The smell of freshly broken ground after a rain shower sends farmers searching for almanacs and children scurrying to locate ball gloves. The sun dwells a little longer to secure the unwrapping of nature’s present. The rebirth of nature begins with crocuses followed by tulips, daffodils and exploding azaleas. It is spring — a feast for the senses.
In the Southeast, spring often means pilgrimages and home and garden tours. From sister states Alabama and Mississippi to the Carolinas, towns are putting their best foot forward to welcome the visitors that come to view spring’s bounty.
Alabama Pilgrimages, Tours
Visitors in search of stately homes of the past punctuated by glorious spring gardens will find them on these tours. Often the hostesses are “belles” decked out in hoop skirts and wide-brimmed hats.
Now in its 41st year, the Eufaula Pilgrimage will take place April 7–9. Glenn Kasper, executive director of the Eufaula Heritage Association, said the city is noted for its Greek Revival and Italianate mansions.
“We are fortunate to have over 700 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places,” he noted. “Many of the homes have also been featured on the television channel HGTV (Home & Garden Television).” Visitors can also explore historic churches and browse art shows. For information call 1-888-383-2852 or visit www.eufaulapilgrimage.com.
Selma will celebrate its 31st Annual Historic Pilgrimage and antique show and sale March 17–19. Sponsored by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society (SDCHPS), the event will feature three houses that have never been on pilgrimage before, said Nancy Bennett, SDCHPS president.
The tour features 15 historic stops, according to the pilgrimage Web site. For information call 1-800-45Selma or visit www.pilgrimage.selmaalabama.com.
Tuscaloosa will host its Heritage Week April 2–9. Susan Haynes, executive director of the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society, said the society operates four historic landmarks in Tuscaloosa, including the Battle-Friedman House. The house, built in 1835, is surrounded by one of Alabama’s last remaining antebellum gardens. The historic Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion and Gorgas House are also open to visitors. For information call 205-758-2238 or visit www.historictuscaloosa.org.
Anniston’s Garden & Home Tour, sponsored by the Anniston Museum of Natural History, takes place May 12, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. “The tour will include four to five gardens, and some of these homes will be open as well,” said Lindie Brown, development director of the museum. For information call 256-237-6766 or visit www.annistonmuseum.org.
Southeast Pilgrimages
In Natchez, Miss., the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River welcomes visitors to its spring pilgrimage March 10–April 14. Almost every street in Natchez’s historic district boasts homes that are designated National Historic Landmarks or are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Natchez has one of the greatest concentrations of pre-Civil War structures in the United States,” said Mimi Miller, director of programs for the Historic Natchez Foundation.
During this 74th year of the pilgrimage, 28 antebellum homes will be on tour, including both public and private residences. Plays, pagentry and musicals will also be offered.
Two of the most well-known houses are Stanton Hall and Longwood. Stanton Hall, a palatial Greek Revival-style mansion, hosts Songs of the South, an evening pilgrimage event that features a mixture of Stephen Foster, traditional spirituals and showboat tunes.
Longwood is noted for its octagonal design and features a 16-sided cupola. But the home’s construction, which began in 1860, was halted by the Civil War, noted James Coy III, operations manager of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours. “When the Civil War began, the workmen dropped their tools and walked away, and many of the tools are still there.”
For information call 1-800-647-6742 or visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com.
The Historic Charleston Foundation’s 59th Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens will be held March 16–April 15 in Charleston, S.C. “This spring will offer visitors a rare glimpse into the interiors and gardens of more than 150 of the city’s private (historic) residences,” said Leigh Handal, director of marketing and public programs for the foundation. Visitors can also take part in Glorious Gardens and Premier Gardens tours.
For information call 843-723-1623 or visit www.historiccharleston.org.
And in Wilmington, N.C., the 59th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival is a springtime favorite, held April 5–9. Visitors can enjoy historic home and garden tours, a beauty pageant and parade. For information call 1-866-534-0848 or visit www.ncazaleafestival.org.
Visitors to Macon, Ga., can explore the city’s moonlit mansions and secret gardens with the Macon Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight event May 5–7. According to Bert Brantley, communications manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the event has been named one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. For information call 478-742-8155 or visit www.hayhouse.org.
Country music singer Darryl Worley is set to headline the International Dogwood Festival in Winchester, Tenn., April 7–9. For information call 1-866-967-2532 or visit www.winchesterdogwoodfestival.com.
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