The Stephen D. Lee Foundation will host its annual Valentine Party from 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at The Swoope Home located at 221 Third Street South in Columbus.
The house, owned by Janie and Dan Williams, was built in 1852 by Patrick H. Jones who sold it to James Gaston in 1860. Walter Swoope purchased the house in 1917 from a member of the Gaston family and remodeled and enlarged the house after the Crash of 1929 to accommodate upstairs apartments. The present front porch was added at that time. The Williams family is just the fifth family to call the house home.
Eulalie Davis, chairman of the Foundation, said that this will be an empty house party, which presents some challenges to the decorating committee; yet, gives the committee the chance to fully express its creativity and talents. Flowers, smilax and candles will be used throughout the house which will celebrate its 168th Valentine’s Day.
The table in the dining room will be laden with chocolate, strawberry and lemon cakes. Other delicacies from the best cooks in Columbus will be spread throughout the house. Lee Home docents will serve as hostesses. Guests can drop in or spend the entire evening enjoying the company, food and flowers. The entire house, which is presently for sale, will be open. Davis mused that it would be wonderful if one of the guests came in and fell in love with the house and its beautiful floors and woodwork. “That would literally be the icing on all the cakes,” she said.
As always, proceeds of the party will go to maintaining and enhancing the Stephen D. Lee Home on Seventh Street North. According to Davis, the board is now starting work on the middle museum room which involves ceiling tiles, HVAC and electricity. Once that work is complete and paid for, the board hopes to start a kitchen renovation. Davis said, “We have a wish list a mile long. Our patrons make the historic preservation of the Lee Home possible and for them we are extremely grateful.”
For more information about the party, contact Davis at 662-328-3088.
For more information about the Stephen D. Lee Home, call 662-327-8888 or find it on Facebook.
IF YOU GO:
WHO: Stephen D. Lee Foundation
WHAT: Valentine Party; fundraiser to support S.D. Lee Home
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 14; 7-10 p.m.
WHERE: The Swoope Home, 221 Third St. So., Columbus
TICKETS: For information, contact Eulalie Davis, 662-328-3088
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