Demopolis chamber holds ribbon cutting for $1.4M in renovations at historic Gaineswood home

The sound of conversation filled the front lawn of Gaineswood on Thursday as community members, preservationists and state officials gathered beneath the towering columns of the historic home to celebrate the completion of a $1.4 million renovation project.

The Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting marking the end of the latest phase of repairs to the exterior of the Greek Revival mansion on Cedar Avenue, a project that took about a year and a half to complete.

Built between 1843 and 1862 by owner and self-taught architect Nathan Bryan Whitfield, Gaineswood has long stood as one of Alabama’s most recognized historic homes. State officials and preservation experts said the latest work was another step in an ongoing effort to protect the structure for future generations.

“This is one of many phases,” said Eleanor Cunningham, historic sites division director for the Alabama Historical Commission. “With an old house, the work is never done.”

Cunningham said the completed work focused on the exterior of the home, including repairs to the roof, stucco and woodwork, along with restoration of the observatory railing atop the house.

Most of the funding came through a state bond issue, with additional support from the Friends of Gaineswood.

Architect Dick Hudgens, who has worked in historic restoration since 1979 and frequently partners with the Alabama Historical Commission, detailed the extensive repairs completed during the project.

Crews addressed roof leaks by preserving the existing unique copper roof and sealing it with a product carrying a 15-year warranty. Structural repairs were made in the ballroom, termite damage was repaired, and cracks in plaster were stabilized. Workers also recreated decorative castings in the dining room, installed new flooring on the porches and added museum-quality glass to the cupolas to help preserve the building.

Hudgens said Gaineswood’s craftsmanship continues to impress even seasoned preservation experts.

“You get an appreciation for the quality of craftsmanship that built these buildings because it was all built by hand,” he said.

He called Gaineswood an important national treasure and described it as “the grandest antebellum home in Alabama” and one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country.

“The builder, Whitfield, was a self-taught architect and engineer, and he did things you don’t see anywhere else,” Hudgens said. “It’s amazing how well it has survived over the years.”

More from this section

Study reveals how to protect dogs from deadly breathing condition

AI-generated fantasies of US intervention reveal how desperation has narrowed Cuba’s political horizons

Are You Doom Spending? 5 Ways to Stop

Even with the completed repairs, Hudgens said major work still remains. The home’s aging HVAC system needs replacement, shutters currently in storage must be restored and reinstalled, and interior plaster damage still needs extensive attention. He estimated those future repairs could cost another $1 million or more.

Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins said preserving Gaineswood has been a multigenerational effort involving local supporters, historians and the state.

“This is not just something from the last few months,” Collins said. “This has taken years.”

Collins thanked the local historical society, state officials and community supporters for continuing to invest in preserving the landmark.

“We’re proud to have this home in Demopolis,” he said.

John Northcutt, representing Friends of Gaineswood, said he was overwhelmed by the turnout for the ceremony and credited the nice spring weather.

The organization was established in 1996 to help raise money and provide local support for the property. Since 2016, the group has also handled day-to-day operations and tours of the house in partnership with the Alabama Historical Commission.

Thursday’s celebration also marked another milestone in Gaineswood’s history — the 60th anniversary of the State of Alabama’s ownership of the property. The state purchased the home from a private owner for $92,000 before eventually transferring it to the Alabama Historical Commission in 1972, Northcutt said. After a four-year restoration project, the house opened as a museum in 1975.

Cunningham noted that the earlier major restoration in the 1970s was tied to the nation’s Bicentennial celebration.

“Here we are at the 250th anniversary of America and we are still repairing Gaineswood,” Cunningham said.

As visitors toured the grounds after the ribbon cutting, many paused to admire the towering white columns, statues and intricate details that have made Gaineswood one of Alabama’s most recognizable historic homes for generations.