By Morgan Murphy
For the Opelika Observer
Opelika’s historic Brownfield House is now open to the public for hosting events.
Maintained by the Opelika Historic Preservation Society, the house can now be used for hosting public and civic group meetings, birthday parties, weddings and more.
Prices range from $400 for hosting events with no served food to $975 for a full-day wedding. The initial payment fee is $175, which is used to hold the date for an event.
“It is affordable, and by revamping this – prices and categories – we have tried to make it more accessible,” said OHPS Member Shane Dickerson.
Constructed in 1850 by Dr. Robert Styles Brownfield, the home is described as transitional in style, moving away from Neo-Classical (also known as “antebellum”) toward Victorian.
The house remained in the Brownfield family’s possession for nearly a century before passing out of their hands and falling into severe disrepair.
In the 1970s, the house was slated to be burned for training exercises for the Opelika Fire Department. Along with help from the city, the recently formed OHPS intervened, rescuing the house in an attempt to restore it to its former glory.
Once the house was given to the group for restoration, they were able to separate the house into multiple sections and move it onto city-owned land. This new location was the former home of Henry Cliff High School, which was one of the first high schools in Opelika.
According to Dickerson, each room has been tastefully decorated with period-style furnishings. Some of the features include a large parking lot in the backyard, fully furnished kitchen and ramped-entry access for guests.
Following the house’s restoration, the nonprofit faced high upkeep and maintenance costs. After several years, Dickerson said the group decided to change their policy and allow the home to be used for public events.
For more information or to schedule an event, visit the OHPS Facebook page or call 334-749-0898.