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Nestled in Alabama’s Black Belt, Cornwallis 1828 in the Braggs community offers a look back at early American life. Originally settled by Revolutionary War veteran Peter Newport Bragg in 1828, the 2,600-acre homestead is steeped in history and full of hands-on experiences for visitors, including school field trips, birding and immersive events like soap making and tea parties.

“When we do these things, we’re all in period dress,” said owner Demp Bell. “So when the school kids come, we explain that we’re restoring the place. We show them the bottle tree. We go to the cane mill. We go to the outhouse, to the well, explaining all these different things and how people back then lived.” The homestead features the original Bragg family home, assembled with wooden pegs, as well as a cabin, barn, chicken coop, smokehouse and other historic structures that help visitors step back in time.

Beyond historical reenactments, Braggs Homestead has recently begun offering a variety of unique experiences, such as beginner soapmaking classes and tea parties. The tea parties, featuring finger sandwiches, scones and tea served in fine china, transport guests to a bygone era, while the soapmaking classes introduce them to old-fashioned techniques for creating natural soaps. 

In addition to hands-on workshops, Braggs Homestead also holds seasonal events like the Halloween-themed “Ghosts of Cornwallis.” Local volunteer Jake Powell, who has been helping with events at Cornwallis for several years, shared his experience.

“I’ve known Mr. Demp for a couple of years now,” Powell said. “I like to see the people’s faces when they come through. I enjoy helping and seeing the kids. Sometimes you have to volunteer to get things done.”

Another key annual event at the Bragg’s Homestead is the “Doe Rodeo,” a hunting event held to support local food banks. 

“This event gives hunters the opportunity to give to the less fortunate,” said Bell. “Our goal each year is to take as many does as possible to be processed and donated to local food banks in order to provide as much fresh deer meat as possible to be distributed to those in need.”

Held this year on Dec.15, the event invites hunters to harvest does, with each deer resulting in a red ticket for the hunter, leading to prize entries. The event also includes an awards ceremony, food vendors and a worship service on the homestead grounds.

“We’ve got so much stuff to give away from hunters and supply companies, that I’m going to have to do something like free gifts for the first hundred people through the gate because we don’t have time to stand at the stage and give it all out,” Bell added, explaining the generosity of sponsors who provide goods and supplies for Doe Rodeo participants.

For those interested in outdoor activities, the homestead’s 12-acre lake and smaller two-acre pond also offer year-round fishing.

Cornwallis 1828, located on Highway 21 in Braggs, welcomes guests for day trips, overnight stays and private events.