The Mississippi River
by VeronicaG
I discovered some fascinating facts about the Mississippi River. I had no idea that one of the rivers that passes by my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa. is one of two tributaries helping to form old Miss--the Ohio River; the other is the Illinois River.
The Mississippi River flows through ten states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. This river, which is the second longest in the United States, runs for a length of over 2,300 miles. Its source is Lake Itasca in Minnesota.
FYI:The name, Mississippi, comes from an Algonquian Indian word meaning "father of waters."
Hernando De Soto and his exploration party were the first Europeans to see this river in 1541.
During the Civil War, control of this river was of the utmost importance, a move wisely taken by the Union Army
Flora
by Helga67
If you have the chance of visiting Natchez around April, than you can enjoy the many azaleas blossoming in the many gardens of the beautiful antebellum houses.
The live oak trees can be admired all year round. These are the most majestical trees in the south of the US.
If You're in the South--it's Pralines!
by VeronicaG
Believe or not, I've only recently been introduced to Pralines...but I am a great fan of these scrumptious treats.
"praline--a confection made of nuts, often almonds, and sugar cooked until carmelized; a cookie size confection originating in New Orleans chiefly made of brown sugar, pecans and butter".
As we toured house to house, this woman seemed to appear out of nowhere. She was duly stationed at several of the homes we visited--after a time I was worn down and decided to try her pralines. Oh my goodness, so glad I didn't resist! These sugary delights were absolutely wonderful and comparable to any we sampled in New Orleans. I brought a box home, which I shared with some friends.
The charge: $10 per box
rosemont
by doug48
located 35 miles south of natchez on US 61 is rosemont the boyhood home of jefferson davis. davis was born in kentucky in 1808 and moved here when he was two years old. his parents samuel and jane davis built this house in 1810. this historic home has period furnishing and relics relating to the early life of the president of the confederacy. tours of rosement can be arranged by calling 601-888-6809. also see the attached web site for more information.
from natchez take US 61 south to woodville miss. rosemont is located one mile east of woodville.
Melrose Plantation
by Stephen-KarenConn
Melrose Plantation, built beginning in 1841, is the most completely preserved plantation we saw on our visit to Natchez. It was one of five plantations once owned by a wealthy attorney and cotton planter, John T. McMurran. Today the house, outbuildings and 80 surrounding acres are owned and operated by the National Park Service as a part of the Natchez National Historic Park.
The grounds still have two original slave houses and other domestic outbuildings such as a well house, privy, barn and carriage house. A very interesting part of the story we heard on our tour at Melrose is that the original owners only lived here during the cooler half of the year, and spent their summers in such places as Newport, Rhode Island; Greenbrier, West Virginia or touring Europe. During their extended absences they left their slaves to take care of the place. Some of the slaves at Melrose were so devoted that even after Emancipation they stayed at Melrose voluntarily as servants.
After the death of Melrose's owner in 1883, the house was left in the care of former slaves, Jane Johnson and Alice Sims. These two women lived in and maintained the house for about 30 years. They protected the property, resisting repeated attempts from would-be looters to remove fine furnishings. Both Sims and Johnson played vital roles in the restoration of the property by new owners George M.D. and Ethel Moore Kelly who bought the house in the early 20th century. Former slave Alice Sims died at age 96, in the 1930's and Jane Johnson at the age of 103, in the 1940s.
Guided tours of the home, offered daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas, give visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the antebellum American South and help them understand the roles that slaves played in an estate setting.
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great sun mound
house on ellicott hill
the carriage house at stanton hall
Mammy..., Mammy..., Mammy's Cupboard
