NATCHEZ —Leigh Dickey knew that Magnolia Hall needed work but she was unaware of the scope of the project.

That was until a New Orleans architect stopped by the Greek revival mansion.

“He had done work for us in the past and just stopped by to see the house,” Dickey said. “When he looked at the house he told us that we had a major problem.”

Water is entering the historic home via the eaves of the roof. Water is also becoming trapped between the brick and stucco on the exterior of the house, and causing the stucco to separate from the brick.

In places, the stucco has even fallen off of the house.

The problems with the roof are also causing the cosmetic issues inside Magnolia Hall.

“We just never looked up,” said Dickey who is serving as chairman of this event. “We were concerned about the inside of the house and never looked up.”

Now, knowing the scope of the project, Dickey and the rest of the Natchez Garden Club is busy raising money to tackle the restoration.

The group will host its second annual Magnolia Hall social event on Thursday. “Drinks at Dunleith” will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the main house at Dunleith. There will be live entertainment, an appetizer buffet, a cash bar and a silent auction.

“We thought, why not have a party,” said Cheryl Morace, president of Natchez Garden Club. “Most people in Natchez love to party and have a good time.”

Dickey stressed that the event is casual in nature, especially since it is right before the Cathedral High School football game.

“I’ve been telling everyone to come in their jeans and football attire and leave for the game from Dunleith,” Dickey said.

Last year’s event, “A Night out in Natchez,” was so successful that the club had to move this year’s gathering to a larger venue. And the club is hoping to build on that success.

“The number of people wanting to help sponsor the event lets us know that they think it is a worthwhile cause,” Dickey said.

Not only are businesses and individuals jumping on board to help sponsor the event, local businesses are eagerly donating items for the silent auction.

“We have some great pieces up for auction this year,” Dickey said.

Businesses have donated jewelry, pottery, books and purses as well as larger items such as rugs, furniture and lamps.

Tickets are available for $15 each. They may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Natchez Garden Club at 601-443-9065.

The money raised during the party will go into a fund that will then be used to obtain grant funding to start the repairs and restoration needed at Magnolia Hall.

Dickey, who also serves as chairman of Magnolia Hall, said a number of grants are available to aid in restoration projects but that most of them require matching funds from the club.

“Most of the grants will match us dollar-for-dollar so the more money we have to put into the project the more we can get through grants,” Dickey said.

Morace said that the tricky part is finding the proper grants for the house, but, once they are found, the club has had past luck in being awarded grants.

“We don’t easily obtain them, but Natchez has a good reputation with grants,” Morace said. “Our restorations are truly restorations and not renovations.”

Magnolia Hall’s last major restoration took place in the 70s immediately after the club was given the property. The house had been converted into Trinity Episcopal Day School and needed to be returned to its original state.

After the roof repairs are completed and the interior and exterior cosmetic work is done, the club is hoping to continue working towards returning Magnolia Hall to its original grandeur.

“When Trinity was here, they put down commercial grade tile over the hardwood floors so they need to be restored badly,” Dickey said. “We also don’t have any of the original furniture from the house and hope to obtain some of that.”

Maintaining the integrity of the house is of the utmost importance to the club. So much so that when a portion of the ornate molding in the staircase started to fall, the club collected the pieces in hopes that it can be repaired.

“We have every piece in a box at the office,” Dickey said. “Once we get the roof repaired we hope we can put it back together.”

Morace said that while the house is owned by the Natchez Garden Club, the entire city will benefit from the restoration.

“The house is open to everyone in the community to be rented for gatherings and occasions,” Morace said. “The more restoration you can do the better it is for everyone.”

Dickey agreed.

“When tourism is what you have, the way it is in Natchez, it is worth the effort to make it great.”