Unmask the Magic: Spring Pilgrimage Masquerade Gala!

Prepare to embark on a journey through time and elegance as we kick off the much-anticipated Spring Pilgrimage with an enchanting Masquerade Gala. Join us for an evening of mystery, opulence, and celebration as we gather to support the noble mission of the Preservation Society of Columbus. Get ready to don your finest attire and your most captivating mask as we revel in the splendor of historic home tours and a series of delightful events, all in the name of preserving our cultural heritage.

As the sun sets and the stars emerge, join us for a grand masquerade celebration like no other. Enjoy a night in Southside Columbus amidst the elegant surroundings of Colonnade, where enchantment and sophistication converge. Indulge in delectable cuisine, sip on exquisite libations, and lose yourself in the enchanting melodies of live music. Beyond the revelry and splendor lies a noble cause close to our hearts. With every ticket purchased and every mask adorned, you contribute to the year-round work of the Preservation Society of Columbus. Our mission, rooted in a deep commitment to preserving historic properties, transcends time and place. By saving, conserving, and preserving buildings and places that define our past, present, and future, we honor the diverse cultures, neighborhoods, and memories that shape our collective identity.

The Preservation Society of Columbus is dedicated to storytelling, advocacy, and education, ensuring that our architectural treasures and cultural legacies endure for generations to come. Your support at tonight's gala directly contributes to this vital work, safeguarding our heritage and fostering a sense of community pride and belonging. Together, let's celebrate our past, embrace our present, and pave the way for a vibrant future filled with history, culture, and community. We can't wait to see you there, adorned in your finest attire and most enchanting mask.

The venue for the gala is Colonnade, 602 2nd Street South, Circa 1860. Colonnade was built by William T. Baldwin and occupied by the Baldwin family until 1935. One interesting architectural fact is that the upright framework is pegged together. In addition, the asymmetrical placing of the entrance varies the usual Classic Revival period centering and is in keeping with the Romantic Revival tendencies. The Colonnade has an interesting half-peristyle colonnade that is a unique feature in Columbus. After the Civil War battles of Shiloh and Corinth, many wounded and sick soldiers found this hospitable home a refuge, and received tender ministration until they returned to the battle front. A well-known artist, Mr. William Steen, immortalized this house on canvas, as typical of a true, Southern home. The original gardens were installed in the 1860’s and include a boxwood maze, gazing pool with fountain, kitchen and herb garden, and a pleasure garden.* Colonnade is also on tour with Historic Home Tours, and tickets for those tours may be purchased at this link: https://www.historichomes.tours/store

Current home of Trae and Michelle Vaughan

*The description of Colonnade is taken, in part, from the “Program and Historical Facts” booklet published for the innagural 1940 Columbus Pilgrimage and republished in a blog by W. White on March 29, 2016.

Masquerade Gala at Colonnade

2024 Columbus Spring Pilgrimage