Our Story
THE HISTORY
The Whittlesey House has something of a storied past: the home’s original owner, Theora Whittlesey, loved hostessing and entertaining, and the mansion became known as a popular local gathering place in the 1920s. Many years (and a few owners later), the home was for sale, and a local family — the Mazurs, owners and operators of the beloved Albany restaurant The Bread House & Granary, located just next door, stepped in.
Second-generation Albany natives with a passion for historic preservation, hospitality, and entrepreneurship, mother/daughter team Debbie & Molly Mazur took on the restoration of the house, which was in need of some love and attention.
Drawing inspiration from the lavender fields of the French countryside, slow Southern nights, and the home’s very own history of warm hospitality, they’ve created a thoughtful and inviting event sanctuary.
Now, The Whittlesey House continues to bring people together, for weddings and milestone celebrations, community events, dinner parties, meetings, and relaxing group getaways.
We honor Theora by restoring The Whittlesey House as a place for modern celebration.
HER STORY
Theora Whittlesey graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri in 1938 with an Associate’s degree in Arts. She then attended the University of Georgia earning a B.A. in English, a Masters in Education and a Sixth Year Degree in Elementary Education/Special Education. She was a member of the following organizations: Phi Mu Sorority, Phi Theta Kappa, Theta Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi and a proud member of Mensa.
Theora enjoyed being a member of the Albany Little Theater, and frequently appeared in their productions. Some of the programs from the plays that she participated in hang on the walls of the theatre building on Pine Avenue.
In Albany, Theora was not only a teacher, but was also a secretary for Easter Seals. Beginning in 1939, Theora worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Dougherty and surrounding counties (earning the grand salary of $75 per month).
THE PROPERTY
The Whittlesey House blends a renovated interior and modern amenities while paying tribute to its past. The restoration highlights features from the home’s initial construction in 1908, including the original floors, windows, grand stairway and bannister.
Three beautifully appointed private suites, custom furnishings, and a lush courtyard sparkling under twinkling lights help write the home’s next chapter as Albany’s go-to destination for weddings, special events, and corporate gatherings.
A place for quiet inspiration, celebrating milestone moments, and gathering in community.
Get to Know Molly & Debbie, the Inspiring Mother Daughter Team Behind The Whittlesey House
What made you fall in love with The Whittlesey House?
“The previous homeowner approached us to see if we would be interested in buying the house from her as she was moving out of state to be closer to family. The property was in poor condition when we first got our hands on it, and at first, we really just viewed it as another restoration project for our family. It was after Theora Whittlesey’s great grandchildren told us her story about being the neighborhood hostess that we fell more in love with the place, and wanted to bring it back to life as a gathering space.” - Debbie
What’s your vision for The Whittlesey House?
“I am most looking forward to providing our community with something new, elevated, and different. I’m also hoping this will be a successful effort to draw people into our ever growing downtown area.” — Debbie
“I envision TWH hosting wellness retreats, movie nights on the lawn, and a wide range of fun and unique experiences for our community. I hope that it will be a place that sets new trends, sparks ideas, and fosters creativity within our town.” — Molly
How did you get into the hospitality industry?
The Whittlesey House, Pre-Renovation
Debbie got into the hospitality industry very unexpectedly and kind of as an accident. “My other business, The Bread House & Granary, started off as a bakery, but grew into a restaurant and event space when customers started requesting that we make sandwiches with the bread, chicken salad, and pimento cheese we carried in our retail store. We’d put to-go sandwiches in our retail store’s cooler, but then people started sitting in various parts of the building and eating them, which somehow resulted into who we are today: A farm-to-table lunch spot, bakery, and event space!”
Once The Bread House officially began hosting events, Molly would come home from college on the weekends to help her mom execute them — which made her realize she wanted to make a career out of this newfound passion. Upon graduating from college she took a job as an event planner at one of Nashville’s most reputable event planning companies. Now, she’s back-and-forth between Albany, GA and Charleston, SC, looking forward to hosting the first event at The Whittlesey House this fall.
The Bread House & Granary
What do you love about working in this industry?
Debbie says, “I love serving people and contributing to the making of their favorite memories and experiences.” And Molly “loves seeing all the planning, special detail and intentions, and fruits of her labor come together at each event.”
Have you always wanted to work together?
“No! We are total opposites and always have different opinions and feelings on everything. We rarely agree, but the times that we do agree on something always ends up being the best. Where we come together is over our shared love of furniture and antiques. We love antiquing and scavenging for unusual one-of-a-kind finds.” —Molly
Debbie, what’s your favorite part about working with Molly?
“Her attention to detail. She notices and sees things I don’t think most people even know to look for. There’s also a level of comfort and trust in working with her, not just because she’s my daughter, but because I know she puts her whole heart into things until she’s reached perfection.”
Molly, what’s your favorite part about working with Debbie?
“She never tells me my ideas or plans are too big or impossible and she always finds a way to make them happen. When we work together and put our heads together, the outcome is always something really great.”
What was your inspiration behind the interior design?
“The idea of mixing old and new with implementations of French Country elements.” — Molly
Venue Owner Debbie Mazur (left), Venue Director Molly Mazur (top), and General Manager Kayse Jordan
What was your inspiration behind the landscape design?
“A garden like you would find behind a home tucked away somewhere in the French countryside. Lush, overgrown, abundant in aromas and colorful blooms.” — Debbie
What’s your favorite spot in the house?
“The Parlour with its large original fireplace, and the French doors that open up to let the breeze inside.” — Molly
Romance in the Garden, French Country Style
Meet The Team
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Debbie Mazur
OWNER
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Molly Mazur
VENUE DIRECTOR
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Kayse Jordan
GENERAL MANAGER
