Melrose (Natchez, Mississippi) facts for kids
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Melrose
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Melrose in 2006
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| Location | 1 Melrose-Montebello Parkway, Natchez, Mississippi |
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| Area | 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) |
| Built | 1848 |
| Architect | Jacob Byers |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Natchez National Historical Park (ID01000276) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002253 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
Melrose is a beautiful, large mansion in Natchez, Mississippi. It measures about 15,000 square feet (1,394 square meters). People say its design is a perfect example of Greek Revival architecture. This style was popular in the 1800s.
The Melrose estate covers 80 acres (32 hectares) of land. Today, it is part of the Natchez National Historical Park. You can visit Melrose and take guided tours. The house looks just like it did before the American Civil War. In 1974, Melrose was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place.
Contents
The Story of Melrose Mansion
Early Owners and Design
John T. McMurran was a successful lawyer and landowner. He moved to Natchez, Mississippi, around 1824. He became a law partner with John A. Quitman, who later became the Governor of Mississippi.
In 1831, John McMurran married Mary Louisa Turner. Her father was a well-known judge. After a big tornado hit Natchez in 1840, John McMurran decided to build a grand new home. He hired Maryland architect Jacob Byers to design it.
The McMurrans named their new home "Melrose." They chose this name after visiting Melrose Abbey in Scotland. They spent a lot of money to make Melrose special. The windows, doors, and floors were made from the best wood. Melrose is the only building we know for sure that Jacob Byers designed.
Changes After the Civil War
By 1865, John McMurran faced money problems. This was because of the American Civil War. He also had sadness in his family. So, he sold Melrose to Elizabeth Davis. She was the wife of a lawyer and landowner named George Malin Davis.
The Davis family bought Melrose in 1865. Union soldiers had taken over their other home during the war. The Davis family did not live at Melrose very often. It stayed empty for almost 40 years.
A New Generation at Melrose
In 1883, George Davis passed away. His daughter, Julia, also passed away when she was young. This meant her six-year-old son, George Malin Davis Kelly, inherited Melrose. He also inherited other family properties. Young George was sent to New York City to be raised by his grandmother.
During this time, two former enslaved people, Alice Sims and Jane Johnson, took care of Melrose. They helped keep the house safe.
George Kelly married Ethel Moore in 1900. The next year, they moved back to Natchez. They chose Melrose as their main home. They worked to restore the house after it had been closed for so long. They decided not to change the house's original style. Ethel Kelly also brought furniture from another family home to Melrose. The Kellys lived at Melrose until Ethel passed away in 1975.
Preserving History for Everyone
In 1976, John and Betty Callon bought Melrose. They used it as their home and for company events. The Callons were very careful to keep the house and its grounds just as they were. They took many photos and saved samples of materials. This information is very helpful for people who study the house today.
Exploring the Mansion and Grounds
Inside the Grand Home
The first floor of Melrose has a main hallway. Around this hall are several rooms. These include a dining room, a drawing room, a parlor, and a library. There are also storage and service rooms.
The main hallway has a beautiful painted floor cloth. This floor covering is original to the house. In the dining room, you can see a punkah. This is a large fan that hangs from the ceiling. It was used to cool the room.
The doorways inside are decorated with special columns and sunburst designs. The rooms also have fancy plaster designs on the ceilings. Many rooms have solid pocket doors that slide into the walls. The second floor has bedrooms, and many still have their original furniture. Above the house, there is a very large widows walk. This is a platform on the roof.
Buildings Around the Mansion
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The Melrose estate has many other buildings. These include a two-story kitchen and a dairy building. There are also octagonal cistern houses, which collected rainwater. You can also see a smoke house, a privy, and a barn. One of the last remaining buildings where enslaved people lived in Natchez is also on the grounds. There is also a carriage house.
Melrose Today: A Place to Visit
Melrose was one of the best-preserved old estates in the Southern United States. This is because the McMurrans sold their furniture with the house. Later owners did the same. This helped keep the house's history intact.
Because of its importance, the National Park Service bought the estate in 1990. Today, Melrose is part of the Natchez National Historical Park. This park also includes Fort Rosalie and the William Johnson House. Visitors can learn about the history of the area.
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Melrose in 1975
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Melrose dining room
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Melrose portico
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