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Gaineswood National Historic Landmark was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Alabama Humanities Foundation (AHF).

The AHF awarded 79 CARES Act Relief Grants to nonprofit organizations across Alabama who have humanities programming as a significant part of their mission. The funding was made possible through the National Endowment for the Humanities for operational costs, including salaries for tour guides, property maintenance, utilities, supplies, and equipment.

“We’re very grateful to get this grant,” said Director of Gaineswood Nancy Lindsey. “It covers our expenses from when we were closed from March until when we reopened. It’s been a big help in getting back on track.”

Gaineswood has opened its tours again, but with several safety precautions in place. Visitors are required to wear a mask, and hand sanitation stations are set up throughout the building, and guests are encouraged to use them. The staff also has a plan mapped out social distancing. When guests visit, they are asked to stand on marked spaces, and tour guides are six feet away while leading tours.

“We’re only accepting individual tours right now. We’re not doing big group tours or events at this time,” Lindsey said. “So we ask that guests call beforehand so we can ask them that series of questions that everyone asks like have they been exposed or if they have a fever.”

Gaineswood, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has as its mission the preservation and restoration of Demopolis’ Gaineswood National Historic Landmark. The group also sponsors programs such as Heritage Days, educational programs, and COTR Candlelight Tour.  A quilt show featuring the Marengo Piecemakers was scheduled for April but had to be postponed because of the COVID 19 closure.

Gaineswood is open for public tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The site is carefully observing health and safety precautions. Upcoming events will be posted on the site’s Facebook page, Gaineswood National Historic Landmark. For more information, contact Gaineswood at 334-289-4846.