In Natchez, there's two "pilgrimages" where guests can see the beautiful and ancient mansions during two times of the year with costumed tour guides. During both of these Pilgrimages, there's other events such as drinking mint julep and listening to jazz at Stanton…Read More

In Natchez, there's two "pilgrimages" where guests can see the beautiful and ancient mansions during two times of the year with costumed tour guides. During both of these Pilgrimages, there's other events such as drinking mint julep and listening to jazz at Stanton Hall's Carriage House Restaurant, and a variety of plays performed at the Natchez Theater.

The Spring Pilgrimage
The Spring will take place from March 12-April 16, 2011. You can go onto the Natchez's pilgrimage website and order your tickets. There's about twenty-five to thirty homes opened for the occasion. For a three house tour, it will cost thirty for adults, and eighteen dollars for kids between the ages of six to eighteen. You can also see the three house tour plus your choice of one more home: Longwood, Rosalie, or Staton Hall for $42.00 for adults, and $26.00 for youth.

The Fall Pilgrimage
The Fall is from September 30-October 14, 2011. There are about nineteen homes open for the Fall. In the Fall, you can choose from two homes for twenty for adults, and twelve dollars for the kids. You are also given the option of three homes for the same price as the Spring: $30.00 for adults and $18.00 for kids. What's best about the Fall Pilgrimage is that it's often followed by the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race where hot air balloons take flight, fireworks are on display at night, and live bands perform.Close

A good way to acquaint yourself with the history of Mississippi is to visit the Old Capitol Museum. Constructed in 1839, this Greek-Revival building was Mississippi's state capitol until 1903. Today, it houses many exhibits about the state's history. Native-American artifacts include an authentic canoe…Read More

A good way to acquaint yourself with the history of Mississippi is to visit the Old Capitol Museum. Constructed in 1839, this Greek-Revival building was Mississippi's state capitol until 1903. Today, it houses many exhibits about the state's history. Native-American artifacts include an authentic canoe and fragments of pottery. There are also artifacts from the first European explorations of the area during the 1500s. One room focuses on the Civil War and Reconstruction, with a large collection of weapons, flags, and uniforms.

Another room presents the story of the rise of industry in the 20th century, with exhibits about the timber industry, railroads, textiles and scientific advancements with the cotton industry, and the rise in popularity of the Mississippi Delta Blues.

There is also a room containing exhibits about the 1960s Civil Rights struggle, much of which took place in this state. This exhibit was the first of its kind in America.

Interesting architectural features of this building include its twin spiral stairways and rotunda, where a large Christmas tree is displayed during the holidays. Special events, such as concerts, literary readings, and historical demonstrations, are also held here on a regular basis.

The House of Representatives once played host to orators like Jefferson Davis and Henry Clay. It was also in this room that Mississippi seceded from the Union in 1861.

A gift shop features books and souvenirs pertaining to the state's history. This is a wonderful structure and would be a great tourist attraction based on its architecture alone. The exhibits inside, however, are outstanding in their own right. I highly recommend this as a stop on any trip to Jackson.

Admission is free. The museum is open 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 4:30 on Saturdays, and 12:30 to 4:30 on Sundays. For more information, visit www.mdah.state.ms.us.

While at the Old Capitol, be sure to check out the nearby War Memorial Building. This monument honors Mississippi’s fallen heroes of all American wars. It is a very touching memorial to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Also nearby is the State Archives and History Library. The second oldest of its kind in the United States, and it contains a wealth of genealogical records and information about the history of Mississippi. It is open Mondays from 9am to 5pm, Tues day through Friday from 8am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.

The "New Capitol," located at 400 High St., was constructed in 1903. Similar in architectural style to the U.S. Capitol, the interior is highlighted by marble and stained-glass throughout. Guided tours are free and take you through the executive and legislative chambers. The Hall of Governors is a portrait gallery of every Mississippi governor. The Capitol grounds are dotted with monuments to notable Mississipians. The most notable of these features an angel comforting the wife of a Confederate soldier. It is dedicated to the women of the Confederacy. A golden eagle on the façade of the building seems to keep watch over the city. Give yourself about an hour and a half at the state capitol. It is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Close

Imagine its 1858, the long hard winter has just passed. The signs of spring are in the air and life is becoming abundantly evident. The air is sweet with honeysuckle and there before you is a magnificent and beautiful new home- Cedar Grove.…Read More

Imagine its 1858, the long hard winter has just passed. The signs of spring are in the air and life is becoming abundantly evident. The air is sweet with honeysuckle and there before you is a magnificent and beautiful new home- Cedar Grove. It has been furnished with treasures from all over the world, hand picked by John and Elizabeth Klein, the builders and owners. Throughout the estate gardens you can see pathways leading to water fountains, patios and secluded gazebos. In the background you can hear the hustle and bustle of the port city of Vicksburg along the Mississippi River. Guests are arriving in horse drawn carriages to attend a social afternoon with the Kleins. Now, it’s the year 2000, and the only thing that has changed is the date, and instead of just touring this mansion, you can actually “live it” and experience the “Gone with the Wind” elegance and charm. The weary traveler who’s first thought is to find a convenient, run of the mill motel in which to spend the night, could be pleasantly surprised to discover that a night a Cedar Grove is not only reasonable and affordable, but can rejuvenate the spirit as well. Close

During the War for Southern Independence, maintaining control of the Mississippi River was an absolute must for the Confederacy to survive. Likewise for Ulysses S. Grant, commander of U.S. armies in the West, it was imperative to keep the Confederates from being able to…Read More

During the War for Southern Independence, maintaining control of the Mississippi River was an absolute must for the Confederacy to survive. Likewise for Ulysses S. Grant, commander of U.S. armies in the West, it was imperative to keep the Confederates from being able to ship supplies up and down the river. After Memphis and New Orleans had been captured, only one major obstacle stood in Grant’s way: Vicksburg, the Gibraltar of the Mississippi.

For 2 years, this important port high on the Mississippi’s bluffs had been impenetrable. Now that Memphis and New Orleans were in Union hands, Vicksburg became a prized target. Grant and Admirals David Farragut and David Dixon Porter concentrated every resource they had upon its capture. It proved to be a daunting task. They began shelling the town on March 31, 1863, and did not capture it until July 4. While General Meade was turning Lee’s forces away at Gettysburg, Grant had opened up the Mississippi River completely to Union control. In the process, he had cut off Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas from the rest of the Confederacy; he had cut the Confederacy’s lifeline. Although not as well known, the victory won that day at Vicksburg was probably more important to the outcome of the war than was the battle of Gettysburg. Because of this success, Lincoln appointed Grant as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Lee would soon meet his match and the war would be over in less than 2 years.

Today, Vicksburg National Military Park stands as a memorial to the brave men and women (Confederate and Union) who withstood the 47-day Siege of Vicksburg. Upon entering the park, you will be charged $4/car admission fee. Your first stop here is the visitor center, which gives you a good orientation of the battlefield and lots of background information on the history of the battle. A short film about the battle is shown, and several exhibits are on display. They also have a gift shop, which includes postcards, books, and other souvenir items. You can also purchase a $5 tape here, which guides you on your auto-tour of the battleground. The tape was very informative, but I often found myself getting ahead of the narrator, despite the fact that I was only going 25mph, as it suggested.

As you leave the visitor center, you will drive through the Memorial Arch and proceed into the area of the Union battle lines. Because this area was the Union position, many memorials erected by Northern states are located along the route here. The Shirley House, known to Union troops as the "White House," was occupied by the 45th Illinois Infantry. It was not opened when we were there. Just past here is a very impressive domed structure with four large columns and a bronze eagle perched atop a gable. This is the Illinois monument.

The area that served as Grant’s headquarters is marked by a life-sized statue of the general. Once you pass this area, you begin to travel toward the river. At one place in this wooded area, we could see a trailer park through the woods. Although it probably cannot be see in the summer months when leaves are on the trees, it seems the National Park Service was not able to totally salvage the battlefield from all development. Near the river is the USS Cairo Museum. This museum is dedicated to a Union ironclad, which sank in the river. It was closed at that time due to renovations.

Just past the USS Cairo Museum is the Vicksburg National Cemetery. 17,000 Union soldiers from the Siege of Vicksburg, along with 13,000 more from later wars are buried here. Once you have passed the National Cemetery, you begin to enter the Confederate portion of the battlefield. Now, you will see memorials from Confederate states to honor their heroes. Several earthworks and fortifications constructed by Confederate forces are located along this route as well. Near the Great Redoubt, a Confederate earthwork, a monument marks the spot where John C. Pemberton surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. Pemberton could no longer watch the suffering of his troops and the citizens of Vicksburg, who had been cut off from the rest of the world for 47 days. We found some tables, near a statue of Jefferson Davis, to have a picnic on. Shortly after this, the road brings you back to the Visitors Center and you are done with the tour.

Give yourself plenty of time to see everything there is to offer here. We got out of the car and read most of the historic markers and looked around. It took us about 2.5 hours to go all the way around the loop. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/vick.

Close

Unlike Jackson, many of Vicksburg’s antebellum structures survived the War Between the States. Despite being shelled for 47 days by Union gunboats in the Mississippi, the city has maintained much of its historic character. During the first weeks of April and October, the…Read More

Unlike Jackson, many of Vicksburg’s antebellum structures survived the War Between the States. Despite being shelled for 47 days by Union gunboats in the Mississippi, the city has maintained much of its historic character. During the first weeks of April and October, the city holds what are respectively known as its Spring and Fall Pilgrimages. During these times, buildings not normally available to the public are opened for tours. The Vicksburg CVB offers maps and brochures detailing walking tours of the downtown area, which includes many of the structures mentioned here.

Cedar Grove

Discussed in a separate listing, this 1840 plantation house now operates as a bed-and-breakfast inn.

Duff Green Mansion

This three-story Palladian mansion was constructed by African slaves in 1856. The home of wealthy merchant Duff Green, it was used as both a Confederate and Union hospital during the war. One interesting story relayed on the tour is about how Green’s wife gave birth to a son in a nearby shelter during one of many attacks on the house. He was appropriately named Siege. The mansion now operates as a bed-and-breakfast. Just as it did in the 1850s, the large ballroom still hosts many large parties and receptions. Thirty-minute guided tours are given daily from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $5. For more information, call 800/992-0037.

Anchuca

Built in 1830, this Greek-Revival mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was used as a hospital during the Siege of Vicksburg and was also the setting for one of Jefferson Davis’ last public addresses. The interior is furnished with period antiques and the grounds feature landscaped gardens and courtyards, as well as outbuildings which once served as slave quarters. Thirty-minute tours are given on Saturdays from 4 to 6pm. For more information, please visit www.anchucamansion.com.

Balfour House

Visitors to this 1835 Greek-Revival mansion will learn the story of a Christmas party interrupted by uninvited guests: Union troops. You will also learn about the hardships endured by Vicksburg residents during the Siege, based on the diaries of Emma Balfour. The three-story staircase is indescribable – you have to see it for yourself. Admission is $6/adult. Tours are available Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. For more information, call 800/294-7113.

Martha Vick House

Built for the daughter of the town’s founder in 1830, this small brick mansion is filled with period antiques and artwork. Thirty-minute tours are given Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 1 to 5pm. Admission is $5. For more information, call 601/638-7036.

Christ Episcopal Church

Located at 1119 Main St., this is the oldest church in Vicksburg. Constructed in 1839, its cornerstone was laid by Bishop Leonidas Polk, who later became a Confederate General. During the Siege, daily services were held here despite the shelling from the Union gunboats. The rectory, located next door, is also a pre-Civil War structure and still used as the rector’s home. It is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 6pm. Admission is free, but donations are recommended.

Pemberton’s Headquarters

General John C. Pemberton, Confederate commander of Vicksburg, used this 1835 mansion as his command post during the Siege. Pemberton, a West Point graduate and transplanted Yankee (born in Pennsylvania), made the decision to surrender from the parlor of this house. This decision ended weeks of starvation and suffering for the residents of Vicksburg. However, they would live under the watchful eye of Federal troops for the remainder of the war. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 1 to 5pm. Admission is $5. For more information, call 601/636-9581.

McRaven

This unique historic home was built during three different periods. First constructed in 1797 as a brick structure, two other sections were added in 1836 and 1849. A portion of the fighting during the Siege took place all around the house. Cannon damages and bullet holes can still be seen. Many artifacts from battle have been found on the property and are on display. Tours last 1.5 hours and are given Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $5. For more information, visit www.mcraven.com.

The Old Court House

Constructed by slaves in 1858, this historic building has been visited by several US Presidents. The architecture is very impressive. Each side of the building features six 30-inch columns. A bell tower on top is housed inside a cupola. When Union troops captured the building in 1863, they promptly lowered the Confederate flag and replaced it with the American flag. It now houses a museum with Civil War artifacts and exhibits about life in the "Old South." Tours are self-guided. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30m to 4:30pm and Sundays from 1:30am to 4:30pm. Admission is $3. For more information, please call 601/636-0741.

Close

Quite a few of the South’s important cities met the fate of William T. Sherman’s torch during the Great Yankee Invasion of the 1860s. Jackson, Mississippi, was one of the first of these unfortunate cities. After the town was burned in 1863,…Read More

Quite a few of the South’s important cities met the fate of William T. Sherman’s torch during the Great Yankee Invasion of the 1860s. Jackson, Mississippi, was one of the first of these unfortunate cities. After the town was burned in 1863, many structures had only their chimneys left, prompting some to nickname it "Chimneyville." Fortunately for us, a handful of the city’s antebellum structures did survive and remain to this day.

City Hall

Because it was being used as a hospital, this structure was not molested by Federal troops when they captured the city. Built in 1847, it is one of the finest examples of Greek-Revival architecture in the country. Located on S. President Street, it is open to the public for free Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. For more information, call 601/960-1034.

Governor’s Mansion

Constructed in 1842, this building served as headquarters for both Grant and Sherman. Throughout Mississippi’s history, this Greek-Revival mansion has been the only one designated as the official residence of the state’s governor (it is the second oldest of its kind in the United States). Free guided tours are given Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 to 11am. For more information, call 601/359-6473.

Manship House

Located at E. Fortification Street and Congress Street, this Gothic-Revival mansion was built in 1857. It was the home of Charles Henry Manship, the town’s mayor, who surrendered the town to Sherman on July 21, 1863. The house is filled with Manship family belongings and artwork. Free guided tours are offered Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 4pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. For more information, call 601/961-4724.

The Oaks House

This Greek-Revival residence is thought to be the oldest house in Jackson to be continuously occupied. Constructed in 1846, it was the home of James Hervey Boyd, a former mayor of Jackson. The house has been restored and furnished with period antiques. A rocking chair and couch that once belonged to Abraham Lincoln are among the many antiques found here. Thirty-minute tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Admission is $3. For more information, call 601/353-9339.

Boddie Mansion at Tougaloo College

The 200-year-old moss-draped oaks that once graced Boddie Plantation now shade the students of Tougaloo College, a historically black institution founded in 1869. The Boddie Mansion, erected in 1848, now houses the college’s administrative offices.

Close

Katrina, a category 4 hurricane, hit the Gulf Coast in late summer of 2005. While New Orleans was the most publicized of the areas hit, Gulfport, Mississippi, and the Interstate 90 area had some of the most extensive damage. From what I was told, I-90…Read More

Katrina, a category 4 hurricane, hit the Gulf Coast in late summer of 2005. While New Orleans was the most publicized of the areas hit, Gulfport, Mississippi, and the Interstate 90 area had some of the most extensive damage. From what I was told, I-90 runs east to west from the Florida panhandle all the way to Louisiana and follows the coast ft the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout Mississippi the route is mostly impassable; in some areas the asphalt has buckled and sand from underneath has spilled across the road.

To get to this area of Gulfport, you have to get past the barbed wire and armed guards placed at each entry road to deter looters and unnecessary traffic. The guards will check to see if you have a homeowners or Utility Company pass authorizing your access. The mother of the woman I was working with in our local office has a home about a block north of the coast. Of all the houses on her block, only four survived, one of which was hers, although it had major damage. The garage in the backyard was severely damaged, the master bedroom roof fell in, and all the carpet had to be removed, all of which was repairable, but the yard was in major disarray and five bodies were found in all the debris once search-and-rescue began. Her family had it luckier than most.

Using her mother's homeowner's pass one day and a utilities company pass from the wife of one of our fellow employees, we were able to venture in closer than most. As we pulled up to the guards station, we were a little nervous we would be asked for identification. Lucky for us, they saw the pass in the car window and waved us through with no questions asked.

The first thing I noticed was the smell. With sewer lines pushed through the asphalt and wide open in certain places, the odor was overwhelming. It reminded me of dirty diapers or decomposing animals, but worse. I got out of the car at one point to take a photo and could not keep from gagging. The air quality could not be the best, especially with all the particles from the demolished buildings floating in the air.

As we avoided potholes and the occasional vehicle coming form the opposite direction on the now one-lane road, I was astounded by what I saw. Where large mansions and plantation homes once overlooked the water, all that remained were piles of debris and sometimes foundations of the original buildings. The force of the water during the storm just swept away entire homes. The ancient, majestic oaks that once lined I-90 now lay uprooted on their sides. Periodically one would be marked "ALIVE" in red paint or tied with a red ribbon to avoid being destroyed when the cleanup crews arrived so the residents could replant the trees. We even passed a sign that said, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," spray-painted by one homeowner.

Farther down we passed hotels, restaurants, and a coastal Wal-Mart that was gutted. Do-gooders would leave piles of clothes in parking lots for local residents to take what they needed. Unfortunately, these items were not in containers and were at the mercy of the elements for days on end. There were similar piles all through the town in store and church parking lots. People tried to help, but did not seem to think it through.

At one point, as we passed overturned cars, fishing vessels, and pile and piles of debris, we came upon a boat that was brought ashore by Hurricane Camille in, I believe, 1993. The residents had left it where it had landed as a reminder of how strong a storm could be. The boat, surprisingly, was in the same place as before Katrina hit. We also saw a tractor trailer upside down in the water with only its wheels sticking in the air. The area was known for its floating casinos, some of which were the size of large office buildings. We passed the Copa Casino, a huge orange barge casino that was picked up and dumped on land. I found it hard to comprehend that something so large had ridden the waves onto land.

By now we had reached the end of the drivable portion of I-90 and had to turn in towards town. As we traveled farther from shore, the damage was not as severe but still devastating. Almost all of the homes still standing had large blue tarps over the roofs, and office buildings and storefronts had their windows blown out, the innards swept away. Buildings had large red crosses on them marking that they had been searched for survivors and bodies. We passed trees that were surrounded by metal, concrete, and appliances and covered with so many plastic bags hanging from them that they resembled Christmas trees.

By the end of the drive, my stomach had tightened and I fought back tears as I realized that this was actually 2 months after the devastating storm had passed through. I could not image what it looked like at the beginning.

Close

If you enjoy going to yesteryear buildings that are still in use, you’ll want to stop by here. The general store and gristmill are on the National Register of Historic Places. The original store that sits next to the 1895 building was built in 1869 as…Read More

If you enjoy going to yesteryear buildings that are still in use, you’ll want to stop by here. The general store and gristmill are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The original store that sits next to the 1895 building was built in 1869 as a trading post for the settlers and Choctaw Indians. In the original building, the gristmill is still in operation, grinding corn into cornmeal. The mix for the cornmeal is an old variety of Indian white milling corn and popcorn.

When the 1895 store was built, it also held the medical office of Dr. Billy Anderson, a country doctor. Not only did he have a medical practice, but he was also the first postmaster.

Many of the original fixtures are still in place. Upon entering the front door, you get to check out the 1890s street-vendor peanut roaster that was restored and is used daily. As you move to the back of the store, they have a wonderful player-piano collection of the late owner Leslie Hagwood. All are one of a kind. There is a silent-movie nickelodeon that came from the Grand Opera House in Meridian. It was purchased in the 1960s and had more than $65,000 put into its restoration and preservation. Prior to Mr. Hagwood's death, he offered it to the Riley Foundation, who purchased it and placed it in the opera house in Meridian after the building was restored. There is also a barroom piano known as the Egyptian, built by Wurlitzer in 1912. It features stained glass and a hand-carved cabinet. There were only two Egyptians built, and one was burned in the Cliff House Hotel in San Francisco in 1936. The other pianos on display include a home-model player with a built-in turntable and a Reproduco, which is a piano and pipe-organ combination.

Some of the other interesting things you can check out are a 1947 television set (the first of the mirror-image type), a 1936 Stromberg-Carlson floor model radio that still operates, and toys from the 1930s through 1990s.

Behind the deli case you’ll find the cheese cutter used to slice the red-rind hoop cheese that has been made in the same area since 1898. The display cases are original, from the store buildings or other old stores in Mississippi. Back in the 1920s, there was a marble backbar and soda fountain.

The store has been seen in commercials and photo setups. It found itself featured in television specials about the gristmill. A national New York show, "Collectible FX," did a live show from the store. The store is featured in several travel books, with the Associated Press and some travel magazines having featured it as a glimpse of the past store.

Hours of operation are 6am to 7pm Monday through Saturday and 8am to 5pm Sunday.

Directions to the store from I20-I59, Meridian, MS: Take Hwy 19 south approximately 7 miles, watch for state highway sign for right turn to Causeyville, follow signs for about 5 miles.

Close

The Williams Mansion was the second home we toured in Meridian. The home has been relocated from its original location, just down the street. The movers did an excellent job and there was no damage from the move. The Williams home is…Read More

The Williams Mansion was the second home we toured in Meridian. The home has been relocated from its original location, just down the street. The movers did an excellent job and there was no damage from the move. The Williams home is a Victorian house with leaded, beveled, stained-glass windows and gingerbread trim. The home has been restored and furnished with period pieces. We enjoyed the tour through the Williams home and thought the tour guide did a wonderful job of explaining the history of the house.Close

While we were in Meridian, we went through two beautiful old houses, Merrehope Mansion and Williams Mansion. Both had their own unique brand of beauty. Merrehope is a 20-room mansion that started as a small cottage before the Civil War, served as Confederate…Read More

While we were in Meridian, we went through two beautiful old houses, Merrehope Mansion and Williams Mansion. Both had their own unique brand of beauty.

Merrehope is a 20-room mansion that started as a small cottage before the Civil War, served as Confederate headquarters for General Joseph E. Johnston during part of the Civil War, and was finally completed in its current form in 1904. The house has beautiful ruby glass at the front entrance and a beautiful staircase. It also has a suspended porch on the second floor, which is somewhat unique for mansions of its time. The tour guide was well informed and did a splendid job of telling us about the house and its history.

Close