Lakewood

It’s a celebration of 200 years of the Canebrake of Alabama!

The historical societies of Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry and Sumter counties have come together to open the doors of more than 25 rarely-open historic houses and sites over two weekends during Canebrake Homecoming, March 23 and 24 and March 29-31. 

A historical region of West-Central Alabama’s Black Belt, the Canebrake was once dominated by thickets of Arundinaria, a type of bamboo, or cane, native to North America. Centered at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Black Warrior rivers, the Canebrake extended eastward to include large parts of Hale, Marengo, and Perry counties, also including portions of Greene and Sumter counties.

Naturalist William Bartram’s described during his travels along the Tombigbee River in 1775 cane that was “thick as a man’s arm, or three or four inches in diameter; I suppose one joint of some of them would contain above a quart of water.”

Among sites featured during the first weekend of Canebrake Homecoming is a rare example of Gothic Revival architecture in Alabama, Waldwic, which was built in 1840. Sites are open Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, March 24, from 1-5 p.m. 

The Oaks, built in 1845 and also open during the first weekend, is a beautiful two-story example of the bracketed vernacular boxed Greek revival featuring an unusual full upper gallery. Located in Greensboro, The Oaks was built by Philip Happel. Current owner Ian Crawford is an instructor in interior design specializing in historic preservation and material culture. Fascinated with the 19th century, Crawford has brought this passion to life in both the furnishings of his home and the recreation of its gardens. Guests can tour these plus 14 additional sites during the first weekend of Canebrake Homecoming.  

The second weekend of Canebrake Homecoming, March 30 and 31, features sites in Greene and Sumter counties.

Located in Greene County, Thornhill, completed in 1833 by Alabama’s third Secretary of State James Innes Thornton, will be open during the second weekend. It is widely believed noted architect William Nichols Sr. designed Thornhill. Thornton went on to erect a small schoolhouse on the grounds of Thornhill in 1845 for his children and those of neighboring plantations. Private tutors were hired from Tuscaloosa to instruct the children. 

Lakewood, in Sumter County, will also be open during the second weekend of Canebrake Homecoming. This Greek Revival, two-and-a-half-story house completed in 1840, was recently restored by Sidney Collins Freeman and her husband Jake, and was featured in Southern Living Magazine. Placed on the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation and the Alabama Historical Commission’s Places in Peril list in 2012, Lakewood was in danger of being lost. The restoration was a labor of love for Sidney as the house has been in her family for seven generations.

Ticket holders can tour Lakewood and more than a dozen other sites during the second weekend of Canebrake Homecoming, Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, March 24, from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to tour these rarely-open sites in the Canebrake. Tickets may be purchased online at canebrakehomecoming.com or at designated sites in each county. Admission to the first weekend is $60 per person, and the second-weekend admission is $40 per person. Take advantage of the two-weekend package deal of $75 which includes both weekends of Canebrake Homecoming. There is a student rate for those under 18 and over 18 with a current student ID. Student tickets are only available at the designated sites in each county. 

But wait … there’s more.

Each county is also hosting an extra event during the two weekends.

Hale County Historical Society is hosting Hale County’s Treasures, Saturday, March 23, from 7-9:30 p.m. A culinary and musical celebration of Hale County’s heritage to be held in Greensboro’s historic Opera House amidst an exhibit of the county’s treasures. The event is BYOB with set-ups provided. Admission is $50 and reservations are required. Contact The Partridge Berry in Greensboro or Tuscaloosa, 334-624-9009 or 205-349-2119, respectively, for more information.

On Sunday, March 24, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Perry County Historical & Preservation Society will sell barbecue lunch plates for $15 at the Marion Female Seminary, with live music by sister and brother duo VK and Mac Spencer. The barbecue will be provided by A & S Backyard Barbecue. Call for advance tickets.

As part of the Canebrake Homecoming a quilt show, museum tours, and more will be inside the Seminary from 1-5 p.m. 

Enjoy a Historic Evening at Thornhill, on Friday, March 29, from 6-10 p.m. Hosted by the Greene County Historical Society, the evening at Thornhill includes piano music and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The event is BYOB with set-ups provided. Admission is $25 at the gate of Thornhill.

GCHS will also sell boxed lunches on Saturday, March 30, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Vaughn-Morrow House in Eutaw. Walk through Vaughn-Morrow and pick up your choice of: barbecue (chicken or pork) or the trio (chicken salad, tuna salad, and pasta salad), with drink and dessert. $15 per person at the site.

The Marengo County Historical Society will host Evening on the Avenues, Saturday, March 30, from 5-8 p.m. in historic downtown Demopolis. Ticket includes an evening tour of four private residences (not on the Canebrake Homecoming tour) and a boxed dinner and tour of Lyon Hall, followed by MarketStreet Jazz in Public Square. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes the tour and dinner, and may be purchased before the event at Bluff Hall in Demopolis, that night at Lyon Hall, 102 S. Main Ave., Demopolis, or online at canebrakehomecoming.com

Wrapping up Canebrake Homecoming, the Sumter County Historical & Preservation Society will host Gainesville churches and barbecue on Sunday, March 31 with an 11 a.m. church service at Gainesville Presbyterian in Gainesville, Alabama. 

Following the service, dinner will be served on the grounds from noon-2 p.m., with Sumter County barbecue and Epes Supper Club sauce. Barbecue plates are $15 each and reservations are recommended. Contact Valerie Pope Burnes at 334-300-5766. 

For more information on Canebrake Homecoming, the two-weekend event, the extras, and tickets, visit canebrakehomecoming.com