The Tour of Homes will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 10 am – 5 pm and will feature ten homes, two churches and other historic sites in Pine Apple!

The homes featured this year include Oak Hall – the Purifoy-Melton-Norred home, c. 1840, moved to Pine Apple in 1937, Hawthorne House, c. 1852 (pictured above), Greenleaves – the Powell-Grimes home, c. 1854, Four Oaks Bend, the Luckie-Williamson-Bennett home, c. 1882, Melton Hotel – the Melton-Jenkins-Santamore-Lamkin home, c. 1885, Mockingbird House – the Feagin-Weitzel-Robinson home, c. 1887, Thirty Columns – the Adams-Stone home, c. 1900, Sears Catalog, Magnolia Kit, the Chapman-Pugh home, c. 1912, the Pine Apple Bungalow, c. 1920, and Camellia Manor – the Stallworth-Norred-Shierling home, c. 1930.

Churches and other buildings on tour include Friendship Baptist Church, founded 1825 – current building, 1948, Pine Apple Methodist Church, founded 1872 – current building c. 1890, Moore Academy, founded 1882, current building 1923, Old Barn Museum, c. 1854, Roberts Log Cabin, c. 1860, moved to Pine Apple Town Park in 2008 and Matheson Library, c. 1927. Cemeteries included are Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, established 1847, Pine Apple Methodist Church Cemetery, established 1880 and the Christian Church Cemetery, established 1886.

We are excited to welcome the Right Honorable Countess of Carnarvon of Downton Abbey’s unforgettable Highclere Castle as the Guest Speaker of our 2023 Tour of Homes in Pine Apple!

For our Royal, Golden, and Highclere Ticket Holders, the weekend starts Friday, March 24th, with our 2023 Guest Speaker, the Right Honorable Countess of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, site of the hit series “Downton Abbey.” The Wilcox Historical Society and Lady Carnarvon offer a day full of royal experiences March 24. From a lovely luncheon to an exclusive champagne adorned conversation at Wakefield, you’ll spend the day sharing and celebrating with Lady Carnarvon during her first visit to Alabama.

2023 TICKET PACKAGES

THE ROYAL PACKAGE $400 per person SOLD OUT

Our most exclusive option. Lady Carnarvon will share a glass of champagne and conversation at historic Wakefield Plantation, with Royal Guests prior to Friday Evening’s Welcome Reception. In addition, you will receive a personalized, signed copy of her book. Cocktail Attire Required. Valet parking will be provided. The Royal Package includes:

Exclusive, Private Cocktail Party Friday 3/24 – 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Welcome Reception, The Highclere Experience Friday 3/24 – 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Ticket to Tour of Homes, Pine Apple, AL Saturday 3/25 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Personalized, Signed Copy of Seasons at Highclere

* The Royal Package does not include Friday Morning’s Luncheon with Lady Carnarvon.

THE GOLDEN PACKAGE $300 per person 100 tickets available – ONLY 10 available as of February 24th!

Start your day with an exclusive luncheon where you will meet and have a photo opportunity with our guest of honor, The Right Honorable Countess of Carnarvon. She will open Tour Weekend with welcome remarks followed by a traditional Southern Luncheon at historic Wakefield Plantation. Golden Guests will receive a signed copy of her book Seasons at Highclere as well. The Golden Package includes:

Private luncheon and photo opportunity w/ Lady Carnarvon Friday 3/24 – 11:00 am – 1:00pm

Ticket to Tour of Homes, Pine Apple, AL Saturday 3/25-10:00 am-5:00pm

Signed Copy of Seasons at Highclere

* The Golden Package does not include Friday Evening’s Welcome Reception with Lady Carnarvon.

THE HIGHCLERE PACKAGE $200 per person  240 tickets available – ONLY 20 available as of February 24th!

Join us for our Tour of Homes Welcome Reception at historic Wakefield Plantation, the Highclere Experience, featuring our guest speaker the Right Honorable Countess of Carnarvon. She will share her experiences preserving her home Highclere Castle with a visual presentation followed by a question and answer session with Lady Carnarvon. Live music, wine, and heavy hor d’oeuvres as well as a Highclere Gin Station will add to the festivities as we toast the start of our Tour. Cocktail Attire. Valet parking will be provided. The Highclere Package includes:

Welcome Reception, The Highclere Experience Friday 3/24 – 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Ticket to the Tour of Homes, Pine Apple, AL Saturday 3/25 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

THE TOUR PACKAGE $50 per person ONLY 200 available as of February 24th!

Discover the beauty of Pine Apple, Alabama, Saturday, March 25th, 2023, as you explore nine beautiful homes, two historic churches, and its impressive school building, Moore Academy. During your visit you will experience stunning architecture, rich history, and quintessential Southern hospitality.

* All ticket packages include a Tour of Homes Ticket, Saturday, March 25, and a complimentary Southern Breakfast Served at The Brittany House Antiques in Oak Hill, Alabama from 8:30 am – 10:00 am Saturday Morning, 3/25.

SIGNED BOOK OPTION $50 per book Only 100 available

Lady Carnarvon will personally sign a copy of her latest book Seasons at Highclere. Take home an autographed copy as a keepsake of this special weekend. One signed book comes with the Royal & Golden Packages.

***Eventbrite Ticket link here!***

MUSIC FOR FRIDAY’S WELCOME RECEPTION

We are very excited to welcome back music from Tommy Ward at the Welcome Reception on Friday night. Mr. Ward has been compared to Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble. He is a singer and musician with a classic sound and silky voice. Read more about Tommy Ward below :

“Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. At only 25 years old, he has already made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, and his videos on social media have racked up millions of views. Ward’s newly released EP “From This Moment On,” (2022) produced by LeCoq Records, showcases his stunning vocal abilities and features truly unique arrangements played by some of the world’s most respected musicians, including Bill Cunliffe, John Pattitucci, Vinny Colaiuta, and others. His previous EPs “Forget Me Not” and “Merry Christmas” both reached the Top 10 on iTunes jazz charts on the first day of their release.

Ward’s most recent recording, “Home” with GRAMMY nominated country artist Mark Winston Kirk, is currently in the Top 100 on regional radio and is being played in more than 15 states across the United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. At 17, he and his band were one of the youngest opening acts in Las Vegas history, completing 90 shows for Billboard #1 artist and Las Vegas headliner of the year, Frankie Moreno. Ward has also had a widely celebrated opening act run for comedy legend Louie Anderson during his tenure at the Plaza Hotel.

In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. He often uses his platform to raise awareness for various charitable causes and uses his talents to give back to his community. Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry.”

LUNCH OPTIONS FOR TOUR DAY, SATURDAY

Several options for lunch will be available in Pine Apple on Saturday with vendors set up at the Moore Academy Gymnasium. More information coming soon!

LODGING SUGGESTIONS – We strongly suggest you make reservations EARLY as lodging options are limited.

GREENVILLE, ALABAMA – 30 minutes from Pine Apple

1. Hampton Inn, Greenville, AL

219 Interstate Dr, Greenville, AL 36037

334-382-9631

2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Greenville, AL

100 Paul Stabler Dr, Greenville, AL 36037

334-382-2444

3. Comfort Inn, Greenville, AL

1029 Fort Dale Rd, Greenville, AL 36037

334-383-9595

CAMDEN, ALABAMA – 25 minutes from Pine Apple

1. Liberty Hall Bed & Breakfast – SOLD OUT

2. Capell House Bed & Breakfast – SOLD OUT

3. Pleasant Ridge Bed & Breakfast – SOLD OUT

4. Roland Cooper State Park -Only 5 cabins left as of February 7th!

Roland Cooper State Park in Camden, Alabama, offers mini cabins that have been popular with Tour of Homes guests for several years.

Cabins 10, 11, 24, 31, & 40 are est. 400 sq. ft., two bedrooms, with a queen bed in one room and two sets of bunk beds in the other room. There is a full bath, kitchen, living room, and exterior deck. These cabins are located within the camping loop.

Cabins 21-1 and 22 are ADA accessible. Cabin 22 is one bedroom with two queen beds, a full bath, kitchen, and living room. Cabin 21-1 is one bedroom with one queen bed, a full bath, kitchen, and living room.

The 408 square foot cabins, sleep 4-6 people and rent for $125.00 per day and $700.00 weekly.

TWO FLOOR PLANS

There are two floor plans available. Some of the cabins have two bedrooms and can sleep up to six people. There is a master bedroom with a queen bed. The other bedroom has two sets of bunks and sleeps four people.

One of the “tiny house” cabins is ADA compliant. It has one bedroom with two queen beds and has a wheelchair friendly bathroom and shower. All of the doorways are wide enough for wheelchair mobility. This cabin also has a wheelchair ramp to the main entrance.

All of the cabins have a full kitchen with a gas range, microwave oven, coffee maker and fridge with an ice maker. The kitchen is fully stocked with dishes, pots and pans and utensils. Each have a dinette area with TV and all of the units have central heat and AC.

Reservations can be made online or by calling the office at 334-682-4838.

5. Lakeside Cabins

Lakeside RV & Cabin Rentals is located on the Camden Bypass, 25 minutes from Pine Apple. This 7 cabin/9 RV park has just added “The Hank,” a 2 bedroom (queen), 2 bath, with kitchen, WIFI & cable TV.

The “Sadie”, “Kaleb”, “Brett”, & “Avery” are 1-bedroom (2 full), 1 bath cabins.

The “Sophie” is a 2 bedroom (1 queen/1 king) 1 bath with kitchen.

There are also 9 RV sites with full hook-up & WIFI, plus excellent cell service.

For reservation or information call 334-740-2005.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Lady Carnarvon’s visit and the 2023 WHS Tour of Homes in lovely Pine Apple please contact us at wilcoxhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

© Highclere Castle 2015 © Adam Hillier Photography