The Marietta Pilgrimage
A Christmas Home Tour through Marietta, Georgia

The Adrian Cortelyou-Pressley House, c. 1890

218 Church Street

 

The Cortelyou-Pressley home was built between 1885 and 1890 as a story and a half Victorian cottage. It was purchased by Mrs. Pressley’s grandfather, Adrian Vorhees Cortelyou, who shared the driveway with his parents, Dr. & Mrs. Peter Rouse Cortelyou, who lived next door. After a fire in the early 1920’s, the house was remodeled to the present two story “Georgian” style. Since Mr. Cortelyou was Vice President of Georgia Marble, he used marble in the remodeling, particularly in the two bathrooms and the oversized Etowah pink marble mantle in the living room. The carvings on the mantle were done by Italian craftsmen, who were carving Bok Tower in Florida at the time.

 

Mr. Cortelyou brought his bride, Sarah Patton, who was the daughter of the beloved Presbyterian minister, John H. Patton to live in his newly remodeled home. They raised their daughter Patricia in the house and participated actively in civic, cultural and church affairs in Marietta. Sarah was the Presbyterian choir director for many years. After Mrs. Cortelyou died in the late 1970’s, the house was rented out for a short period, until 1980, when Jim and Adrian Pressley moved from Atlanta to renovate the home and bring family to live in it once more. Of particular note is the Pressley’s collection of French and Portuguese Palissy, as well as some pieces that have been in the house since the early years of its ownership by Mr. Cortelyou.

 

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