Media Contacts

Hela Sheth – Gulf Coast Exploreum
251.208.6852 (O)
251.605.7067 (M)
hsheth@exploreum.com





Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Hosts Annual “Gone with the Wind” Rummage Sale
Historic home invites public to attend fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 11



MOBILE, Ala. – (Aug. 24, 2010) – The historic Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, one of the most recognizable buildings in the city, announces its annual “Gone With the Wind” Rummage Sale to raise funds for the continued preservation of the not-for-profit home. The public is invited to attend the fundraiser, which will feature the sale of gently used furniture and household items, on Saturday, Sept. 11th from 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.



The historic home is still accepting donations of items for the event. Individuals may drop off their unwanted household accessories to the home Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In some cases, the staff may be able to pick up goods. Individuals will be given a tax receipt for their donated goods.



“The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is an architectural icon for the city of Mobile,” said director Lynn Stewart. “For years, the mansion has been a preferred destination for weddings, receptions and tour groups. Fundraisers such as this one are important for the continued preservation of the home.”



Canopied by a grove of century-old oaks and furnished with fine antiques and crystal chandeliers, the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion offers a rare glimpse of life in the Old South. When it was built in 1855, the house was the center of the lively social life of the thriving port of Mobile. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and after more than $3 million in renovations, the home opened to the public in 1987. This year, the home was voted the Best Place to Host a Reception/Special Event by two area publications.



The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion offers guided tours Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission for adults is $5, while children and students pay only $3. The home will also be hosting a Bridal Open House on Sunday, Sept. 19, where brides may tour the home and learn about its accommodations for weddings and receptions.



For more information about the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion and the “Gone with the Wind” Rummage Sale, please visit www.braggmitchellmansion.com or call (251) 471–6364.



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About the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion:

Built in 1855 by Judge John Bragg, the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a 13,000 square foot Greek Revival facing in Mobile, Alabama. Judge Bragg built the home for his wife and family to enjoy Mobile’s social season, Thanksgiving through Mardi Gras. Judge Bragg died in 1878, and four additional families have owned the home since his passing. The last private owner of the Mansion was the A.S. Mitchell family who occupied the Mansion until 1965 and took great care in maintaining the home. It was during this time that the Mansion became an icon in Mobile. The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion was donated to the Explore Center by the A.S. Mitchell Foundation in the late 1970s to become an interactive science museum. Instead of adapting the home for this purpose and potentially destroying its historic integrity, the Explore Center built a separate science museum, the Gulf Coast Exploreum, and began work to restore the Mansion to its antebellum grandeur. The home opened to the public in 1987 and now serves as the preferred location for community wedding receptions, corporate dinners and historic home tours. The long-term goal of the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is to restore the building, grounds and furnishings to reflect lifestyles of previous owners.





Hela Sheth

Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

251.208.6852 OFFICE

251.208.6889 FAX







REPTILE PLANET IS NOW OPEN!
Don’t miss seeing 30 live, exotic reptiles from more than 20 different countries at Mobile’s #1 Family Attraction! The world’s largest traveling reptile exhibit, Reptile Planet is open through October 24. For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit www.exploreum.com.