seeing his typewriter and the excerpts of his Pulitzer Prize winning novel "A Fable" outlined on his study walls. The majestic tree-lined walk leading to the house was pretty impressive as well. Overall, definitely worth the visit if you enjoy Faulkner's work. The entire visit lasts about an hour. There isn't a parking lot, so leave your car on the street and walk up to the house.

We had so much fun at our hero's residence in the Deep South. We could feel the mystique of the place and got a sense of what the place might have been like when Faulkner and his wife lived there. They had a routine that allowed him to pursue his craft. It also seemed he appreciated family. Make the trip!

Great piece of history. As a student at Ole Miss, I spent many free afternoons walking through the trails in the woods to end up at Rowan Oak. The curators are knowledgeable and happily share what they know about the great author. As an alumni, Rowan Oak is one of the places I've missed most since graduation.

A must see,especially if you have a kid at Ole Miss. Right off "the square" surrounded by beautiful trees and a preserve you can walk. Open most days-except a few holidays-we actually went on Good Friday-Ole Miss didn't have classes but the home was still open to tour. $5 entry fee for house with is meticulously restored with original furnishings.

This outside of this historic home is beautiful but I unfortunately never made it to the inside because the staff there are so rude that it drove us away. The parking situation is confusing to say the least, and upon telling an employee that it was our first time there, he repeatedly asked why we had not been there before, since we are students at the school. We were scouting out the location for a class assignment and were berated for asking to take a picture of the building. I found my very brief visit to be extremely unpleasant. I might not have graduated yet, but I still do not deserve to be treated like I am inferior because I am a student at Ole Miss who has never visited the great William Faulkner's home. I have never has an interaction with someone as rude as this person, and I will not be returning to give this place any of my money.

Neat. Rowan Oak was a nice spot to visit, especially to view the tree-lined walkway that leads up to the home. Steeped in interesting history, the grounds are beautiful and the home is nicely preserved. Faulkner's writings on the wall of the back room were particularly cool. Be forewarned, it's a bit tricky to find and there is not really a proper parking lot, but that added to part of the charm.

Great place to see even if you're not into literature. Lots of history and beautiful views. I like to hike to here from campus via an easy trail through the woods. Bring some snacks and enjoy some time walking around the property (it's free) but do come inside the house at least once ($5) to see the famous writings on the wall and the rest of the house.

Wonderfully beautiful place, you get to do your own tour through the house and the land. I am not wild about the parking area but because they wanted to keep it as natural as possible it was worth it, there was a few workers doing a little work on the house which made it loud, but the land and yard was so beautiful. There is a $5.00 charge unless you are a college student but well worth it

Not a big literary guy but this was worth the $5. Always interesting to see how people lived. House is in ok shape and seems to not take care of like most museum type properties but it is a very cool 45 minute attraction while you are in oxford.

Love this place, very informative and polite greeters. The parking can get a bit confusing and my gps just refused to find the right last road to the place but I stopped at a neighbor's house for directions and got free sweet tea in the process. Plenty of information on Faulkner plus beautiful grounds. I actually went there first thing in the morning that day and I got to see 3 deer in the backyard. Overall a must see if in Oxford.

TL;DR review: Do you like William Faulkner? If you don't, don't waste your time. So I'm a huge fan. I've read The Sound And The Fury five times and six or seven of his other books as well; and I just really found out about him ten years ago. Rowan Oak has been fabulously well preserved. It seems as if you're stepping back in time to the 40s or 30s, though William lived there until he died in 1962. You can go into the kitchen and see all the names and phone numbers he (or someone else in his family) scribbled on the wall next to the family telephone. I suppose you could even run your finger over it, if that's the kind of jerk you are and you were so inclined. Walk around on the property and be moved by the beautiful southern gothic architecture (greek revival-whatever). Walk down on the veranda and see where his daughter stood as she took her vows. Stick your head in the office where he outlined A Fable on the walls to verify it's still there. See the Underwood typewriter he used. There are interesting stories all over the house. One particularly interesting one about his daughter wanting a radio, and the fight that ensued with her father - a technophobe - and the radio that still sits in her room as the spoils of her victory. You can use the restroom. The house's restroom. For real. It was a good time. ...but the parking sucked.

Gorgeous gardens and the unadorned-yet-elegant family house of William Faulkner sit on these grounds. I loved seeing Faulkner's scrawl on the walls--I respect him as a great Southern writer more than I love his work, but, hey. I loved the shined riding boots in the bedroom. I loved the mother-in-law's botanical paintings so much that I wanted to steal them. The gardens were stunning both in the spring and in the fall. So so charming. Take a day to explore the trails near the grounds and be sure to visit Oxford Square (and one of the two Square Books!). I believe I got in for free as a student, but it's only $5 for the self-guided tour.

Yes, the name of the home is Rowan Oak. It is beautifully maintained inside and out! The docent was friendly. It does not take very long to tour the house and grounds. It was interesting to learn more about William Faulkner and his family. The surrounding neighborhood is also well-preserved and a nice way to spend some time. One of my favorite spots in Oxford!

Beautiful old home with a lovely entrance lined with majestic trees. Interesting peek into Faulkner's family life. Near the top of the list of places to see in Oxford!

I love both old architecture and books, so seeing Rowan Oak was definitely on my to-do list while visiting Oxford. We were able to get their easily using the google maps app. It was extremely hot the day we visited, but the amount of trees in the front of the house made it more comfortable while walking up to the the charming southern mansion. It is currently being restored, but it didn't take away too much from my first impression. We paid the $5 a person admission fee and toured the home. I loved how huge the bedrooms were. In most houses built at the time that I have toured, the bedrooms were pretty tiny. It was so interesting to see William Faulkner's writing process, which included writing on the walls. The house is exactly how it was when he lived there, which is amazing. The only place we weren't able to see was the kitchen (because of the restoration being done). The grounds are very well kept and we spend a small amount of time walking around them (because of the heat). We probably spent about an hour there. I would love to go back and explore more of the grounds in either the spring or fall when it is more tolerable outside.