Spring Pilgrimage

[HostDave]

By Timothy Rubacky, Senior Vice President

I love tradition. There is something reassuring about an event, a gathering or an act that has been repeated for so long it has become not just part of the fabric of society but part of the fabric of who we are. And one of the things I love most about living in the South are the many traditions. One of our favorites is Natchez’s annual Spring Pilgrimage. It has become so popular and so beloved that we devote five voyages in 2013 that allow our guests to experience this revered Southern tradition on our Southern Culture & Spring Pilgrimage journeys.

The Pilgrimage Open House tradition began in the 1940s, when members of the garden clubs in Natchez began hosting tours of their gardens in the spring. Later, they also opened their lovely homes and Pilgrimage became such a popular idea that it quickly spread throughout the Mississippi Delta. Fascinating speakers, lively entertainment and informative demonstrations will enhance your understanding of our antebellum legacy.

You can also immerse yourself in the literature, music and culture of the South, as well as its traditions, history and cooking. You’ll be carried deep into the worlds of William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, Tennessee Williams and Harper Lee. You’ll visit the towns that inspired literary and musical greatness. Along the way, you’ll experience the sounds of the Delta blues and sample plenty of Southern cooking.

In Natchez, 29 antebellum mansions open their doors to visitors. Most of the homes are actually private residences. During the Pilgrimage every spring, the guides that take visitors through these impressive homes are often the actual descendents and family friends of those who originally owned each residence. As the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage describes it, the stories “are as real as the bricks and mortar in their hearths. Each house is unique with 18th and 19th century furnishings, porcelain, silver, clothing, tools, documents and diaries.”

Home openings vary by date so each voyage of the American Queen is unique, featuring different residences than the trips before and after. Visit the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage website for details. Some of the highlights include:

Magnolia Hall – Built in 1858, this is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture, the last great mansion built in Natchez prior to the Civil War, and features the Pilgrimage Costume Museum.

Airlie – Dating to 1790 when the Spanish still occupied the area, the house was used as a Federal hospital during the Civil War.

Richmond – Constructed in three stages in 1784, 1832 and 1860, this magnificent home represents the French Plantation, Colonial and Greek Revival periods of Natchez’s impressive architectural history.

Twin Oaks – The home of the American Queen Steamboat Company’s Chef de Cuisine, Regina Charboneau, was called the White Cottage when it welcomed its first family in 1832 and features a chapel with stunning Tiffany windows.

Linden – This was once the home of the first elected U.S. Senator from Mississippi, Thomas B. Reed, and now, 212 years since its completion in 1800, is one of the city’s best examples of Federal period style.

The Burn – Dating to 1832, this home built by John Walworth is noted for its extensive gardens and its role as the headquarters of Federal F. McPherson during the Civil War.

Hope Farm – One of the oldest homes on the tour, Hope Farm was built in stages between 1775 and 1789 and served as the residence of one of the area’s Spanish governors.

Auburn – A National Historic Landmark, this home was occupied by Mississippi’s first attorney general in 1812, and is now famous for its impressive free-standing spiral staircase.

Landsdowne – Tucked away on 100 acres of lush property, the house is still occupied by descendants of George M. Marshall, who commissioned its construction in 1853.

Each home is unique and is the epitome of a Southern-style residence with classic architecture, a rich history, grand gardens, towering trees and a hospitality that draw you through the front door. Friendly folks are also a tradition here in the South!