Mississippi Natchez National Historical Park map and highlights

Basic information for visitors to the Natchez National  Historical Park In southwestern Mississippi, in Natchez.    

Natchez National Historical Park in southwestern Mississippi, in Natchez.    

One of the greatest collections of significant antebellum  properties in the United States is found in Natchez, Mississippi. This  park celebrates the history of the city, as well as its historic roles  in the settlement of the old Southwest, the Cotton Kingdom, and the  Antebellum South. Here, the 18th-century Fort Rosalie was built by the  French and occupied by the British, Spanish, and Americans. The William  Johnson House was a house owned by William Johnson, a free black man,  whose diary tells the story of everyday life in antebellum Natchez. The  Melrose estate once belonged to John T. McMurran, who rose from being a  middle-class lawyer to a position of wealth and power in antebellum  Natchez. Although Fort Rosalie is closed to the public, Melrose and the  William Johnson House are open for touring. A slavery exhibit is also on  site. The park was authorized on October 7, 1988.    

WHAT TO SEE & DO    

Touring historic buildings. Facilities: Visitor information  center (Melrose), Natchez Visitor Reception Center, hiking trails.  Bookstore. Programs & Events: Guided tours of Melrose (hourly 9-4).  Walking tours of historic district (Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sat. am).  Spring and Fall Pilgrimages (Mar. and Oct.), Natchez Literary  Celebration (1st week, June). Tips & Hints: Plan to spend about two  hours touring the historic homes, grounds, and outbuildings. Pick up a  Discovery Kit at Melrose for in-depth self-guided touring. Busiest  Apr.-Oct., least crowded Jan. and Feb.  

FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES    

Camping: None at site. Near Stanton: Nachez State Park (40  Wick-liff Rd., off U.S. 61, tel. 601/442-2658; 50 sites; $13-$14; flush  toilets, showers, hook-ups).  Hotels: None in park. In Natchez: Monmouth  Plantation (36 Melrose Ave., tel. 601/442-5852 or 800/828-4531; 15  rooms, 15 suites; $195-$215), Natchez Eola Hotel (110 N. Pearl St., tel.  601/445-6000 or 866/445-3652; 132 rooms; $108), Ramada Inn Hilltop (130  John R. Junkin Dr., tel. 601/446-6311 or 800/256-6311; 160 rooms, 6  suites; $86). X Restaurants: None in park. In Natchez: Biscuits &  Blues (315 Main St., tel. 601/446-9922; $6-$9; closed Mon.), Magnolia  Grill (49 Silver St., tel. 601/446-7670; $10-$15). & Groceries &  Gear: None in park. In Natchez: Natchez Market (280 John R. Junkin Dr.,  tel. 601/442-9156), Sports Center (305 Sgt. S. Prentiss Dr., tel.  601/442-4827).    

FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS    

Outbuildings and grounds free. Melrose tour: $6 adults, $3 ages  63 and over, $3 ages 6-17, free ages 5 and under. No flash photography  in mansion. Natchez Visitor Reception Center open Mon.-Sat. 8:30-5, Sun.  9-4. Melrose open daily 8:30-5. The William Johnson House is expected  to open in spring 2004.    

HOW TO GET THERE    

80 mi north of Baton Rouge, LA, via U.S. 61 north; 70 mi south  of Vicksburg via U.S. 61 south; and 100 mi southeast of Jackson via  1-20, the Natchez Trace Pkwy., and U.S. 61 to Melrose Montebello Pkwy.  Closest airport: Baton Rouge (70 mi).    

CONTACTS    

Natchez National Historical Park (640 S. Canal St., Box E,  Natchez, MS 39120, tel. 601/442-7047 headquarters; 601/446-5790 Melrose,  fax 601/442-8845, www.nps.gov/natc). Natchez Convention & Visitors  Bureau (640 S. Canal St., Natchez, MS 39120, tel. 601/446-6345).   

Natchez National Historical Park. Basic information for visitors  to the Natchez National Historical Park In southwestern Mississippi, in  Natchez