Gaineswood presents Heritage Days every spring to Black Belt students from the 4th and 5th grades. Hands-on presentations on Choctaw life, pottery making, blacksmithing, a French Marine Encampment, and wagon travel brought the mid-1800’s in Alabama to life for students. Students experience the family life of the planters and of the many enslaved hands that contributed to the building and management of the home during a tour of the home. We were happy to present Heritage Days to around 327 students this year!

Thank you to the Demopolis High School FBLA, which helped lead the students throughout the day.

Each December, Gaineswood transforms into a magical holiday destination with the return of “The Trees of Gaineswood Speak,” a cherished part of Christmas in Historic Demopolis. The event features Christmas trees throughout every room of the house, each decorated to represent a different chapter of Demopolis history spanning from 1817 through 1860, including a special tree honoring the builder of Gaineswood himself, General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, with all trees styled in period-appropriate fashion. Walking through the mansion during this event is a journey through both the holiday season and the rich history of the region, as each beautifully adorned tree tells its own unique story. Guests can enjoy candlelight visits, guided tours, and photo opportunities. It is a truly one-of-a-kind holiday experience set within one of America’s most remarkable historic homes, and a wonderful opportunity to see Gaineswood dressed in all its seasonal splendor.