Sweeping columns and the whisper of a bygone era will be strong during the third annual Antebellum Trail tour event.

The trail will include seven communities including Athens, Watkinsville, Madison, Eatonton, Milledgeville, Jones County and Macon. Each of the communities were spared during Gen. William Sherman’s March to the Sea. Because Sherman did not torch the towns, the architecture survived and serves as a monument to days gone by.

Georgia’s Antebellum Trail is the state’s oldest recognized trail and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009. The trail began as a University of Georgia student project and resulted in the Athens Chamber of Commerce calling together historic communities in the area to band together and showcase the immense history shared.

Bonnie Simmons, Tourism and Special Events coordinator for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, is enjoying her second term as president of the Antebellum Trail organization.

“I schedule and organize the meetings and make sure that everyone is on track. In each community the trail is different. In Eatonton, our homes are private homes. These home will have their doors open during the event. In Milledgeville, many of the homes are open all year round,” Simmons said.

The pass for the Antebellum Trail is $25, and gives a pass to homes in any of the communities and whatever activities are being offered that day. For larger tour groups of 10 or more, the price is reduced to $20. The trail will be held from April 27 until May 1, culminating in a big screen showing of the iconic film, “Gone With the Wind,” at the Eatonton Plaza Arts Center.

“Tickets for ‘Gone With the Wind’ are $5 for those who did not purchase tickets for the Antebellum Trail and free for those who did. I’m so excited about this because so many people from younger generations have never had the opportunity to watch ‘Gone With the Wind’ on the big screen. For older generations, this will bring back so much nostalgia,” Simmons said.

Last year, the tour netted 150 tickets sold, and the Chamber of Commerce is hoping to double that number. It includes entrance into all of the attractions, museums, private homes, events and more that are participating in the Pilgrimage. It can be used over the course of all five days of the Pilgrimage in all counties that the trail is being held.

Participants visiting Eatonton, the birthplace of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the famous Uncle Remus Tales, can tour the Uncle Remus Museum, which contains many first editions of Harris’ work. Patrons can also take exclusive tours of private homes not usually open to the public. Featured homes include the Ezell-Tatum House with a formal garden in the style of the Queen Anne Victorian (which will be open Saturday and Sunday only) and the Thomas-Clark-Dennis-Harrison House; a Victorian home built in 1902, on a beautiful road once called the “Avenue.” The home will be open all five days. A self-guided Alice Walker Driving Tour is also available to see significant places in the life of the author of “The Color Purple.”

On Saturday and Sunday, Jenkins Hall will be open for visitors. The added home to the line up began as a two-bedroom cottage in 1810, and in the mid-1900s, Lollie Jenkins lived in the house and became the first woman to own and run a dairy by herself. The Jenkins home is located at 451 Oconee Springs Road.

Tickets can be purchased at any Welcome Center within the cities participating or online at www.atpilgrimage.org.