Have you ever attended a wedding or an event at the Swift-Coles Home? Now they are adding a new amenity for future gatherings. The Baldwin County Historic Development Commission (BCHDC) and the Friends of Swift-Coles have announced a major new capital improvement project at the Swift-Coles Historic Home in Bon Secour, AL. A groundbreaking ceremony for an event pavilion will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 9:00 AM.

Swift-Coles Historic Home, Baldwin County's only publicly-owned historic home, is regularly opened for tours. Originally built in the 1880s as a four-room dog trot cabin, the home is a popular venue for weddings and various gatherings.

To better meet community needs, the Friends of Swift-Coles and the BCHDC are planning an on-site event pavilion. This pavilion will be suitable for use by families, businesses, and public and private groups for special occasions throughout the year, enhancing service to the South Baldwin County community.

The Friends of Swift-Coles, a non-profit organization supporting the home's improvement, encourages area businesses, families, and individuals to sponsor this effort. Sponsorships are available at three giving levels, each including permanent recognition and an invitation to the opening celebration later this year.

For more information, visit the Swift-Coles Historic Home Facebook page or email swiftcoles@gmail.com.

According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, The original structure was later expanded into a 6,000-square-foot home reflective of the Gulf Coast vernacular and Creole Cottage architecture prevalent in the region. The museum is currently owned and operated by the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission, which maintains the property and cares for the home with the help of volunteers. It has been listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

The Swift-Coles home was constructed in 1882 as a small four-room dog trot cabin by Thomas Gavin on the point of land where Schoolhouse Creek flows into the Bon Secour River.