Natchez
National Historical Park

Natchez National Historical Park celebrates the history of Natchez, Mississippi and interprets the pivotal role the city played in the settlement of the old southwest, the Cotton Kingdom, and the Antebellum South. The park is made up of three units. Fort Rosalie is the location of an 18th Century fortification built by the French and occupied by the British, Spanish and Americans. The William Johnson House was a house and business owned by William Johnson, a free black man, whose diary tells the story of everyday life in antebellum Natchez. Melrose was the estate of the John T. McMurran who rose from being a middle class lawyer to a position of wealth and power in antebellum Natchez. Melrose is the only unit currently open to the public.

VISITATION:
Highest in March and April, and in October during spring and fall Pilgrimages. Lowest in January and July.

LOCATION:
Natchez, MS

ADDRESS:
Natchez NHP
P. O. Box 1208
Natchez, MS 39121

TELEPHONE:
(601) 442-7047, Headquarters
(601) 446-5790, Melrose

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Guided tours hourly, except March and October when they are conducted every half hour.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Sunny with rainy periods throughout the year. Mild winters. Hot, humid summers. Wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes.

DIRECTIONS:
To Melrose: from US 61 turn onto Melrose Montebello Parkway. Melrose is one-half mile on the right.

TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: from I-10 at Baton Rouge follow US 61 north to Natchez. From I-20 at Vicksburg, follow US 61 south to Natchez. From I-20 at Jackson, follow the Natchez Trace Parkway to US 61 to Natchez.
In Park: personal vehicle and bicycle.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Tours of Melrose are currently $6.00 for adults. Children ages 6 through 17, and Golden Age Passport holders pay $3.00 price. Children under 6 are free. Fees subject to change.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Melrose: there is a small visitor information center in one of the outbuildings behind the mansion. Several of the outbuildings are open to the public during park hours. An exhibit on slavery is located in the slave quarters. Temporary exhibits may be available.

Trails, Roads:
There are several walking trails on the grounds of Melrose. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy them. Leaving trails into some of the more wooded areas can be dangerous.

Programs, Activities:
Tours of Melrose are presented hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tour size is limited. Tours or programs of other sites or park themes may be available. Call (601) 442-7047 or (601) 446- 5790 for more information.

Food/supplies:
Natchez has several excellent restaurants. Call the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau for details (601) 446-6345.

Other Concessions/NPS Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Eastern National Parks and Monuments Association operates a bookstore at the Melrose unit of the park.

Accessibility:
The first floor of Melrose and the dependency at the rear of the William Johnson House are accessible.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES, PARK USE:
Tour Melrose, the antebellum estate of John T. McMurran. Tour the grounds and outbuildings of Melrose. If open, visit the William Johnson House to learn of the African American history of Natchez.

For information on archeology, visit SEAC

RESERVATIONS, PERMITS:
Groups, particularly school and other educational groups, should have reservations to tour Melrose. Tour size is limited, so plan ahead! Filming and other commercial photography may require a permit. Weddings and wedding photography require permits and are strictly limited. Fees may be charged for permits.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Plan at least one-and-one-half hours to tour Melrose and the grounds and outbuildings.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Christmas programs, late December. Special interpretive programs, spring and fall Pilgrimage, March and October. Natchez Literary Celebration, first week in June.

VISITOR IMPACTS:
Visitors are asked to walk only in specified areas in the mansion to help protect historic floor coverings. Flash photography is prohibited in the mansion. Tour sizes are strictly limited.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Natchez Pilgrimage Tours offers tours of other antebellum mansions and homes. Some of these historic homes are also bed and breakfast operations. Contact them at (800) 647-6742. Natchez Trace Parkway ends just 13 miles north of the park. Mississippi Department of Archives and History operates the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, just south of Natchez on US 61, and Historic Jefferson College in Washington, Mississippi just north of Natchez. Natchez State Park is accessible from US 61 or the Natchez Trace Parkway.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write Superintendent, Natchez National Historical Park, P. O. Box 1208, Natchez, MS 39121, or call (601) 442-7047 or (601) 446- 5790.

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Last Updated:Thursday, 09-Apr-98 21:05:56
http://www.nps.gov/natc/