 |
NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI
Built on the site of an ancient Indian village and named after the tribe,
which inhabited it, Natchez, Mississippi is one of the oldest cities in
North American. Elegant and exceptionally well preserved, Natchez offers
visitors a journey into the past with grand Antebellum homes and sweeping
plantations. But there is more to this beautiful river city. World renowned
festivals offer a deeper look into Natchez's rich and varied cultures,
and parks like the Natchez Trace Parkway provide enough lush beauty to
keep any nature lover happy.
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Because of its flat terrain, downtown Natchez is easy to explore by foot.
You might want to begin your journey at Bluff Park,  an
appealing riverside greenbelt with historical markers and benches providing
excellent views of the Mississippi. A monthly paper called 'On the River'
contains a fascinating walking tour that offers an intriguing lesson on
Natchez's rich and varied architecture.
Many of Natchez's historic mansions are open to the public, and some
that you might not want to miss include Monmouth, which is situated on
twenty-six exquisite acres, boasting scent-laden flowers, ponds, songbirds
and ancient oak trees; Rosalie, constructed of cypress, handmade brick
and bousillage (deerhair and mud) on cypress laths; Dunleith, a stately
white colonnade Greek Revival temple standing on a terraced rise surrounded
by forty acres of landscaped gardens and wooded bayous; and the stately
Stanton Hall, which occupies an entire city block. If you'd like to travel
back to before the 19th century, there's the House on Ellicott's Hill
and the Governor Holmes House, one of several Colonial treasures in Natchez'
Spanish Quarter. Tickets are available at each individual house or through
Natchez Pilgrimage Tours (601) 446-6631 or (800) 647-6742.
Melrose Plantation is an 1847 mansion owned by the National Park Service
and part of the Natchez National Historical Park. After the death of Melrose's
owner in 1883, the house was left in the care of former slaves, Jane Johnson
and Alice Sims. Johnson died at the age of 103 in the 1940's and Sims
at age 96 in the 1930's. The property includes numerous outbuildings,
cisterns, a slavery exhibit, formal gardens, and the Big House, where
the TV miniseries North & South was filmed. Admission is $6.00. (601)
442-7047.
For a visual exegesis of Natchez's colorful history, visit the Stratton
Chapel Gallery, which features a priceless exhibit of 1850s-1940s photographs.
The photographs were printed from original negatives of famous photographers
such as J.M. White, Henry d. Gurney and Henry C. Norman. (601) 442-4741.
NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY
 The
Natchez Trace Parkway is a 440-mile route that runs from Natchez in southern
Mississippi to just south of Nashville, Tennessee. The parkway memorializes
Native American paths, which, some say, began as buffalo trails, and which
were later used by white settlers to extend their trade. The current two-lane
road was begun in the late 1930s and is maintained by the National Park
Service. The Trace offers 15 major interpretive locations, historic sites,
camping, and picnic facilities. There are nature trails, portions of the
original trace, scenic overlooks, historic monuments, bridges and visitor
centers.
FESTIVALS
Natchez has a number of festivals that attract visitors from all over
the world. The renowned Natchez Pilgrimages, founded in 1932, highlight
the grandeur of the pre-Civil War South. The Spring and Fall Pilgrimages
are guided tours of splendid mansions built during the King Cotton era,
prior to 1862. Through daily guided tours, costumed hostesses interpret
the rooms, furnishings and history of each house.
Other festivals include the Natchez Powwow at Grand Village, which draws
Native Americans from all over the region for dance competitions, music
and craft demonstrations. The Natchez Blues Festival is held in May in
Memorial Park and draws big name entertainers every year.
The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race, in October, is a colorful spectacle
with dozens of hot-air balloons soaring above Natchez. Enjoy live music,
regional food, a fireworks extravaganza over the river, and the balloon
"glow" when pilots turn on the gas jets at night.
In December, professional actors reenact Civil War battles at Jefferson
College, just six miles east in Washington. The college is an official
state historical site, with restored buildings dating back to 1817 and
a fine nature trail along St. Catherine's Creek. Admission is free but
donations are accepted. Call (601) 442-2901 for more information.
« top »
|
|
