Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, the state’s first official tourism Trail, presents the third annual Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage on April 27-May 1, 2011. The Pilgrimage opens a window to the past through a wide array of museum tours and special events as well as entrance into private historic homes not generally open to the public. Seven historically significant communities along the 100-mile heritage trail are participating, including Athens, Watkinsville, Madison, Eatonton, Milledgeville, Gray/Old Clinton and Macon. The Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage Pass, just $25, provides admission to all participating events and attractions in any or all of the communities throught the five-day Pilgrimage period. The communities have finalized their list of offerings and have posted a complete itinerary at www.atpilgrimage.com.

The northern gateway of the Antebellum Trail is Athens, named a Distinctive Destination in 2009 by The National Trust for Historic Preservation. Tour-goers may visit four house museums featuring four architectural styles from four different time periods, participate in a walking tour of UGA’s North Campus and — new for 2011 — take a walking tour of the historic Oconee Hill Cemetery. Saturday and Sunday’s driving Heritage Tour will include a theatrical vignette by Rose of Athens Theatre. Watkinsville, a former frontier town on the edge of Creek and Cherokee Indian territories, is home to the Eagle Tavern. The Eagle Tavern was built in the late 1700s and is one of the city’s earliest surviving structures. It served as a stagecoach stop and tavern throughout the antebellum period. In addition to the Eagle Tavern, Pilgrimage patrons can also visit the Southworks national juried art show at Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation and tour the grand Ashford Manor Victorian home and gardens.

Madison, known as “the town Sherman refused to burn,” is a national treasure of antebellum architecture. Patrons can embark on a walking or driving tour of the historic district, including the Heritage Hall house museum and Hilltop, a Greek Revival private residence not generally open to the public. Excellent shopping is available  as more than 160 antique vendors plus 45 specialty shops grace the beautifully restored downtown square.

Participants will also visit Eatonton, the birthplace of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the famous Uncle Remus Tales.  Patrons can tour the Uncle Remus Museum, which contains many first editions of Harris’ work or 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 and the Thomas-Clark-Dennis-Harrison House, a Victorian home on the beautiful road once called the “Avenue.” A self-guided Alice Walker Driving Tour is also available to see significant places in the life of the author of The Color Purple.

Milledgeville is known as Georgia’s Antebellum Capital. Featured on the Pilgrimage is the restored Old Governor’s Mansion, where Sherman himself slept! Another gem not to be missed is Georgia’s Old Capitol Museum, designed in the Gothic Revival style and the location where Georgia legislators voted to secede from the Union. Additional attractions and activities include a guided Historic Trolley Tour, Lockerly Hall & Arboretum, and several Antebellum residences not generally open to the public.

In the quiet, rural village of Gray/Old Clinton, visitors can get a glimpse back in time to the former bustling town on Georgia’s western frontier. Pilgrimage tour-goers will relive the Battle of Griswoldville, the only major infantry battle opposing General Sherman’s March to the Sea, at Old Clinton War Days, featuring reenactment groups. The Old Clinton Historic District will offer guided tours of the McCarthy-Pope House.

The southern tip of the trail is Macon, home to the Hay House. This destination was featured on A&E’s America’s Castles and is known as the “Palace of the South.” At the Cannonball House, patrons can enjoy Greek Revival architecture while listening to the “Georgia Suitcase” program featuring found letters revealing a Macon family’s life during the Antebellum era. Tour patrons can also spend time at the Sidney Lanier Cottage with a performance by a historical re-enactor of the young Sidney. Patrons can end the evening with a scenic drive or a leisurely stroll through Macon’s intown illumination tour, a unique, self-guided tour which showcases over 30 public and private mansions. Tickets can be purchased at any of the Welcome Centers along the trail prior to and during the Pilgrimage or online at www.atpilgrimage.com.

Tickets are $25 and include access to all participating attractions and events as well as a guide to venues and times. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted tickets at $20.  For more information contact the Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 709.7406 or visit the website at www.atpilgrimage.com.