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Big House Preservation Fund

About The Fund

The Big House is the centerpiece of Hazlehurst and has been since constructed in 1913 by the Moore’s of Douglas. When Minnie Moore moved her new European furniture into the home, it was like nothing else in Hazlehurst. From a residential home, to a flower shop, hotel, restaurant, and now a community event center and home of our office, the building has been through many different uses. 

Today, the home is in danger of being lost. Year’s of neglect have caught up, leading to wood rot in structural beams, the loss of one column, and more. If we do not act quickly, our beloved centerpiece may be no more. 

A portion of all funds raised will be endowed to ensure long-term preservation and maintenance of the building. 

Big House when it was the Magnolia Hotel - Circa 1950

Donor Level Benefits

The following items are donor-level benefits. For gifts above $10,000, we recommend contacting our office directly. 

All gifts are in perpetuity, meaning when the brick is damaged, it will be replaced forever. When the portrait fades, it will be replaced. This means your gift will truly have a lasting impact. The Foundation plans to accomplish this by endowing half of all funds received to ensure long-term preservation of the Big House and donor memorials. 

Memorials & Displays

  • Engraved Brick |

    $200 | Have a loved one’s name or yours enshrined at the Big House. All donations of at least $200 will include an engraved brick. After your donation has been processed, Foundation staff will email you a form to complete. 

  • Rocking Chair |

    $10,000 | Limited to 8 rocking chairs. Donors at this level will receive an engraved brick plus a memorial rocking chair. These chairs will have the donor’s name, a special message, or the name of someone you wish to honor/memorialize on the back. 

  • Portrait of Donor |

    $100,000 | Limited to 6 portraits. Your likeness or that of someone you wish to memorialize. All portraits will be hung in the common spaces of the Big House (lobby, hallways, and staircases). They will also include a plate beside the painting describing the individual. 

Naming Rights

  • The Big House |

    $1,000,000 | Have the entire building renamed in honor of your gift. This will include signage at the roadway of busy US Highway 341, Signage on the front porch of the building, signage inside the lobby/foyer, and a portrait of the donor in the room. 

  • Garden |

    $500,000 | Have the soon-to-be-done gardens named the “____ Gardens” in honor of your gift. This will include signage throughout the garden on entrance signs, wayfinding signs, and all plant identification signs. A memorial plaque will also be placed.  

  • Train Depot |

    $500,000 | Have the Historic Hazlehurst Train Depot renamed the “____ Train Depot” in honor of your gift. This will include signage in front of the building once moved to our site, signage inside the building, and a portrait of the donor inside. 

  • Driveway |

    $350,000 | Have the drive to the Big House renamed the “____ Way” in honor of your gift. This will include official designation by the City of Hazlehurst, a new address issued to the Big House, and street signage placed.  

  • Parlor Room |

    $200,000 | Have the Parlor Room renamed the “____ Parlor” for your gift. This will include signage beside the entranceway to the room, inside the room, and a portrait of the donor in the room. 

  • Dining Room |

    $200,000 | Have the Dining Room renamed the “____ Dining Room” in honor of your gift. This will include signage beside the two entranceways to the room, signage inside the room, and a portrait of the donor in the room. 

  • Living Room |

    $200,000 | Have the Living Room renamed the “____ Room” in honor of your gift. This will include signage beside the entranceway to the room, signage inside the room, and a portrait of the donor in the room. 

  • Conservatory |

    $200,000 | Have the Conservatory renamed the “____ Conservatory” in honor of your gift. This will include signage beside the two entranceways to the room, signage inside the room, and a portrait of the donor in the room. 

  • Kitchen |

    $150,000 | Have the Kitchen renamed the “____ Kitchen” in honor of your gift. This will include signage beside the two entranceways to the room, signage inside the room, and a portrait of the donor in the room.