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Special Events and Public Programs

Gaineswood offers a variety of public programs and special events for the education and entertainment of visitors.  The most popular program, of course, is the guided tour.  But Gaineswood has other programs offering more than the guided tour.  Programs and events include:

Heritage Appreciation Days--Co-hosted with Marengo County Historical Society.

Begun October 1998 for local 4th graders studying Alabama History, this annual program was moved to spring in 2001.  Students learn local history and experience 19th Century life interactively.  Open also to the public, the 2002 event is March 14-15.  Shown pouring boiled soap are John and Linda Wilson of Linden, presenters at Heritage Appreciation Day 2000.

Gaineswood Day—Hosted by Friends of Gaineswood

On a Saturday each spring (the 2001 event was postponed to direct funds to restoration), this event encourages public support for preservation.  Tours of the home, and music and fellowship outside, make the day fun for those who attend. The highlight of the day for many is the mouth-watering barbecue cooked by  Dr. Bony Barrineau  and his support staff.  Bony and Co. start cooking the night before, luring quite a few “helpers” and “food testers” to the scene. There is not yet a date for Gaineswood Day 2002, but the event figures to be memorable, as restoration of the domes should be complete, or nearly complete.

Staff Appreciation Day The only Gaineswood event NOT open to the public, this mid-September cookout honors the many Demopolis-area paid and unpaid staff who contribute during the previous year to make  other events and programs successful. Gaineswood is grateful to the many persons in the Demopolis area who give so freely of their time.  The inaugural event in 2001 attracted about 80 persons. No date has been set for 2002.

Marengo Wildwood Festival Gaineswood always participates in the annual Marengo Wildwood Festival, held in the Marengo County seat of Linden every October since 1999.  Gaineswood hosted Heritage Day for area schoolchildren in 1999, slide and lecture presentations in 2000, and displays at Linden’s Scott Park in 2001.

“A Candlelight Evening At Gaineswood”, in conjunction with Christmas In The Canebrake, co-hosted with the Marengo County Historical Society (MCHS)---Held annually on Thursday evening during Demopolis’ renowned Christmas On The River week, “A Candlelight Evening”  is Gaineswood’s most popular and well-attended event.

This event showcases Gaineswood in candlelit, period decoration.  Musical and/or theatrical presentations are repeated throughout the evening. CHRISTMAS IN THE CANEBRAKE 2001 will be Thursday, November 29, from 5:30-8:30 P.M. at Gaineswood and Bluff Hall.   Admission to each house is $2 per person, ages 12 and up ($4 for both houses).  Theme for this year is “Yuletides of Yesteryear.” AT GAINESWOOD, travel writer Joan Broerman and historian/musician Dr. W. Stuart Harris will give musical presentations throughout the evening.  The music of the flutina (barrel organ) will also be played.  BLUFF HALL will feature music every half-hour.