Nov 13 (Thursday) 2008 Natchez
The weather was improving, cloudy, some sunny periods and warm. We all drove about 30 miles to Natchez; the scenery is-farms and run down houses mostly. Natchez has lots of antebellum homes and I really enjoyed driving around and looking at them. Some were quite run down but lots were in good condition. I did a tour of one called Melrose Place while the others waited in the car (they did not want to see the house). Ches has lost so much weight he lost his wedding ring so we went back to the restaurant and then Melrose, fortunately there was hardly anyone there and he found it in the bathroom trash can.
The weather was improving, cloudy, some sunny periods and warm. We all drove about 30 miles to Natchez; the scenery is-farms and run down houses mostly. Natchez has lots of antebellum homes and I really enjoyed driving around and looking at them. Some were quite run down but lots were in good condition. I did a tour of one called Melrose Place while the others waited in the car (they did not want to see the house). Ches has lost so much weight he lost his wedding ring so we went back to the restaurant and then Melrose, fortunately there was hardly anyone there and he found it in the bathroom trash can.
Large fan used for air conditioning, and worked by slaves (usually children) pulling a rope
Melrose Place
The McMurran family bought 133 acres of land and over 8 years built the mansion, which was finished in 1849. They lived there until 1865. The Davis family then purchased Melrose and they and their decedents lived there for 110 years. The family bought the house furnished and maintained it well, and then sold it furnished to Callon’s who lived there until 1990 when it was sold to the National Park Service. Because it was sold furnished and only 3 families owned it there are most of the original furnishings and lots of documented history.
There are still lots of land so it is impressive to look at the house surrounded by green lawn and a pond with cypress growing in it. There are most of the original out building, slave cabins, barn, carriage house, laundry, and kitchen.
This was never a working plantation and had only about 25 slaves
Melrose Place
The McMurran family bought 133 acres of land and over 8 years built the mansion, which was finished in 1849. They lived there until 1865. The Davis family then purchased Melrose and they and their decedents lived there for 110 years. The family bought the house furnished and maintained it well, and then sold it furnished to Callon’s who lived there until 1990 when it was sold to the National Park Service. Because it was sold furnished and only 3 families owned it there are most of the original furnishings and lots of documented history.
There are still lots of land so it is impressive to look at the house surrounded by green lawn and a pond with cypress growing in it. There are most of the original out building, slave cabins, barn, carriage house, laundry, and kitchen.
Slave cabins
This was never a working plantation and had only about 25 slaves
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