Celebrating 100 Years

By Katie Baker

The grounds of Hamilton Place are buzzing with checklists and chatter as ideas are swapped back and forth for the bi-annual party of the year. This historic estate stands poised to host an event steeped in 100 years of legacy and tradition the Polk Ball benefiting the President James K. Polk Home and Museum. Nestled along Trotwood Ave between Columbia and Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, Hamilton Place serves not only as a grand venue but also as a custodian of history, echoing with the footsteps of statesmen and the whispers of bygone eras.

Hamilton Place, with its stately Palladian architecture, is a testament to the vision of Lucius Junius Polk, a scion of the illustrious Polk family. The National Register of Historic Places states, “Lucius named it Hamilton Place after his recently deceased brother, Alexander Hamilton Polk. The design of the front was adapted from Palladio’s Villa Pisano for the Montagnana, and an interior arcade was taken from Brunelleschi’s design for the hospital in Florence, Italy. The floor plan is loosely based on that of the White House, where Lucius Polk married Andrew Jackson’s niece, Mary Ann Eastin, in a ceremony in 1832.”

Following the wedding in 1837, Andrew Jackson visited Hamilton Place and gifted the couple two magnolia trees, one that is reputed to be the largest magnolia in the state.

Constructed between 1829 and 1831, Hamilton Place overlooks 30-plus acres and is now home to Fred and Kelli Gillham. The Gillhams have hosted the Polk Ball in years past and on September 14, 2024, they plan to graciously reopen their doors to over 500 people in celebration of the continued preservation and education efforts of the James K. Polk Home and Museum. The evening begins with a tour through the elegant double porches into the home’s foyer illuminated with a gold plaster ceiling medallion. The interior of the home is graced with 15 fireplaces, soaring ceilings, period wallpaper, and a set of intricate spiral staircases ascending to the second floor. After the tour, guests will make their way outdoors to a tented dinner and dance set against the original brick kitchen, now used as guest quarters. One of the more unique features to remain on the estate is the original limestone icehouse below ground level and secured by iron fencing.

This year Polk Ball Co-Chairs, Neelley King and Dolly McNabb, along with a throng of committees and volunteers, have orchestrated a ball that promises an evening of elegance and enchantment. After the tour of Hamilton Place guests will mingle on the lawn for cocktail hour and have a chance to bid on riveting items from the silent auction. Against the backdrop of the night, the Crystal Clear Band, hailing from Birmingham, will entertain guests with the musical spirit of Motown and soul before taking their seats for dinner.

The Polk Ball is not merely a social event; it's a lifeline for historical preservation. Through generous donations and unwavering support, attendees play a vital role in safeguarding the President James K. Polk Home and Museum for generations to come.

The origins of the Polk Ball can be traced back to the early 20th century when Sallie Polk Fall, great-niece of James K. Polk, took it upon herself to preserve the legacy of her ancestors. With the formation of the James K. Polk Memorial Association in 1924, the ball emerged as a cornerstone of fundraising efforts, channeling resources toward the maintenance and restoration of historical landmarks associated with the Polk family.

Beyond the glitz and glamour, the Polk Ball holds a deeper significance it's a celebration of the enduring legacy of the Polk family. As the 100th anniversary of the James K. Polk Memorial Association approaches, the ball serves as a poignant reminder of the association's mission to preserve, protect, and perpetuate the memory of the 11th President of the United States.

To learn more about the President James K. Polk Home and Museum and Polk Ball, visit jameskpolk.com and follow them on social media at @polkhome.

KATIE BAKER is a local REALTOR and the owner of Baker Group, Maury County’s new boutique brokerage. Baker Group specializes in Fine Properties, Historic Homes, Vacation Homes, and Commercial Real Estate in Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee River. To schedule an appointment call (901) 351-7235 and follow them on social media at @bakergrouprealty.