Event Details
Diamond Bessie Murder Trial. The 69th Diamond Bessie Murder Trial kicks off Pilgrimage with the first of five performances beginning on Thursday. This captivating drama is based on the true story of a murder and a subsequent trial which occurred in Jefferson in 1877. All performances of the play are held in the Jefferson Playhouse at the corner of Market and Henderson streets.
Home and Garden Tours. See descriptions on this page.
Garden Tours: Four lovely gardens, The Sanders Garden, The Otstott Garden, The Steele Garden and the Excelsior Courtyard Garden will be open for visitors to enjoy between the hours of 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6.
Home and Garden Tour Tickets may be purchased at Pilgrimage Headquarters in front of the Excelsior House, 211 W. Austin Street, beginning at 9:30 a.m. each day. Cost is $25 each. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.jeffersonpilgrimage.com for a discounted price of $24 each. Tickets are non-refundable.
Parade. At 10 a.m. on Saturday an array of floats, old cars, buggies, bands and horses will make its way through town. RW Builders will be the parade Grand Marshal.
Pilgrimage Grand Ballroom & Courtyard Luncheon. After the parade, lunch will be served in the Grand Ballroom and Courtyard of the Excelsior House. The delicious salad luncheon is provided and served by Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club members from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at a cost of $20. Reservations for this luncheon are encouraged; visit www.jeffersonpilgrimage.com. Online Luncheon ticket sales will end April 20. Tickets are non-refundable.
Plant Sale. The Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club’s plant sale is located on the porch of the Excelsior House. The Plant Sale committee has some surprise additions to the sale for 2023. The sale contains many reasonably priced plants, some of which have been started from cuttings of local heirloom plants by the members of the club. Take time to browse from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Craft Fair and Sale. Stroll through and shop the Craft Fair Sale set up in William Perry Park adjacent to the Excelsior House. The Craft Fair and Sale will be open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.
Heritage Quilt Exhibit. The quilt exhibit will be held in the beautifully restored Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 501 East Jefferson Street. This outstanding collection of quilts is free and open to the public Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Jay Gould Railroad Car. Located on bustling Austin Street across the street from the Excelsior Hotel is the Atalanta, the private rail car of notorious railroad baron, Jay Gould, of New York City. Visit this uniquely furnished car built in 1886 and discover how it came to Jefferson. Tour tickets are $7.50 and can be purchased at the Excelsior House or online at jeffersonpilgrimage.com or theexcelsiorhouse.com.
For more information, visit their website: jeffersonpilgrimage.com, Email jeffersonpilgrimage@gmail.com, or call 903-452-3836.
Chez Lafayette
305 W. Lafayette
Chez Lafayette is a rock house built in 1935 near the end of the Great Depression. It is located on Lafayette Street near downtown Jefferson and next door to the Historic Carnegie Library.
Native rock was plentiful in Marion County at that time, and landowners cleared their land and donated the rock to help their neighbors build many structures in Jefferson.
Through the years, several updates and a guest cottage have been made to Chez Lafayette. A major update in 1999 by the previous owner, Beth Crawford, gives the rock a warm cappuccino appearance.
The home is enhanced by a side courtyard and garden area. Current owners, Paula and Keith Cole, purchased the home in May 2021, and filled the home with their collection of outstanding antiques and furnishings acquired through the years.
Keasler-Blair House
401 E. Walker Street
Built in the 1930s, this Arts and Crafts style house has been reconstructed by Harold and Meriam Blair to represent a pre-civil war Jefferson German home.
The Keasler-Blair Haus reflects its German heritage during antebellum Jefferson. As an early middle class immigrant home it is neither formal nor primitive, but of “high-country” style.
Complementing the home is the country style garden filled with heirloom plants rescued from original Jefferson home sites.
Governor’s House
321 N. Walnut
In 1868, David B. Culberson and his wife, Eugenia, built The Governor’s House as a wedding present for their son Charles Allen Culberson and his new bride Sally Harrison. The home features Greek Revival styling.
LaWanda and Bill Golden purchased the house in 1992 and began restoration.
Current owners, Linda and Howard Blatch, are both artists, and have spent 50 years living in and lovingly restoring the old homes they purchased.
The Thurman Place
207 S. Alley Street
The Thurman Place is one of the oldest homes in Jefferson. It was originally built in 1857 by P.M. Graham.
The property was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1972.
Current owners, Elaine and Ken Altman, purchased the home in December 2014. The home’s decor is a mixture of traditional and modern which showcases the things they love. This is the first time the home has been open for tour.