Friday and Saturday, I attended the Carrollton Pilgrimage, and I was quite impressed with the event and the town's hard work in planning such a successful weekend. Even early on Friday morning, tourists were milling around on the sidewalks and the square. Two tour buses were even maneuvering from house to house.
Friday morning, my friend Sharon Kent and I set out on the home tour at 9 a.m. At 1 p.m., we still had three houses to visit, and planned to return the next day to finish up.
I cannot describe the grandeur of the homes in tour, their beautiful furnishings, and tedious renovations. Each home was as individual as those living there, and every host was gracious and welcoming to each and every guest.
I was particularly impressed with the participation of everyone in town. Even those not showing their homes on the tour, took efforts to beautify their lawns and porches. Even the historic Carrollton courthouse sported new landscaping and fall flowers.
A few of my favorite features on the tour:
• Stanhope: The antique teaster bed was spectacular. Of the entire tour, that bed was the one item of furniture I will remember most.
• The Parsonage: The whimsical theme of the house made it one of my favorites on the tour. It was a true treasure chest of art, antiques, and family heirlooms.
• Hampton Hall: Mrs. Glenda Jones was an excellent hostess for her College Street home. She was quick to put guests at ease, and I felt right at home.
• Bingham Hall: I fell in love with the scarlet colored glass panes in the front door that were original to the home.
• Captain Ray's House: A glimpse of the parlor in Captain Ray's house appeared in movie The Reivers with Steve McQueen. The wallpaper applied by the film crew is still on the walls in that room. A little piece of pop culture history sits in the heart of Carroll County.
• Charoby: The home's owners' Judi and Bill Gillespie hunt and collect Native American arrow heads. Their collection is phenomenal.
• The Oaks: Indicative of the Southern mystique with its white columns, chandeliers and iron gazebo.
• Lum Reek: When I moved here two years ago, this house was just a shell of its former glory. With renovations now completed, I am amazed at what Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Goodman created.
• Vance House: All of the original family antiques belonging to the owners' grandparents are still in this house.
The Town of Carrollton has definitely embraced their niche and found that tourism is a sure-fire way to bring people into their community.
Kudos to the organizers of the Carrollton Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day. I look forward to next year's event.
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