Magnolia Hall was the last great mansion to be completed in Natchez before the outbreak of the Civil War, and was damaged during that conflict by the Union gunboat Essex. Photo courtesy - Natchez Garden Club.

In the spring of 1931 an energetic and young Natchez Garden Club hosted the annual convention of the Mississippi Federation of Garden Clubs. One of the many activities scheduled was a tour of the old fashioned gardens that landscaped the antebellum homes. However a late freeze dampened considerably the beauty of the gardens therefore it was suggested that maybe they would enjoy going inside some of the homes.

What the ladies saw inside of these homes was literally breathtaking. They had suddenly stepped back into history as they were surrounded by wallpaper, carpets and draperies that had been there since the homes were built in the early to mid 1800's. Furnishings that had come from Europe and from the most skilled furniture makers in America were worn but still in place.

Memorabilia and ephemera were scattered about each with a fascinating story.....” Oh yes, those are letters from Jefferson Davis to my great-great grandfather ...and ....this sword was picked up at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 by an Englishman who later gave it to his grandson who had joined the Confederate Army and on his death bed gave it to my great-great uncle.....Oh the bullet hole in the scabbard?....why that’s where uncle’s horse was shot and killed out from under him.” ......and on and on from house to house. They didn’t seem to mind that in many cases the wallpaper was torn and the carpet worn “clean through “. And clearly the homeowners realized that they enjoyed telling their stories as much as the visitors enjoyed hearing them.

The Natchez Garden Club made plans to have a Pilgrimage week the following year in 1932 in which they would go into their trunks in the attic and dig out their mother’s and grandmother’s old dresses with their caged crinoline hoopskirts and receive “pilgrims” into their homes dressed in period clothes.....at a price ! Even though the country was in the depths of a Depression that first Pilgrimage was a great success.....and the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage was born.  Except for three years during WW II the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage has been a tremendous economic success not only for Natchez but for the whole state of Mississippi as it continues to be the longest running Pilgrimage in America where visitors are received into antebellum homes by the owners in period dress.

The energetic ladies didn’t forget that their guest might want to have some evening entertainment as well and thus starting in 1932 also the Historic Natchez Pageant which has been performed annually. This is a colorful, lively musical production put on entirely by local talent in which the audience is transported back to the 1800's. Dressed in period costumes the performers, who range in age from toddler to well beyond toddler, tell the story of Natchez in different tableaus.

Other evening events include the Southern Road to Freedom which is a stirring musical tribute by the Holy Family Gospel choir, to the struggle and victory of the African - American experience in Natchez. Southern Exposure is a satirical comedy on the Pilgrimage. Songs of the South are a mixture of Stephen Foster, traditional spirituals, and showboat tunes by the Natchez Music Festival.

The Spring Pilgrimage has been so successful that in 1977 the Fall Pilgrimage was started. It runs for two weeks September 30 - October 14 in 2006.  The Fall Pilgrimage has the addition of having some homes on tour that are not on tour during the Spring Pilgrimage.

The grandest octagonal house in America. Superb example of mid-19th century Oriental style. Designed for Haller and Julia Nutt, it retains original furnishings. Finial atop dome was reconstructed in 1993 by the Pilgrimage Garden Club. National Historic Landmark.

The next Spring Pilgrimage will be March 10 - April 14, 2007 and will represent the 75^th Anniversary of Pilgrimage. During the Spring there are 28 antebellum homes that can be toured. One is owned by the City of Natchez - AUBURN, one is owned by the Mississippi DAR - ROSALIE, two are owned by the Natchez Garden Club - MAGNOLIA HALL and ELLICOTT’S HILL and two are owned by the Pilgrimage Garden Club - STANTON HALL and LONGWOOD. The rest of the antebellum homes are privately owned and some have been in the same families for over 150 years and that is what makes this Pilgrimage so unique!

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours is the only full service receptive tour operator in Natchez and is owned by the Pilgrimage Garden Club but has members of the Natchez Garden Club that sit on its board. Natchez Pilgrimage Tours can arrange all of your needs to make your stay in Natchez pleasant and educational whether you are an individual, small or large group.

If you are looking for a place to get off  the treadmill of life....Natchez knows how to slow your pace ....rest your eyes ....and reintroduce you to one of the most diverse historical spots on earth....that has been influenced by Native Americans, Africans, African - Americans and Europeans. In Natchez ...if it has not been preserved, it’s been restored and if it hasn’t been restored ....its being considered for restoration!

Come to Natchez where you can SEE.....HEAR......and ....LIVE......history!