Auburn Plantation…read more We toured this house during the "Hope Restoration Project". The tour was amazing. So much history and the house is absolutely stunning! Here's a little history lesson. In 1811, Lyman Harding, the first Attorney General of Mississippi, hired Levi Weeks to build the mansion. Levi designed the house to be, in his words, the "most magnificent building in the state." After Harding died in 1820, the building was bought by Dr. Stephen Duncan. Here's a little history on Dr. Duncan,... He was born and studied medicine in Pennsylvania, but moved to Natchez in 1808 and became the wealthiest cotton planter and the second-largest slave owner in the U.S. with over 2,200 slaves. He owned 15 cotton and sugar plantations, served as President of the Bank of Mississippi, and held major investments in railroads and lumber. He became an influential Mississippi backer of the American Colonization Society, which promoted the removal of freed American blacks to Liberia, a colonial settlement in West Africa. Under his leadership during the 1830s, the Mississippi Colonization Society removed 571 African-Americans to Liberia. He was a steadfast Unionist during the American Civil War. He tried unsuccessfully to lobby the Lincoln Administration to help him protect his slaveholdings after the Union army occupied large swaths of Mississippi. But appeals from Duncan and his family members largely went unheeded. In late 1863, he left the Confederacy by Union gunboat and relocated to New York City where he lived until his death in 1867. Auburn and 222 acres was sold by the family to the city of Natchez in 1911 and is now a historic house museum in a public park.

We were on a road trip and we're excited to stay in an antebellum home. The price was fully twice…read morewhat we had paid it any other hotel along the way. That was fine because we expect to Pay more at a bed-and-breakfast mansion. But, the room was quite dirty. The tops of the vintage baseboards were covered with dirt and dust. The corners of the bathroom were very dirty. I somehow expected a room at an antebellum mansion to be pristine. The breakfast in the morning was just so so. It was scrambled eggs, bacon and grits. Generally when we stay in fancy bed and breakfasts, the breakfast is something special. Some interesting new thing or something we've never tried before. This was just Normal --a little disappointing.

A historic experience in Natchez, MS. The museum is a treasure. It was awesome learning about the…read moreAfrican American experience in that area.

What an amazing museum! I made the trek on a random Saturday and I am so glad I did. The gentlemen…read moreworking were friendly, informative and helpful. There was so much to look at and features a variety of historical items and artifacts. So many books from local authors, artwork. A short video is offered and has a lot of history. I would recommend to anyone in the area. It is free, but they do accept donations.

Rarely are we are fortunate enough to have verified, reliable and written evidence regarding…read moreancient cultures. The Natchez Indian culture dates back to the 1200's and survived up in the 1700's. In Mississippi, the Spaniards encountered the tribes is the 1500's. The French interacted in the early 1700's and documented with great detail the Natchez people and their way of life. This landmark provides a brief but detailed look into that culture and so is well worth a stop. As others have mentioned, Avis, who works behind the counter, is a longtime resident of the area and well versed in the history. She is extremely friendly and a delight to talk with so take advantage of her knowledge when you stop in!

I visited here after visiting a couple of other places and was kind of disappointed prior to coming…read morehere. This place was delightful, and I am so very glad I stopped by. A lovely lady was working the front, gave pamphlets on the area, and information about the Village. There is a long history here, and an amazing spot. If you are in the area, I highly suggest you come here and take a look around. Watch the short film and then walk around the mounds. I would suggest wearing comfortable shoes and drinking plenty of water while here.

We came here as part of the pilgrimage. Absolutely stunning house with some amazing history. Def…read moreworth a visit. Lansdowne (Natchez, Mississippi) -built in 1853 as a wedding gift for George Matthews Marshall and his wife, Charlotte Hunt. Charlotte was the daughter of David Hunt, a wealthy planter known as "King David." The estate was named after their English friend, the Marquess of Lansdowne, reflecting the couple's admiration for English landed gentry. The mansion showcases Greek Revival architecture and retains many original features, including Italian marble mantels and Zuber & Cie wallpaper. The estate originally spanned 727 acres and was a working cotton plantation, relying on enslaved labor before the Civil War. During the war, George Marshall was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh and subsequently paid a substitute to serve in his place. In 1865, Union soldiers attempted to loot Lansdowne, but the family's butler, Robert, had hidden their silver under the floorboards, thwarting the theft. After the war, the Marshalls faced economic challenges due to the abolition of slavery. Charlotte sold butter and eggs to support the family and maintain the estate. Despite these hardships, Lansdowne remained in the Marshall family and has been carefully preserved. Today, it encompasses 120 acres and is still owned by descendants of George and Charlotte. The estate offers tours and operates as a bed and breakfast, allowing visitors to experience its rich history and original furnishings.

We were welcomed by the family and staff with punch, who then shared the estate grounds and the…read moreinterior like we were family. Had an amazing lunch of curried chicken and creamed spinach followed by plum cake. Excellent!

As Hurricane Harvey raged about 300 miles to the west, I drove through western Mississippi on a…read moremurky Sunday morning. The winding roads leading to Windsor ruins are filled with an intense green canopy where kudzu has turned a lot of the nearby landscape to jungle. Clouds darkened over these ruins as a heavy rain was only minutes away. The ruins themselves are easy enough to see from the road if you're looking carefully. However, the signage is primitive and the lonely information plaque provides only an overview. Context is lost here amidst the grey brittle columns that stand upright like giant pieces of used chalk. As I got out of my car, the scene appeared as a Roman ruin. However, getting closer revealed remnants of iron balustrades that hung from and bisected the tree-like columns. It suddenly became easy to assemble the plantation house in my mind. This was an expensive and monstrously large building. I've visited a few plantations over the years and any semblance of beauty is erased from my mind because I can't get past the horrors of slavery that was embedded into the fabric of these places. I pictured the owners standing at these balustrades looking out at the workers of their cotton fields. It doesn't mean I don't think people should avoid a visit to Windsor. On the contrary, I think it's an important placeholder of history and that's where I can't let go of context. I wish more were presented here besides romanticized remnants in a now lush green landscape.

Cool place. But not worth the drive as it is in the middle of nowhere. We were there long enough…read moreto take a couple pictures. Ruins were gated off when we visited.

Wow, what an incredibly well thought out museum dedicated to the efforts of all those who have and…read morecontinue to contribute to efforts of racial justice in Mississippi. During an open morning in Jackson, we stumbled upon the museum and decided to explore and it was easily one of the most memorable parts of our trip. We started by being welcomed into the space. This museum intentionally documents the history of the civil rights museum specifically as it pertains to Mississippi. One of the docents shared that she volunteers at the museum because she remembers what it was like growing up in Mississippi as a white child and has committed her allyship to ensuring others can understand what she witnessed with a deep desire for a better future for Mississippi. It was amazing that there were other guests visiting the museum not just from other states like us, but from other countries as well! The true treat of the visit was stumbling upon the center of the museum, where the youngest freedom rider to every be imprisoned was speaking to a group of high school soccer players from Texas. He shared his story and how his activism started at such a young age. The high school students and myself were in awe of just his bravery and hearing what it was truly like to fight for what's right at such a young age. This museum tells an important story that sadly isn't over as the fight for equity and equality is never over. Yet, it's inspiring to know that there are committed individuals ensuring that in the deep South, these stories are documented and told for all those to honor and understand.

Fortunately, we were able to tag along on a tour by the museum director (Mr. Michael Moore). One…read moreword, "Wow". This was an amazing and uplifting experience to learn the stories of the civil rights movement in Jackson Mississippi. Please allow yourself ample time to take in the materia

At first glance, this is just a grass covered hill. That's what my daughters said when we drove…read moreup, "It's so hot, and it's just a grass covered hill." But there is more here than meets the eye. Emerald mound is a man made hill, created by the Natchez people more than 500 years ago as a ceremonial center. It's the second biggest Native American mound in the country and the biggest in Mississippi. Several panels at the site help visitors envision what it would have looked like at that time and it's quite impressive. The mound is topped by two smaller mounds. Practical tips: You can check on the NPS website to make sure the site is open. We visited on a Friday in July and were the only people there. Plenty of parking and the site is just a short walk uphill. You can walk up the hill, but you aren't supposed to climb the smaller mounds (although a path in the grass showed that many have.) Entrance is free. Like my daughters noted, there is no shade and it can be hot. To find the mound, take the exit off the Natchez Parkway at mile marker 10. Follow Emerald Mound road for 1 mile. Stay straight, do not follow the larger 553 route to the right. We didn't see a sign at the turn off, and our cell reception was spotty, so we drove quite a few miles down 553 before we realized our error.

This is one of those places the experience is truly dependent upon the person. History does not…read morealways present itself with a rush of excitement or a spectacle to behold. Driving up to the Emerald Mound, one might think to themselves, "Look, a hill covered with grass. How quaint," and then wonder why they made the trip. This is where imagination is key to the experience. Imagine this place a thousand years ago. Imagine the indigenous people and their culture and how vastly different it is from today. We are standing in the exact same place they were. Take the time to read about it and then decide if standing on hallowed grounds aren't worth more than just a grassy hill.

This was a very good small museum dedicated to one of the most horrifying events in Natchez…read morehistory. The loss of so many lives in such an horrific fire was devastating. The museum is full of displays and even videotapes of the survivors. The owner does a great job on the tour. He is very passionate about and respectful of the victims and survivors.

Words fail to come to me to effectively communicate how necessary this museum is. The depth of what…read morehappened and the after affects of this disaster are horrendous. The owner is an amazing storyteller and paints a picture that is profound. He was meant for this. I would recommend everyone coming, but be aware that it is eye opening. The 85th anniversary is coming up. April 26, keep your eyes open for this.

Fantastic collection of military artifacts ranging from civil war to Afghanistan. Local vets are…read morerepresented. Such a knowledgeable and personable staff. Works TOTALLY on donations, so be gracious. So glad I found this place!!

I was greeted as I came in by a gentleman that gave me a tour and even helped me with a geocache…read moreafterwards. The amount of history in this museum is incredible. They have all branches of military and memorabilia from every war. After you finish the inside museum then there is kind of another museum outside with several planes and helicopters that you can get right next too. I got there just after 3 and to really take everything in you need more than an hour.

We went here on a Saturday. You enter through the genealogy library. The History Museum is located…read morein the basement. I didn't have high expectations since they don't charge admission. I was very pleasantly surprised. We were greeted immediately by their very helpful and informative staff. This little museum packs a ton of things in their space. We thoroughly enjoyed it and if you are a history buff stop by if you are in the area. It's worth the stop!

This is a hidden gem in this city. I wanted something to pass the time while I waited in motorcycle…read morerepairs. This place is amazing. They actually have a lot of stuff about Louisiana and the area. I was surprised and be it's all free! The staff were very helpful and took the time to walk me through and show me everything and tell me some of the history. It was amazing how much they knew. I know Alexandria doesn't have much going on for it but this museum is worth a day trip. Very happy I made the trip.