BON SECOUR — The Baldwin County Historic Development Commission is looking to expand Swift-Coles Historic Home with the addition of a pavilion.

Situated just miles away from Alabama's beaches, this property, owned by the BCHDC, stands as the only open-to-the-public historic home in the region.
During a meeting held on Jan. 10, the BCHDC deliberated on the proposed pavilion, which is intended to be constructed east of the home. Currently in the bidding process, the project is seeking offers from construction companies to bring the envisioned pavilion to reality.

Swift-Coles Historic Home, dating back to 1882, was originally a four-room dog-trot style cabin a Creole fisherman built on the banks of the Bon Secour River. Through the years and generations and different families of owners, it has been expanded and transformed into a 6,000-square-foot mansion. It serves not only as a historical landmark but also as a popular wedding and event venue.

The home was bequeathed to the BCHDC in 2007, and it opened to the public in 2009.

Kathryn Graham, house manager and event planner for the venue, emphasized the importance of the new pavilion in enhancing the property's utility.

"We have gotten paint on the house, we have gotten a new room, a new air conditioning and heating system," Graham said. "It is not just for weddings, but it is also for special events. I think that it would be really important for Swift-Coles to be able to present some of that to the community and the community come together and enjoy the history of Swift-Coles as well as the area around it and how it was developed."

BCHDC member Mike Bunn said this home has a historical significance to the community.

"We do not want to do anything to the home on purpose that is going to track the historic façade," Bunn said. "We are trying to make it where it is more conducive. We love to have this beautiful place, but you can't get a wedding inside the home. We thought it would be nice to have a permanent structure that compliments the home."

Construction and project completion dates have not been determined.