Nestled along the banks of the curvy Mississippi River and situated high on The Bluff is a piece of preserved United States history that tells a story for generations to come. Natchez, first settled by the French in 1719 – 1729 makes it the oldest city to be established along the Mississippi River! Once considered the second wealthiest city in the U.S. (behind NYC) in the 1800s, Natchez was a retreat for many well-known millionaires. There is no doubt that the history of Mississippi is the history of America. The Magnolia State continues to leave its imprint with playing a pivotal role in the Civil War and later serving as the setting for some of the landmark events in the struggle for Civil Rights. Today, Mississippi is easily regarded as a unique and rich intersection of history, architecture, commerce, culture, and the arts.

The History:

When I first received word that I would be taking a press trip to Natchez, I knew I was in for a history lesson! My first full day was packed with history tours of the city, with each touching different historic events that took place during the founding years of the United States of America.

“Natchez, Mississippi grew up with our nation”, said Mayor, Darryl Grennell. It begins in prehistoric times, when herds of buffalos traced out a route known as the “Natchez Trace.” Native Americans, traders, missionaries, and early pioneers would later travel this same path. History reports that Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians, Scotch and Irish, slaves, and settlers have all called Mississippi home. During the Civil War, the city was spared the destruction due in part to a relatively peaceful surrender to Union troops. With over 1,000 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and more than 75 neoclassical and Greek revival style homes, Natchez is home to more antebellum dwellings than any other American city. What is even better is many of the historic homes are available to tour year round as the privately owned antebellum homes never close.

The People:

Today, Natchez is home to more than 15,000 people from all walks of life. In a smaller city, it’s obvious that everyone will either know each other or of each other. But, what stood out was how the locals not only spoke to each other, but also took the time to ask, “How’s your day?” or “How’s your family?”

While visiting, I had the opportunity to attend the “Sweet 16” Natchez Food and Wine Festival. This event has become one of the most anticipated events in the Natchez, Mississippi area. There I had the chance to mix and mingle with many locals and visitors who traveled from all over whom shared their outlook on “The Bluff City.”

“Natchez, MS has been an international city since it was born. People came from the world to trade and everybody was multicultural then. It was our people that came together and built a beautiful river city and we are still that way,” said Rene’ Adams, co-chair of Natchez Food and Wine Festival.

The Attractions:

By far, the most exciting part of my visit to Natchez was the amazing attractions. All visitors should make a stop at the Natchez Visitors Center. Located high on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, all of the federal, state, and local tourism agencies, including the National Park Service, Mississippi Welcome Center, and Natchez Pilgrimage Tours are all housed under one roof.

A can't miss is a tour of the many antebellum homes. One of the most beautiful sites was the Melrose mansion. Melrose mansion is a part of Natchez National Historical Park. During the tour, I learned that Melrose, like most of the antebellum homes in Natchez, was not a plantation, but rather a town home. Even though slave cabins are situated on the property, most of the plantations owned by wealthy Natchez residents were located across the Mississippi River in Louisiana. Planter John T. McMurran built Melrose in the 1840s, having made his fortune on the backs of over 300 slaves on five plantations totaling almost 10,000 acres.

After touring Melrose, next up was a guided tour by Jeremy Houston of Miss Lou Heritage Group & Tours. Jeremy, like myself, is a millennial whose passion is preserving the rich history of our ancestors. The tour led us down St. Catherine Street, which was known as the “Black Wall Street of Mississippi.”

African-American history in Natchez is older than the state itself. The earliest African-Americans were brought to the area as slaves before statehood in 1817. In the decades prior to the American Civil War, market places, where enslaved Africans were bought and sold, could be found in every town of any size in Mississippi. Natchez was unquestionably the nation’s most active slave trading city with the forks of the road following Alexandria, VA.

Besides the slavery history, there was a strong presence of the Civil Rights movement in the city as well. In 1870, Hiram Revels of Natchez became the first African-American to serve in the United States Senate. He later went on to become the First President of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities known today as Alcorn University. Also, be sure to stop by the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture Museum, housed in the old post office, and discover a wealth of artifacts about African-American heritage in Natchez.

Last, but certainly not lease...be prepare to be scared out of your wits on the Downtown Karla Brown Natchez Ghost Tour! This ghoulish trip tells you all about the history as well as tragedies of the unique Southern town. From the Natchez City Cemetery to the first city jail, this tour is sure to give you goose bumps. The tour guide, Karla is highly recommended and make sure you tell her Reggie with Houston Style Magazine sent you!

On a very personal note:

When you think of Natchez, MS you may not consider there to be much to do or no reason to go, but you’ve got it wrong. I loved everything about this unique city. The good food, timeless history and amazing locals really make this city a great destination to add to anyone’s list of places in the south to visit. I would highly suggest making it a two-to-three day trip if you want to take everything in. There’s no doubt that I will be back for more!

Houston Style Magazine sends our regards to Matt Sessions and Carlyn Topkin of Lou Hammond Group, Kelin Hendricks and Jennifer Combs of Visit Natchez and the Natchez Grand Hotel staff for the amazing hospitality!

For more information, visit visitnatchez.org.