Preserving the Walls of History
As a state that has been so heavily involved in the development of our country, Mississippi has built an impressive collection of historic homes. From the numerous Natchez antebellum homes, to the home of a Nobel Prize winner and other great Americans, Mississippi’s historic homes are sure to be places of discovery for anyone who finds them.
Once the wealthiest town in America, Natchez has stood the test of time and preserved a great deal of its pre-Civil War history. The caretakers of these magnificent antebellum homes have done a marvelous job of retaining their natural and historic grandeur.
"Beauvoir," meaning "beautiful view," was the name given to the mid-19th century house overlooking the Mississippi Sound which would later become the last home of Jefferson Davis. He moved into the house in 1877. It would remain his place of refuge, reflection and writing until his death in 1889. Beauvoir miraculously survived the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Following an extensive renovation, it welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world, be they history buffs, architectural connoisseurs or casual tourists.
A small house in Tupelo, unassuming in its austerity, was once the home of a king. Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo and considered himself a Mississippian for his entire life. The home of his birth has been restored and should be a prime stop on any historic homes tour.
William Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. His home, Rowan Oak, is a large but simple house situated deep in the trees off the beaten path in Oxford. Faulkner did his writing at home, so those walls were privy to many of his most wonderful manuscripts.
The preservation of these and other historic homes—and the memories they contain—is certainly a sight to see. Add these places and others to your list and discover why our rich history is your history, too.