The Friends of Gaineswood, a fundraising army that numbers in the several hundreds, have become a reliable source of support which have allowed for many improvements and repairs to take place at one of the city’s most historically important homes.

Saturday, the Friends will host Gaineswood Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in an event that will showcase the work those funds paved the way for.

“In a way, it acts as a family reunion of sorts,” site director Eleanor Cunningham said, “because some Whitfields are Friends members.”

Since 2008, the Friends have raised more than $327,000, all of which has been pumped back into the historic home.

“One of the biggest, or probably the most recognizable thing we’ve done is also the most recent – the repainting of the home, gazebo and gatehouse,” Cunningham said.

Admission is $20 per person. Children under 6 years old are free.

The admission fee covers registration, presentations, and meal during the four hour event.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

10 a.m.: Registration and Welcome

10:30 a.m.: Unveiling of Portraits by artist Nathan Glick of Nathan Bryan Whitfield and George Strother Gaines

10:45 a.m.: Special Speaker – author Rufus Ward, The Tombigbee Steamboats Book Signing

11:30 a.m.: BBQ Lunch Served and Tours Available

1 p.m.: Special Speaker – Joyce Lamont – Archives and Preservation

1:45 p.m.: Refreshments

All funds raised will go toward preservation projects at Gaineswood.