grimage, evening visitors to the our visitors something good to eat antebellum mansion can watch before they head home. It’s a wonlocal citizens dressed in period derful meal.” clothing talking about the families Another point of interest that owned Fendall Hall during a Many people stay at Lakepoint Recandlelight tour. Among the other sort State Park just outside of town. characters, re-enactors play Anna People could stay at the park lodge, Beall Young Dent, the second ownwhich offers hotel-style rooms, a er of Fendall Hall, and her husband, first-class restaurant and many othCapt. S.H. Dent, a Confederate war er amenities. Some visitors prefer to hero during the Civil War. rent a cabin or lakeside cottage. Oth“It takes the entire town to put on ers like staying in recreational vehithe Eufaula Pilgrimage each year,” In many of the homes open during the Eufaula Pilgrimage, cles parked in the campground. For Snead says. “Besides the people who musicians play old songs on classic instruments to entertain state park information, see alapark. open up their homes to the pub- guests. Here, two musicians in period clothing entertain com/lakepoint-state-park. lic, we have about 700 volunteers. visitors to the Shorter Mansion. The park sits on Lake Eufaula, Many young ladies wear antebellum one of the best fishing lakes in the nation. Created by a dam on dresses. Everyone puts in a lot of time and effort to get everything the Chattahoochee River, Lake Eufaula spreads across 45,181 acres just right. In some homes, the architecture is the most important spanning part of the Alabama-Georgia border. Officially called thing. In other homes, it might be the antique furnishings or the Walter F. George Reservoir, the impoundment provides outstandhistory of the building, but they all have great histories.” ing fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bream and other During home tours and other events, musicians play instruspecies. Some bass exceed 10 pounds. ments such as fiddles, flutes or dulcimers. At the library, children People who can’t make the spring Pilgrimage might consider visdress up like historical figures and talk about their characters. iting Eufaula on Dec. 7. Each year since 2005, the town has held People can also enjoy the outdoor art show on the Randolph a one-day Christmas Tour of Homes. This year, it will feature six Street median, which runs parallel to Eufaula Avenue. Visitors historic homes. can also participate in afternoon teas at the mansion, an antiques “It’s absolutely beautiful!” Snead says. “It’s been a huge success show, photo exhibits and other activities. for us. Besides the home tours, we’ll have a wonderful lunch at the “We always invite a featured speaker to make a presentation at Shorter Mansion. Everything will be beautifully decorated for the the Eufaula Pilgrimage luncheon,” Snead says. “This year, Megan holidays.” Larussa, a stylist from Birmingham, will be teaching the womPeople can purchase tickets for the various events and activities. en different ways to dress with ease. The luncheon takes place on For complete schedules and other information, call 1-888-EUFAUApril 6 at the Eufaula Country Club. On the Sunday of the PilLA (888-383-2852) or visit eufaulapilgrimage.com.n grimage, we always hold a brunch at the Shorter Mansion to give Left, During the Eufaula Pilgrimage, many town residents get into the spirit of the event by dressing in 19th century attire. Here, Christy Mancill in an antebellum dress and Commander Jan Spitzer, dressed in a 19th century naval uniform, greet visitors to the Shorter Mansion. Right, a town resident dresses in old-fashioned clothing to show off the mansions.
22 APRIL 2019
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