A Gala For Gaineswood
It was a fabulous time in a hot town Saturday night at the Twentieth Anniversary Celebration and Gala of the Friends of Gaineswood. The celebration was a night of frolic and fun while honoring those who have truly helped in ensuring Gaineswood’s restoration, preservation and interpretation. In these twenty years, the Friend’s of Gaineswood, along with a Save America’s Treasures matching grant, has raised over a half a million dollars to keep this beautiful treasure alive for all to behold.
One of America’s finest Greek Revival houses, Gaineswood is a visual masterpiece. Exceptional interior spaces have domed ceilings, elaborate plasterwork and a facing pair of gilt mirrors that endlessly reflect each other in the ballroom. Designed by owner and amateur architect General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, Gaineswood was constructed during 1843-1861. Some of the elaborate work was executed by African-American slaves. The house museum contains many original Whitfield family furnishings and objects. The grounds features a gazebo, a slave house and a small building that was most likely a detached kitchen.
The night started by being greeted at the door and walking under a beautifully decorated white tent with an array of music being performed live by “The Grand Band”. The food was catered by “Catering by Gayle” from Marion, Alabama. The caterer, Gail Rayfield, chose an excellent menu of southern style hors d’oeuvres. She served everything from shrimp and rice to sweet potato tartlets and every kind of mini cupcake your pallet could desire.
Soon to be 91 year old Nellie Whitfield Ulmer, one of the oldest living descendants of the Whitfield family, attended the beautiful soiree. She seemed to enjoy herself thoroughly along with her son and daughter-in-law M.B. and Luanna Ulmer, who traveled all the way from South Carolina to accompany her. And may I say, the South Carolina couple really entertained us all with their fancy footwork on the dance floor. What a joy it is was to meet them all.
Also traveling to Gaineswood for the gala was Dr. Terence Leary. Dr. Leary stated that he owns the cousin home of Gaineswood, the Whitfield-Holmes house, which was built in 1866 by Dr. Needham Hatch Whitfield, in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
John Northcutt, president of the Friends of Gaineswood, recognized all of the current and former members of the society.
Current Friends of Gaineswood board members include Northcutt; Tarlee Brown, vice president; Whit Bird, treasurer; William Gantt, secretary; Carolyn Bell; Mafus R. Bird; Annye Braxton; Bryan W. Compton; Laura Foster; Willard McCall; John McKinley; Peggy Ragland; Kelley F. Mullins; J. George Whitfield; and Becky Willis.
Mr Northcutt also thanked all of the corporate and individual sponsors for their donations over the years. Corporate sponsors include Vowell’s Fresh Market, RockTenn, CEMEX Materials, Clover Fork Coal, Robertson Banking Company, Best Western, attorney Bill Coplin, Colony Office Supply, State Farm agent Kris Mullins, M&W Productions and Parr’s, Inc. Individual sponsors include David T. Compton, Buddy Gallon, Archie and Lee Griffin, Buddy and Martha Griffith, Mr. and Mrs. Willard McCall Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John McKinley, John and Nancy Northcutt, Amme Whitfield, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mason Paschall and Mr. and Mrs. John Osgood.
He then gave a special recognition to the founding President, Lee Griffin, for her years of service since 1994.
After enjoying the sights and sounds under the big top, we went inside Gaineswood for a grand tour narrated by the beautiful Gaineswood Belles. One of the Belles, Shoni Jones, stated, “My favorite part of the tour is have people stop in the back bedroom and look at the architecture of the “curved” window. All of the windows are flat but the way it was built gives the elision that the glass is curved.” How refreshing to meet a teenager who finds history and architecture exciting.
The food was fabulous, the band was a joy, and the company was a delight. If you weren’t there you really missed a party.
In an interview before the gala, John Northcutt stated, “There is still so much to do. This will be a year of changes and hard decisions for the Friends of Gainswood but I am confident we will come to a solution. We really can’t take our treasures for granted.” He hoped that having this gala would bring attention to those who might be interested in joining the Friends of Gaineswood and to help continue the preservation of this beautiful treasure.
If you would like to donate or become part of the Friends of Gaineswood, please contact the site director, Eleanor Cunningham or The Director of Collection and Interpretation, Bruce Lipscombe, at 334-289-4846.