By Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The town of Clarksville has a historic and architectural gem in the Smith-Trahern Mansion, 101 McClure St., which was built from 1858 to 1859. And for 30 years now, the Sweetheart Cake Bake has been hosted there annually to raise funds for its upkeep.
If you love to bake, this is the event in which to participate; it is both a fundraiser and a competition. So simply put on your Martha Stewart hat and daydream about which category you might enter.
There are 10 categories: chocolate; coconut; pound, chiffon or sponge; fruit or jam; cheesecake; coffee cake; miscellaneous; Italian cream; decorated cake; and decorated Valentine’s-themed cake. Last year’s annual Sweetheart Cake Bake drew in 150 cakes to assist in the preservation of the historic mansion.
PHOTO: The Sweetheart Cake Bake has 10 categories: chocolate; coconut; pound, chiffon or sponge; fruit or jam; cheesecake; coffee cake; miscellaneous; Italian cream; decorated cake; and decorated Valentine’s-themed cake./Photo courtesy of Katie Smith and Jet Alexander-Williams.
The presentation of these cakes takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at the mansion (bakers should deliver cakes between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.). During this event the bakers get to meet other bakers and enjoy a light luncheon. Judging is typically completed by 2:30 p.m.
The Sweetheart Cake Bake is produced by the Family and Community Education organization (FCE) in partnership with the University of Tennessee Extension of Montgomery County. UT Extension agent Martha Pile has helped organize the cake bake for many years.
Pile says, “The cake bake is the one fundraiser each year that we use to keep up the inside of the home, update needs and overall improve the use of the antebellum home that we all love. It does not bring in a huge amount of money each year, but over 30 years it has made a continuing effort to keep the doors open.”
Funds are raised by bakers getting a $30 (or greater) donation per cake from sponsors, who are then given the cake following the event. Make checks payable to “Smith-Trahern Mansion.”
Inspired by the fancy manners on the television period drama “Downton Abbey,” Pat Woods recently held an “Eyes Up, Forks Down Etiquette” class at the mansion for the Sweetheart Cake Bake volunteers./Photo: Karen Parr-Moody
Those who want to enter should try to pre-register by 12 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 to insure their name gets in the program. For details, call the UT
Extension office at 931-648-5725. There is an entry form that the organizers would like to be returned to the UT Extension Office at 1030 Cumberland Heights Road, Clarksville, Tennessee 37040.
The mansion was designed by the distinguished architect Adolphus Heiman, who also designed Nashville’s famous Belmont Mansion, on which completing construction in 1853. Its architectural style is a blend of Greek Revival and Italianate.
Due to its age, the mansion is experiencing deterioration problems. Some reported estimates for the structure’s repair have been as high as approximately $2 million. Since it represents Clarksville’s early architectural heritage, many people come together each year for its support during the Sweetheart Cake Bake.
Guests attending last year’s Sweetheart Cake Bake luncheon./ Photo courtesy of Katie Smith and Jet Alexander-Williams.
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.