Women?s club hosting annual bazaar

Fairfield Women?s Club will host its annual spring bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the McElhinny House.

The club will be selling frozen ham balls and chicken casseroles. Bakery items and crafts also will be sold.

The frozen foods can be pre-ordered by calling 472-4248.

All proceeds from the spring bazaar are used to help maintain the historic McElhinny House.

The McElhinny House on Court Street, just north of Jefferson County Courthouse, was built for pioneer merchant Robert McElhinny by carpenter John Lynn Jr. beginning in 1846, with completion between 1852 and 1857.

The McElhinny family?s home was Fairfield?s first showplace. The dwelling remained in the McElhinny family for 69 years. At times, it was closed and vacant, while at other times, it was rented as a rooming house and a private home.

After the family sold the house, it had various owners, and was even used as an elementary school after World War I until 1931.

In 1933, it was purchased by the Fairfield Women?s Club through a bequest from the estate of Elizabeth McElhinny, daughter of Robert McElhinny. In her will, McElhinny gave $10,000 to the club to purchase a club house.

It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.