The grounds of Longleaf are steeped in history.

The town of Gay was incorporated after its first general store and post office were opened by William Gay in 1882. Today, the building has been restored with much of it retaining it’s original appointments including the original working hand cranked Otis Elevator. Now known as the 1911 Building, it serves as the home to The TowerHouse Farm Brewery Taproom and Biergarten, The studio and gallery spaces of renown artist, Jane Whitehurst, The Archive - a gallery and archival space and the offices of Longleaf.

In 1907, the railroad line brought agricultural opportunities to Gay, cotton and then peaches. The grounds include the town’s original cotton gin and peach packing complex. Due to the decline of agricultural activity, in 1972 the Gay family established the grounds as the Cotton Pickin’ Country Fair, in the 1990’s changed to the Cotton Pickin’ Fairgrounds, and in 2020 became The Cotton Fair by the new owners.

Today the grounds of Longleaf incorporates the legacy of the past and has preserved and restored the once derelict buildings into various community spaces and venues. Hopefully to continue the traditions of the grounds for generations to come as well as honoring it’s rich past and the residents of the the town of Gay.