This year marks the 72nd Annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage which is a spectacular event that displays the most glorious and authentic antebellum homes in the South. It was so delightful to see the men, women, and children all dressed in time period attire.
It was a lovely experience that I want to share with y’all! I would also like to thank Nancy Carpenter for her kindness and hospitality! Nancy Carpenter is the Columbus/Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director, Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation Executive Director, and the Director of the Columbus Spring Pilgrimage. Miss Nancy was soo darling to my mom, dad, and me!
I’d like to give a shout-out to all the super sweet people I met while attending the Pilgrimage! They were all so precious and excited to have a blogger visiting and reporting about the awesomeness of their historical homes and city! It made me feel so special and welcome:)
I encourage you to go and see these pulchritudinous homes for yourself! There is still time to attend the Columbus Spring Pilgrimage because it doesn’t end until April 7.
Twelve Gables was the first home we visited, and is located within walking distance from the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center. It was a beautiful day for a nice little stroll with the family.
Me and Mrs. Ray Gildea Jr., the owner of the home Twelve Gables. Mrs. Gildea is an adorable story teller with a true passion for the history of her home! I loved her warm welcome and background story of the home Twelve Gables.
Twelve Gables is known for being the gathering place of local women who in 1866 planned a decoration day for the graves of the Confederate soldiers in Friendship Cemetery. "An early memorial ceremony honoring the Civil War soldiers buried in Friendship Cemetery has been credited as the forerunner of the modern Memorial Day." (http://www.thecityofcolumbusms.org/primary.asp?t=9&p=68) According to legend, one woman suggested that they put flowers on Union soldiers graves because they were also someone's sons.
A few cool facts that I learned about Twelve Gables while visiting it:
- The facade of the home has the same carved Ashlar pattern as Mount Vernon.
- The home is insulated with cedar chips.
- I learned that suitors’ calling cards were quite interesting…I’m afraid my dad may have gotten some ideas…
I love the birds on this wallpaper, and the green because it is one of my VIP colors:)
Is there anything better than blue and white together??? I'm feeling outfit inspiration...
This Flowers Dictionary is by a Lady because women of that era were not allowed to put their names on books. This dictionary is located at the Twelve Gables home.
One of the upstairs bedrooms in Twelve Gables. The rug is absolutely gorgeous!
How cute:)
People from here, yonder, and everywhere were at the home tours on Saturday, March 31!
My parents and I then continued our stroll several blocks to White Arches. Along the way, I encountered squirrels frolicking, bees buzzing, birds chirping, people enjoying the carriage rides and double-decker bus tour, and other charming historical homes.
Me outside White Arches which was built in 1857. The current owners are Mr. and Mrs. Dick Leike.
My favorite thing about this edifice is the “tower” which is really a cupola… inside there are stairs leading to a small room and observation deck which was used by the women looking for their husbands returing from the War Between the States…many of these women descended the stairs as widows…that is how it became known as “the widow’s walk”. The porch ceilings of this home are painted sky blue in order to keep insects and birds from building nests…this is the idea my dad really needs to take home!
The crowds outside White Arches learning about the history of the home.
The architecture of White Arches is called "Columbus Eclectic" which is a combination of Greek Revival, Gothic, and Italianate. The details and craftmanship of White Arches is inexplicable!
The front door entrance is surrounded by red Venetian glass which took gold to make and represents wealth. The home has time period furnishings, Stanton Hall fabric pattern (as in Natchez, Mississippi), and suprisingly modern amenities like an incredible bath that was created from a porch. A cool factoid is the private balcony of the blue bedroom, which was originally General Harris’s daughter’s room, has no outside handles on the doors to prevent intruders and especially suitors from entering…I am sure…once again, my dad was given a brilliant idea!
Me and Mrs. Leike, such a super sweet lady and dressed so darling!
The last stop on the Yellow Tour was Rosedale…I do not recommend walking to Rosedale…even though some of the tourists did. My family and I used the drive as a perfect time for a water break…and a chance to cool down from the mid 80s temperature.
Rosedale, consisting of approximately 500,000 handmade bricks is furnished with Rococo Revival and Renaissance furnishings. Mr. and Mrs. Imes, the current owners, hired an architect to restore this antebellum home to its original glory. Some say that Rosedale is named after the rose that is carved into the mantel in the ladies’ parlor. Rosedale has the most fabulous faux painting ever! Some of the baseboards and mantels were painted to look like marble and fine wood…I am still not convinced that they were painted:) One of the coolest features of the home is the Gib windows which open to allow not only ventilation, but walk through access to the porch. Rosedale houses an extensive collection of John Henry Belter furnishings.
Rosedale was built in 1856 and the current owners are Mr. and Mrs. Gene Imes.
Children playing outside of Rosedale.
This was only the first three homes that we toured…my next blog will contain the Blue Tour places which are Whitehall, Rosewood Manor and Gardens, and Colonnade Garden.
While at the Columbus Pilgrimage, I visited a vintage store called The Attic! It is so AWESOME! I could spend all day in there just trying on and picking out things!
In a later blog, I will be showing you the vintage finds I purchased from The Attic!
To follow The Attic on facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/Atticville
To learn more about Columbus and the Pilgrimage, visit http://www.thecityofcolumbusms.org/index.asp & http://www.columbus-ms.org
IMPORTANT: If you are NOT following me on TWITTER and INSTAGRAM please do so to keep up with me while I’m on the go!
Feel free to leave comments or suggestions…..
Thanks&Hugs
Abby Hathorn
Such lovely, historic places; I loved this post, Abby!
Thank so much! Your support is much appreciated!
I would love to see the interior of the White Arches conservatory.
Pictures inside of White Arches were not allowed, but it was so fabulous! You should definitely visit the Columbus Spring Pilgrimage next year! Such a beautiful experience!