Our story begins in 1898 with Tilly and William Braxton Barr, who originally built our historic farmhouse for their family to live in, after purchasing 223 acres of land formerly known as Sprinkle, Texas - which included a post office, churches, a school, and a railroad station. The town remained active until the 1930’s and eventually was absorbed into the growing city of Austin.
The Mansion remained a home for the Barr family throughout the century, unfortunately eventually falling into disrepair. When Melanie McAfee, our founder, came across it in 1981, she knew with every fiber of her being that this was the right property to pursue her lifelong dream of renovating a historic building. Years of construction and hard work while raising her own family in the Mansion, turned into a passionate life in the events industry as Austin began to discover and share her love for this hidden gem.
The love of the Barr Mansion Estate and everything our family has built over the years, plus a passion for hosting events and creating memories for our clients, was passed down to me – Abby Daigle, current owner and daughter of our founder. Growing up on property surrounded by events from a young age instilled a passion in me for hosting events. In the industry for over 20 years, it is with great pleasure that I pick up the family torch and keep this Austin treasure alive.
From our family to yours, we cannot wait to meet you and share our story with you.