Gaineswood
Gaineswood
5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Described by the Smithsonian Guide to Historic America: The Deep South as "one of the three or four most interesting houses in America", Gaineswood was built over an 18 year period. Between 1843 and 1861, Gaineswood evolved from a dog-trot cabin into an elaborate home. The builder, General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, was a planter and 'Renaissance man'. He acted as his own architect, engineer, foreman, and sometimes craftsman. Owned by the Alabama Historical Commission, Gaineswood was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974 and opened to the public in 1975. Open for guided tours of the house & self-guided tours of the grounds Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm. Closed state holidays. Admission: adults $10, military and seniors $9, students $5, children 5 & under are free. Main entrance door located on East Morgan Street side of house
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
77 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
9
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
slas86
Glenpool, OK707 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We visited right at opening time to jump start our day. Wonderful old house and in very good shape for its age. Danny was our guide and as a life-long local, he added so much more to the home and it's history. A 'hidden' staircase, the master bedroom which can over look the main rooms of the house....a 10-12 foot tall mirror that was shipped from France 150 years ago and is STILL intact!! Many wonderful surprises in store when you tour Gaineswood. Definitely worth the stop.
Written 4 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KcgCO
Colorado Springs, CO20 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
We drove out to Demopolis from Montgomery, which was about 1hr45min drive. We really wanted an opportunity to see one of the grand
plantations of the Antebellum era and this was a great choice. Our guide was fabulous - a retired school teacher with lots of history to tell. Sadly there is very little land still around the house, as it is now surrounded by town structures, but that is common for the historic mansions that are actually being preserved. Well worth the drive for us and we were the only ones there on a Sunday afternoon. Didn't mind the admission of $7 per person as it goes into the maintenance and preservation of this historical asset.
plantations of the Antebellum era and this was a great choice. Our guide was fabulous - a retired school teacher with lots of history to tell. Sadly there is very little land still around the house, as it is now surrounded by town structures, but that is common for the historic mansions that are actually being preserved. Well worth the drive for us and we were the only ones there on a Sunday afternoon. Didn't mind the admission of $7 per person as it goes into the maintenance and preservation of this historical asset.
Written 5 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ynot011
Huntsville, AL263 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
Driving through town, I saw a sign pointing to Gaineswood and remembered reading about it. We parked and walked around the property and grounds. We missed the tour guide (she was gone to lunch and we didn't have time to wait). However, there is a number you can call (it's posted around grounds) and get info about the grounds via cell phone type tour. The groundskeeper was a very nice gentleman who had that friendly Southern charm, although he was unable to provide a tour. If we are back in the area, I would try to go by and tour the inside. The grounds and outdoor tour is free. It only cost if you take the inside tour.
Written 20 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara
2 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
I visited with my mother and son. My great grandparents rented the house in the 1940s for 2 years. My mother lived there with them for 2 summers. I have heard about this house my whole life and was not disappointed. It was an awesome experience. The house is gorgeous. Our guide Lexi was amazing and so knowledgeable, answering all of the questions we had. I highly recommend visiting. We are definitely coming back!
Written 11 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara S
Madison, WI75 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Was able to receive a tour from Sue who was amazing and fun to listen to. She talked about the history of the house, the land and the family. If in Demopolis I definitely suggest stopping here to see a touch of history.
Written 5 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PennyW5
The Villages, FL326 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Our Red Hat ladies toured this beautiful Gaineswood Plantation home. You must pay cash in person for your tour and call to set up your appointment to see it. We had a wonderful Tour Guide who I can't remember her name but she was quite an authority of this home. The details and the thought that went into this lovely home is so beyond what you and I would think about. Every detail of this home calls out to you to pay attention to everything you see. General Nathan Bryan Whitfield was indeed an brilliant man who observed life and lovingly built this lovely home. Take your time and go throughout this plantation home and watch it reveal it's beauty to you.A glorious example of Southern charm and intellect, along with the most outstanding architecture in Alabama. Believe me, it is so worth a trip to visit!!
Written 22 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EAH6591
Nashville, TN4 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
The tour guides (I had two all to myself) were wonderful. Whitfield, who built the mansion, was a really interesting guy with a flair for design and ingenuity - the guides had lots of fascinating stories about him. Lovely building and furnishings. The cell phone audio tour outside was also good.
From what I understand, Alabama is getting ready to give up fiscal responsibility for the home and turn the house over to the Friends of Gaineswood nonprofit. So stop by, take the tour, purchase something from the gift shop, and help the Friends maintain this piece of history.
From what I understand, Alabama is getting ready to give up fiscal responsibility for the home and turn the house over to the Friends of Gaineswood nonprofit. So stop by, take the tour, purchase something from the gift shop, and help the Friends maintain this piece of history.
Written 21 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nona C
Brier, WA95 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
Our guide was excellent --- very informed and detailed. The house is absolutely stunning and perfectly preserved.
Written 28 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dklany
Los Angeles, California88 contributions
Dec 2018
If you are interested in the history of the South, it is worth a Plantation experience and none is better than Gaineswood. The house has been kept in tremendous condition and is a living history.
Written 16 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mand_dan
United States38 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
If you go to Demopolis take the time to visit Gaineswood. It does not take that long and it has both an interesting history and especially the grand ballroom is worth seeing. I got a solo tour by a young man who really knew a lot about the place. General Whitfield, who had Gainswood built, was a very interesting and multitalented man who really made his mark on the place as he changed it from its original modest origins to the grand building it became (and still is).
Written 2 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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