Longwood (Natchez, Mississippi) facts for kids
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Longwood
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | 140 Lower Woodville Road, Natchez, Mississippi |
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| Built | 1859-ca. 1864 |
| Architect | Samuel Sloan |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode, Italian Villa |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000079 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 16, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | December 16, 1969 |
Longwood, also known as Nutt's Folly, is a famous old mansion in Natchez, Mississippi. It was built before the American Civil War. This unique house has eight sides, making it an octagonal mansion. It is the largest octagonal house in the entire United States. Longwood was partly built by enslaved people. Today, it is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.
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About the Longwood Mansion
Longwood is well-known for its special design. It has an eight-sided shape and a byzantine onion-shaped roof. The first floor of the house was beautifully finished with fancy decorations. However, the upper floors were never completed. This creates a striking contrast between the finished and unfinished parts.
Who Designed Longwood?
Samuel Sloan, an architect from Philadelphia, designed Longwood. He started planning the house in 1859 for a rich cotton planter named Haller Nutt.
Building Stops During the Civil War
Work on the mansion stopped in 1861. This was when the American Civil War began. Haller Nutt passed away in 1864, and the house was still unfinished. Out of the 32 rooms planned, only nine rooms on the basement floor were ever completed.
Longwood's Legacy Today
Longwood was one of the last grand homes built in the Southern United States before the war. The war and the end of slavery changed the wealth of cotton planters. For many years, Longwood was neglected. But it survived and is now one of Natchez's most popular attractions.
Today, the Pilgrimage Garden Club owns and manages Longwood. It operates as a historic house museum. Visitors can explore the mansion and learn about its history. The house is also available to rent for special events.
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