The Polk Ball 2026
The Mission
The Polk Ball supports the mission of the President James K. Polk Memorial Association, which operates, maintains and preserves the Polk Home, its grounds, properties and collection. The Polk Home’s staff strives to educate the public about the life, times and legacy of James and Sarah Polk.
The Ball
The Polk Ball, one of Middle Tennessee’s premier charity events, is a black tie gala benefiting the James K. Polk Association. Founded in 1986 by Columbia natives Mrs. William Fleming (Sheila), Mrs. Don Crichton (Eva James) and Ms. Barbara Jackson, the Ball now in its 38th year, is a principal source of funding for the President James K. Polk Home and Museum.
A biennial event, the Ball includes an evening of elegant dining and dancing on the grounds of a selected Maury County historic home, and is attended by Polk members and their guests.
Antrim Celebrations
Antrim Celebrations located just south of Columbia, Tennessee, is a historic estate rich in Southern heritage. Built in 1810 by Joseph Porter Brown, it was the first brick home in Maury County south of the Duck River. Originally part of land inherited by the Brown family in the early 1800s, the property grew into a 300-acre plantation in the late 1840s under John Mourning Francis and his wife, who add the signature white-pillared Greek Revival facade.
James K. Polk received some of his earliest education with these families at Brick Meeting House built near the old pioneer graveyard behind Antrim.
During the Civil War, a skirmish took place on the front lawn in December 1864, and both Confederate and Union soldiers- along with Confederate General Frank Cheatham- spent time on the property.
After years of decline, Peggy Adams Dickinson and Swope Fleming restored the estate in 1937, naming it “Antrim” in honor of their McGavock-Irish heritage.
2026 Polk Ball Chairs
Co-Chair Rachel Hughes, Owner of Ye Peddler Boutique and YP Boutique.
Co-Chair Katie Baker, Owner of Baker Group Realty
