There’s an art to Southern culture that must be experienced to be appreciated. From spending slow mornings smelling the sweet fragrance of fresh produce cooked into a family favorite dish to summer nights spent setting tables for supper, there is something unmistakable about simple Southern moments. It is the comfort that comes with these experiences that Julialake Graham captures and creates anew at The Clubhouse in Fairhope.

A stunning historic property, The Clubhouse is home to not only Graham and her family of seven, but generations of Fairhope history. Positioned as a vacation town for the people of Mobile in the early 1900s, Fairhope drew droves of people looking for a leisurely, laid-back escape. Originally built in 1922 for the Fairhope Golf, Gun and Country Club, The Clubhouse holds a multitude of memories for locals of the time. “There really is such a story here,” shares Graham.

As the family settled into their new home, they found memorabilia left by previous owners that gave insight into the property they had purchased. Graham explains that during the twentieth century, many of the events of the day were held at The Clubhouse. She recalls one conversation that gave her a deeper appreciation for the sentimentality of the space.

A group of older women was walking by the property, and, as she explains, “Someone was telling me that they came and looked at The Clubhouse one day and one of them said, ‘This is where I got my first kiss.’” In its prime, The Clubhouse hosted many major events that served as a backdrop for memories, both big and small.

“It has a lot of history in that way. It really was a place of community,” Graham muses. Community has become a common throughline for the Graham family as they have adjusted to life in the historic home, and it is that spirit that they intend to awaken within others as they are once again invited into the space. Graham felt that the story should not end with these fading memories of a former Fairhope, but should instead continue on with the creation of new traditions.

Determined to create a space for community to flourish, Graham has brought a new generation of Southern gatherings to the table. While always chic and beautifully ornamented, each event at The Clubhouse is intended to evoke the essence of those sacred moments in Southern culture. “I love a beautiful dinner party. That is where this all starts for me. It is the most human thing to have people into our home and feed them and sit them at our table,” she shares.

A stylist by trade, she combines her elegant eye with a passion for people. “I’ve always loved to entertain. I love bringing different people together who maybe wouldn’t ever meet. I love the tradition of hospitality.”

Locals and visitors to The Clubhouse can expect a lineup of events that is as dynamic as it is unique. “We’ve done everything from pasta making to mixology classes. We did bread making, we’ve done Mahjong Table Scaping; we did Herb Garden to Table; we did capsule wardrobes with Liz Damrich,” she shares.

Regardless of the theme, Graham ensures that the focus is on the experience and how moments spent together can bring a sense of peace and purpose. “We are meant to sharpen and inspire each other,” says Graham. Through The Clubhouse, she hopes to resurrect the part of our culture that thrived on togetherness and presence. “It is a reminder that we really do need that personal in-person connection.”

While each event has left an impact on her guests, Graham finds that the feeling is more than mutual. “I feel like I’ve definitely learned as much from the people that have attended and the people that I’ve gotten to know because of The Clubhouse as they might have learned here,” she explains. She hopes that every attendee will find a sense of place at The Clubhouse and enjoy an evening that leads to lasting relationships.

“To me, it is really special when they leave, and they feel like the world is a little smaller.”

Learn more about Julialake and The Clubhouse here. Follow along for updates and announcements here.