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!

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.

This man owned 21,000 acres before the Civil War kicked off. Let that soak in. 21,000 acres. As I…read morestood there looking at the remnants of this short-lived plantation home, all I could think of was all the people (specifically slaves) that went into making this mansion and expansive plantation possible during a time in which combines, tractors, and modern day resources were years down the pipeline. I really wish the site offered more insight on the human side of the Windsor Ruins story. You'll find yourself winding down the Natchez Parkway and off the beaten trail to find the columns and crumbling framework of Windsor Ruins. Note that there is now a large fence surrounding the entire home for safety and preservation purposes. Unfortunately, each year the columns are crumbling at an astounding rate and with this site being out in the middle of nowhere, it seems that it could be easily forgotten if not preserved soon. Fun perspective: from the top pergola of the home they were able to see the Mississippi River. The railing you see hanging at the top is from the second story balconies. I can only imagine how tall the ceilings were in this home based on the height and grandiose vibes of the remaining columns. Upon arriving, you'll see a small sign and a few spots to park. If you choose to walk around in the brush- be warned of ticks. (Speaking from firsthand experience here)

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.

We were very fortunate to be allowed to tag along a group that was being given a tour/introduction…read moreby the Museum Director, Mr Moore, who was very knowledgeable and gave great highlights to check out. You def need at least a day or so to check out and take in everything. They are closed on Mondays.

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.

I think most people in the United States know about ruins in the southwest. You may have seen…read moreancient pottery and figurines in museums. You've probably heard about the Navajo, Hopi, and other cultures of that region. The Natchez culture is not unfamiliar, either, but do you know about the mounds scattered in the southeast and the larger ancient Mississippian culture? It was new to me not that many years ago as I first saw pottery of this culture in a museum. I have wanted to see more but there doesn't seem to be a lot of pottery remaining from this period. What about the mounds? Well, what are essentially man-made hills aren't as visually compelling as a desert cliff dwelling, right? It explains why so few tourists visit. Emerald Mound is the second-largest mound in the United States and was an important ceremonial center dating from 1250 to 1600. There is some good information posted but this site is crying out for an interpretive center that could really help tell the story of this ancient culture and bring it to life.

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.