Plantation homes in Natchez, MS

A day can't go wrong when it starts off with a breakfast of the most delicious French Toast I've ever eaten. Luckily, they willingly gave us the recipe so we shall see if either of us can be successful in preparing it. Gosh I hope so because my stomach is growling just thinking about it.

After breakfast, Val gave us a very colorful tour of her lovely home. I'll just say that she gave us the perfect example of what it means to be a Southern Belle. One of the most fascinating details about the house, Pleasant Hill, built in 1835, is that it's not currently sitting on its original location but was moved one block south on log rollers by an oxen team in the 1850s. It's such a quaint little home full of beautiful antiques - it would be very easy for me to just move right in.

Pleasant Hill B&B

Rachel, Gloria & Lucy 

We packed up and headed to our first plantation home tour at Rosalie. It was built between 1820-1823 by Peter Little and his wife Eliza and named after the French fort that was built on the land in 1716. In 1857, the house was purchased by Andrew and Eliza Wilson. During the Civil War (excuse me, the War of Northern Aggression), the Union Army took over Rosalie as their headquarters. Knowing the nature of his soldiers and that the Wilson's would live in the house again after the war, General Gresham allowed Mrs. Wilson's exquisite furniture to be packed up and locked up in the attic for safe keeping. The furniture seen in the house today all belonged to Mrs. Wilson. Rosalie stayed in the Wilson family until 1938 when the Daughters of the Republic purchased the house under the condition that the 2 remaining descendants could continue to live in the house. The 2 women gave tours of the house, hoop skirts and all, until their deaths.

Rosalie

1820 - 1823

Longwood mansion was our next stop. It is the largest octagonal house in the United States, built by cotton baron Haller Nutt and his wife Julia. The original design included 32 rooms on a total of 6 floors. Work on the house began circa 1859 but the war reached Natchez and work on the house halted. Only the basement floor with 9 rooms had been completed at that point. Nutt died of pneumonia in 1864, never completing construction of his home. His family lived in the quarters until Julia's death in 1897. The Pilgrimage Garden Club maintains the home in its unfinished state. Despite being incomplete, the house is a fascinating piece of architecture. I can't imagine how grand it would be had construction been completed.

Longwood

1859

Longwood Porch: Rachel, Jack, Gloria & Lucy

Jack and Gloria treated us to another tasty meal at the Castle Pub. I'm really liking all this Southern food. Rachel, of course, finds the healthy choices and I say bring on the fried food! I'll eat it while I can! 

We then headed to Vicksburg National Military Park but couldn't say for long. I have a feeling I'm going to have some issues with the closing times at many of the parks we visit. We'll head back tomorrow to tour the park. 

Tomorrow, Jack and Gloria have a very special surprise planned for us... Can't wait to share it with y'all.