Our Team & History

A covered breezeway connects the 5,000 square-foot state-of-the-art conference center to a Victorian Manor house built in 1895. The Whitehead Manor grounds are peppered with old growth trees, organic gardens, a pond and several courtyards.

Meet the Team

  • Mike & Beth Whitehead

    FOUNDERS & OWNERS

  • BENJAMIN KLEIN

    DIRECTOR

  • SHELBY EMANUELE

    SALES AND OPERATIONS LEAD

  • CRISTINA MONTERO

    EVENT MANAGER & WEDDING COORDINATOR

  • MORGAN HANEY

    EVENT MANAGER AND WEDDING COORDINATOR

History.

From construction of the original Manor House all the way up to the creation of Whitehead Manor as it is today.

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Built in 1895

The original Victorian house located at 5901 Sardis Road was built in 1895 by Dr. R. G. Miller, the pastor of Sardis Presbyterian Church. The property was deeded to his 8 grandchildren and remained in the Miller family for over 71 years.

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Purchased in 1966

Rufus Dalton purchased the property from the Miller Grandchildren. Rufus Dalton began a top to bottom overhaul of the existing home, sold off subdivision tracts to builders Allen Tate and All Waddel, who developed Downing Place with all Victorian designed homes. Mr. Dalton retained 3 acres with the existing homestead.

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Homeplace Bed & Breakfast

In the early 1980s, the house was bought and restored by Frank and Peggy Dearien. The Deariens offered the extra bedrooms to guests and named the home the Homeplace Bed & Breakfast. The Inn was extremely popular, known for its hallmark rockers, wraparound porch and a country Victorian interior.

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A New Beginning

In 2004, Mike Whitehead, an avid jogger, lived nearby and routinely cut through the property to look at the house during his runs. As the Deariens were ready to retire, Mike, his wife Beth, and his children Austin and Leah spent two years remodeling the home. Since 2004, this history-rich building has also served as the home of The Center for Intentional Leadership, a leadership and culture development firm.

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Conference Center Built in 2008

In 2008, Mike and Beth Whitehead officially opened a brand new, 5000 square foot conference center. The Conference Center is adjacent to and inspired by the original 1895 Victorian home and shares the Manor’s special sense of privacy. The conference center was built to complement the history and hospitality of the original Manor house, offering grand porches and a connecting breezeway.

 

“Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”

— Henri J.M. Nouwen