Thursday (4/30)  We went to see the largest antebellum home in Mobile built in 1855 called the Bragg-Mitchell House (see picture.)  Unlike most of the historical homes, this one is used for weddings and special events about 30 weekends a year.  Therefore, you could touch and sit on the furnishing.  It  has a grand staircase that is just perfect for a bride to make her entrance.   We had the most wonderful gentleman as our guide.  In the evening, we went to a local bar to try their legendary burgers.  Who comes in with his wife and sits at the table right next to us, but the guide.   We chatted with them for a while and had a lovely dinner.

On to Oakleigh Mansion.  This T shaped Greek Revival mansion was built in 1833 and features a cantilevered stair case leading to the front door as the home was built on stilts.  Although, it is called a mansion, by today's standards the home is of average size.  

The rest of the afternoon was spent at Bellingrath Gardens and Home (see picture.)  What started as a fishing cabin was turned into a 10,500 sq. ft. home featuring three dining rooms and exquisite furnishings.  It was Mrs. Bellingrath's wish to have the gardens and the result is one of our nation's preeminent gardens. There are 65+ acres of gardens with an outstanding rose garden. The Bellingrath's money came from the 1903 purchase of a Coca-Cola franchise that Mr. Bellingrath ran expertly.  He and his wife came from humble beginning but both developed excellent taste and became pillars of society.  It was their wish to share the gardens so shortly after completion they were open to the public.