Auburn (Natchez, Mississippi) facts for kids
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Auburn
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Auburn mansion in April 2011
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | Duncan Park, Natchez, Mississippi |
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| Area | 4.2 acres (1.7 ha) |
| Built | 1812 |
| Architect | Levi Weeks |
| Architectural style | Federal style |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001047 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
Auburn is a beautiful old house called a mansion. It's located in Duncan Park in Natchez, Mississippi. A talented architect named Levi Weeks designed and built it in 1812. Auburn was very important because it showed off a new style of building called "Classical architecture" in Mississippi. Its large front porch, called a portico, became a model for many other grand homes. Because of its history and beauty, Auburn was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974. It also became a Mississippi Landmark in 1984.
Contents
What Does Auburn Look Like?
Auburn is a two-story building made of brick. It has a main part in the middle and two matching sections on the sides. The front of the house has a grand entrance with four tall columns. These columns support a triangular roof section called a gable.
The gable has fancy decorations and an oval window in the middle. The main door is shaped like a rounded arch. It has narrow windows on the sides and a window above it. Above the main entrance, there's a balcony on the second floor. You can reach this balcony through a special three-part window. This was one of the first windows of its kind in the city.
The Story of Auburn
Building a Grand Home
In 1811, a man named Lyman Harding wanted a magnificent house. He was the first Attorney General for Mississippi. This means he was the state's top lawyer. Harding hired a young architect named Levi Weeks to design and build Auburn.
The first part of the house was about 60 feet long and 45 feet wide. It had a two-story front porch with four columns. Inside, there was a unique spiral staircase that seemed to float between floors. Levi Weeks wanted Auburn to be "the most magnificent building in the state."
Changes Over Time
Lyman Harding passed away in 1820. After his death, a doctor named Stephen Duncan bought the house. Dr. Duncan made the house even bigger. He added two matching sections to the sides, which created much more space inside.
Later, before the American Civil War, Dr. Duncan left the house. This was because of growing tensions about states leaving the United States. His family members then took care of the house.
Auburn Becomes a Park
In 1911, the Duncan family gave Auburn and about 203 acres of land to the city of Natchez. Today, it is a historic house museum inside a public park. The family also donated their furniture. However, the city sadly sold the furniture soon after. The land around the house was turned into Duncan Park for everyone to enjoy.
Images for kids
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Auburn mansion in 1936
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See also
