BON SECOUR — What goes around, comes around. If the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission has anything to do with it, the same will be true for the grounds of Swift-Coles Historic Home.

Each week, volunteers from the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission have been working on an ongoing project to restore the grounds to their original splendor, “to provide an accurate depiction of the 1910 gardens,” a letter by Commission Chairman Ken Underwood states.

That project includes ridding the five acres of invasive foliage and trees.

“All of the underbrush that obstructs the view,” Master Gardener Reggie Anderson said during a break from the work.

Once cleared, the foliage that retains the home’s history will be highlighted.

“We’re trying to open up that view,” Anderson said.

The results of a study indicate that that includes a wide variety of plants ranging from rhododendron and gardenia jasminoides to iris and narcissus. In addition, a portion of the acreage will be cleared for the possible relocation of an early 18th century tabby building to the property that Underwood said was built by the French and used as a trading post.

“This is just brainstorming,” Underwood said. “We would also like to acquire a salt kettle.”

Such a kettle would be a nod to Bon Secour’s role in reviving the nation’s salt industry after the Civil War.

But Underwood said another motivation to landscape the grounds is to showcase it when weddings, receptions and events are held at the home.

“Last year there were five weddings here,” he said.

The landscaping project will also make it easier for the University of South Alabama’s Department of Archaeology to conduct its survey, which is estimated to begin sometime this summer.

In addition to landscaping, the Commission has also painted the home’s exterior, worked on the kitchen and added air conditioning for the events, Underwood said. Making all these projects possible has been accomplished with volunteers, grants and donations. In addition, docents who guide the tours are volunteers.

To volunteer on the landscaping project, as a docent or to donate to Swift-Coles Historic Home, call Underwood at 251-965-7582 or Anderson at 251-928-9629. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Baldwin County Historic Development Commission. P.O. Box 1139, Fairhope, AL 36533.