We are thrilled to announce that the 12th Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Luke and Julie Montagu, will be the Guest Speakers at our Tour of Homes, March 21 – 22, 2025. The Montagus will share stories of England’s great houses, including their own home, Mapperton, considered the finest Manor House in England. Join the Wilcox Historical Society in March as we welcome English Aristocracy to Alabama once again! Tickets are limited and available on eventbrite.com.
Julie Montagu (Countess of Sandwich) is a historian and presenter known for bringing British heritage to life. She starred in “An American Aristocrat’s Guide to Great Estates” on the Smithsonian Channel and hosts the YouTube series American Viscountess, sharing insights into the UK’s historic houses. Julie holds a Master’s in Country House Studies and leads the Alberta Research Project, focused on American heiress Alberta Sturges Montagu, the 9th Countess of Sandwich. She also plays a key role in managing Mapperton House with her husband Luke.
Luke Montagu (12the Earl of Sandwich) is an entrepreneur who now spends most of his time managing his family’s country estate and historic house at Mapperton in West Dorset. After graduating from Columbia University in New York, Luke founded a series of technology, education, and media businesses. In 2003 he co-founded the Met Film School, which he led as CEO until 2009. Luke was chair of the trustees for the Dalai Lama Centre for Compassion from 2016-2022, a charity that develops programs supporting kindness in schools. He is currently chair of trustees of West Dorset Wilding, a charity that promotes rewilding and nature recovery. He also co-founded Living History Films with his wife Julie. Living History Films produces the successful YouTube channels Mapperton Live and American Viscountess, celebrating British country houses and estates.
Historic Camden, Alabama, is the site of the Wilcox Historical Society’s Tour of Homes, on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This year’s tour includes seven beautiful homes, Canton Bend Methodist Church c. 1912, the Beck-Miller-Bonner law office aka Governor Miller’s Law Office, c. 1840, Camden Shoe Shop and Quilt Museum, and more. Registration will be at the Wilcox Female Institute located at 301 Broad Street in Camden on Saturday from 9:30 am – 2:00 pm or during the complimentary breakfast at The Brittany House Antiques in Oak Hill from 8:30 am to 10 am.
The homes showcased on this year’s tour are: Yaupon, the Mathews-Tait-Rutherford Home, c. 1840, the Sterrett-McWilliams Home, c. 1851, House on the Hill, the Goode-Morgan-Liddell-Phillippi Home, c. 1834, the Boykin-Jones-Liddell-Session Home, c. 1840, the Cook-Bryant-Jones-Harper Home, c. late 1840s, Pleasant Ridge, the Bethea-Strother-Myers Home, c. 1838, and Liberty Hall, the McDowell-Harris Home, c. 1850.
All proceeds from the WHS Tour of Homes goes to preserve historic buildings throughout Wilcox County, Alabama.
For our VIP Royal, Golden, and Mapperton Ticket Holders, the weekend starts Friday, March 21st, with our 2025 Guest Speakers, the 12th Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Luke and Julie Montagu. The Wilcox Historical Society and the Montagus offer a day full of royal experiences March 21. From a lovely luncheon to an exclusive champagne-adorned conversation at historic Wakefield Plantation in Furman, you’ll spend the day sharing and celebrating with the 12th Earl and Countess of Sandwich during their first visit to Alabama. Enjoy live music from the Tommy Ward Band as the evening unfolds.
Wakefield Plantation is located at 8177 County Road 59, Furman, Alabama.
All tickets holders will be provided a complimentary breakfast Saturday Morning, 3/22/25, from 8:30 am – 10:00 am at The Brittany House Antiques, 5931 Hwy. 21 in Oak Hill, Alabama, twelve miles from Camden.
THE ROYAL PACKAGE – $400 per person – Only 25 tickets available
The Royal Package is the full Tour Experience. Start the weekend with an exclusive luncheon and photo opportunity with our guests of honor, The Right Honorable Earl and Countess of Sandwich. They will open Tour Weekend with welcome remarks followed by a traditional Southern Luncheon. Join the Earl and Countess that evening for our annual Tour of Homes Welcome Reception. Our honored guests will share their experience preserving their home Mapperton with a visual presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. Live music by the Tommy Ward Band, cocktails, wine, and hor d’oeuvres will add to the festivities as we toast the start of our Tour. In addition, the Royal Package includes a ticket to the Tour of Homes in Camden on Saturday.
The Royal Package Includes:
Private luncheon and photo opportunity with our guests Friday 3/21 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Welcome Reception, The Mapperton Experience Friday 3/21 – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Ticket to Tour of Homes, Camden, AL Saturday 3/22 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
THE GOLDEN PACKAGE – $250 per person – Only 75 tickets available
Start your day with an exclusive luncheon and photo opportunity with our guests of honor, The Right Honorable Earl and Countess of Sandwich. They will open Tour Weekend with welcome remarks followed by a traditional Southern Luncheon.
The Golden Package includes:
Private luncheon and photo opportunity with our guests Friday 3/21 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ticket to Tour of Homes, Camden, AL Saturday 3/22 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
* The Golden Package does not include Friday Evening’s Welcome Reception with the Earl and Countess.
THE MAPPERTON PACKAGE – $200 per person – Only 200 tickets available
Join us for our Tour of Homes Welcome Reception, the Mapperton Experience, featuring our guest speakers the Right Honorable Earl and Countess of Sandwich. They will share their experience preserving their home Mapperton with a visual presentation followed by a question-and-answer session with the Earl and Countess. Live music by the Tommy Ward Band, cocktails, wine, and hor d’oeuvres will add to the festivities as we toast the start of our Tour.
The Mapperton Package includes:
Welcome Reception, The Mapperton Experience Friday 3/21 – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Ticket to Tour of Homes, Camden, AL Saturday 3/22 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
THE TOUR PACKAGE – $50 per person – 500 Tickets available
Saturday 3/22 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Discover the beauty of Camden, Alabama, as you explore seven beautiful homes, a historic church—the Canton Bend Methodist Church—the Miller Law Office, the Camden Shoe Shop and Quilt Museum. You will experience stunning architecture, rich history, and quintessential Southern hospitality during your visit.
** Click here for the eventbrite.com link! **
The 2025 WHS Tour of Homes is Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
United Bank
Laura and Schley Rutherford
Dr. Sylvia and Tom Rushing
Zoe and John Hunter
Mary Elizabeth Stallworth Foundation
The Miller Charitable Trust
The Brittany House Antiques
Gold Sponsors
Garland Cook Smith
Royal Restrooms
Bronze Sponsors
Black Belt Treasures
Community Neighbor Bank
The Wilcox Progressive Era
Camden Jewelry and Gifts
Tour Sponsors
Homan Insurance
The Pecan Downtown
Garrett Hardee O’Neal
SATURDAY LUNCH OPTIONS
The Pecan Downtown, 110 Broad Street, Camden
Jackson’s Station, 123 Broad Street, Camden
GainesRidge – 933 AL 10 East, Camden (reservations suggested, 334-682-9707, open 11-1)
Grilled Chicken Salad or Shrimp and Grits, roll, beverage and dessert. Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s available.
Commissioner’s PIT Stop food truck, County Courthouse square, Camden
LODGING SUGGESTIONS – We strongly suggest you make reservations EARLY as lodging options are limited.
GREENVILLE, ALABAMA – 45 minutes from Camden
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
1. Liberty Hall Bed & Breakfast – SOLD OUT
2. Capell House Bed & Breakfast – SOLD OUT
3. Pleasant Ridge Bed & Breakfast – SOLD OUT
4. Southern Inn Motel
A very basic motel with exterior doors in the style of the drivein motels of the 1960’s. With minimal ammenities, the rooms are clean and centrally located.
40 Camden Bypass, Camden, AL 36726
334-682-4148
5 . Roland Cooper State Park – ONLY 3 CABINS LEFT FOR SATURDAY NIGHT, NONE FOR FRIDAY
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 by calling the office at 334-682-4838. As of February 10, online reservations are not available for the remaining cabins—online reservations require a two-night minimum.
6. 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 reservations or information call 334-740-2005.
Questions about the 2025 Tour of Homes? Email us WilcoxHistoricalSociety@gmail.com
Wilcox Historical Society 