Natchez: Part I – The Magic

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I love to go exploring! My mom loved to head out on a trip and, as she said, “go where my nose takes me.” About a year ago, I visited Natchez for the first time with a group of girlfriends. It was during the fall Pilgrimage. I LOVED it!
We stayed at a VBRO rental home in the country named Oakwood. It was as magical as one could imagine.  It had been in the same family since it was built.
Recently, Mike and I went to Natchez for his birthday. We stayed at the Historic Monmouth Inn, named for the original owner’s hometown. It was lovely.

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Set in a beautiful park setting, Monmouth offers some of the friendliest staff anywhere. It also boasts a bartender named Roosevelt that makes the best mint juleps in the country, as stated in many magazines.

The Restaurant 1818 offers great food (more on that in another post) in a beautiful setting, which is the original men’s and women’s parlors of the house. Everything I ate while there was tasty, but in particular, I must mention the divine grits. I don’t care for grits, but after eating these I have a new love.

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The grounds are 26 acres and include a folly, chef’s garden, courtyard, pergola, gazebo, two lakes, gift shop, and cemetery. Several out buildings hold overnight rooms and there are rooms in the main house. I was lucky enough to stay in the Eliza Suite, which has an ornate canopied bed, setting room, two fireplaces, and a his and her bath.

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As a guest, you are treated to a complimentary tour of the house. Your guide (our guide was Delta) will tell the history of the house as well as some of the unique tales of its past inhabitants. One highlight is the Zuber wallpaper in the main entry hall of the house. This is very rare and expensive French wallpaper that graces places like the White House.
Our new friend, Hal was everywhere. He was the bellman, concierge, and angel on your shoulder. Ivering checked us in, George is a nighttime waiter, Gabriel is the morning waiter and Roosevelt will greet you in the lounge and get a cocktail of your choice. Everyone of these folks had a smile as wide as the Mississippi River. You have to go to this place and meet these amazing people. It is obvious they enjoy their jobs by the way the treat you. The fact that they have worked there for years, sometimes up to 28, shows the appreciation they have for Monmouth. They are a part of the history of this wonderful home.​
I hope you enjoy the photos. And, I hope you will explore Natchez. It has 300 years of history to share with you. There is something for everyone.

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