Laurel Cottage
Our History
Located on the FHU campus adjacent to the Anderson Science Center, the five-bedroom, five-bath Laurel Cottage Hospitality House provides you with a warm, welcoming home away from home. FHU renovated this Main Street property for the exclusive purpose of hosting you and other campus guests. Each room is furnished with your comfort in mind, and you’ll find specific details about each room by visiting the links on this page. This facility was established to reflect the love of Christ, along with sincere gratitude for your visit to campus.
All rooms are named in honor or memory of former first ladies of Freed-Hardeman. The cottage itself is named for Mrs. Laurel Sewell, also a first lady.
The History of Laurel Cottage
The origin of Laurel Cottage hearkens back to a tract of land owned by Maggie and Eulis Ellis. It is unknown what year this tract of land was deeded to L. D. and Avarilla Stanfill.
In January 1937, L. D. and Avarilla Stanfill sold the land to A.M. and Nancy Johnson for $600.
The Johnsons built a rock house on the land in 1937-38, and sold the land in September 1938, ‘’with all its estate, title, interest and appurtenances thereto belonging,” to C.A. and Imogene Maness for $2,400.
The Maness’ son, Gene Allen Maness, inherited the house from his mother Imogene Maness Travis in November 2002.
Gene Maness’ widow, Bettye L. Maness sold the house to Freed-Hardeman University in 2013.
Led by the vision of FHU First Lady Tracie Shannon (our current First Lady who has been serving since 2017), who was passionate about creating a space where all can feel welcome and cared for on campus. The house was renovated to serve as a guest house for the University. Mrs. Tracie Shannon skillfully designed and decorated each space and it officially opened for use in October of 2022.
Laurel Cottage was named in honor of first lady Mrs. Laurel Sewell, who served as First Lady from 1990 to 2008. She is the author of The Six Gifts of Hospitality and has contributed articles to several Christian publications. Mrs. Laurel Sewell has traveled as a Christian education speaker, speaking at Ladies’ Days on many topics including hospitality.
The five bedrooms, the cottage, and the gathering room, were named for First Ladies of the University:
Room 1 – Mrs. A. G. (Cora Belle) Freed – Served From 1908-1923
Dining Area – Mrs. W. Claude (Lelia) Hall – Dining Area – Served From 1923 – 1925
Room 2 – Mrs. N. B. (Joanna) Hardeman – Served From 1925 – 1940
Room 5 – Mrs. H. A. (Louise) Dixon – Served From 1950 – 1969
Room 3 – Mrs. Claude (Delorese) Gardner – Served From 1969 – 1990
Room 4 – Mrs. Joe (Glenda) Wiley – Served From 2008 – 2017