Pemberton's Headquarters facts for kids
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Pemberton's Headquarters
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Pemberton's Headquarters in 2008
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1018 or 1020 Crawford Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi |
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| Built | 1836 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000319 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 23, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | December 8, 1976 |
Pemberton's Headquarters is a famous old house in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It's also known as the Willis-Cowan House. Built in 1836, it became the main office for Confederate General John C. Pemberton during the long 47-day Siege of Vicksburg.
This historic house is also where General Pemberton gave up the city to U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863. Today, the National Park Service owns the house. You can visit it as part of the Vicksburg National Military Park. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1976, meaning it's a very important historical place.
Contents
Exploring Pemberton's Headquarters: A Historic Home
Pemberton's Headquarters is on Crawford Street in Vicksburg's downtown area. It's a two-story brick building that sits high above the street. A stone wall and sloped gardens separate it from the road. Stairs lead up to the front of the house.
The house has a large L-shape. The front part is made of brick, and a wooden section was added to the back later. The front part of the house was built in different steps. The first part, built in 1836, had a main hall and two rooms on either side. It also had a porch at the entrance. More brick sections were added around 1850. The very back parts of the house were built around the year 1900.
Who Lived Here? The Willis Family and the Civil War
A man named William Bobb likely built the house. He sold it in 1836 to John Willis, who owned a large farm nearby. John Willis owned the house when the American Civil War began.
When the war reached Vicksburg, Willis's house was one of the biggest in the city. Because of its size, Confederate General John C. Pemberton chose it as his main office. From here, he and his officers planned how to defend Vicksburg. It was also at this house that General Pemberton surrendered the city on July 3, 1863.
A House with Many Owners: From Family Home to Park Site
The Willis family sold the house in 1886. In 1890, Mary Cowan bought it. She was the wife of a Confederate soldier who had passed away. Mary Cowan died in 1914. Her family then sold the house to the Sisters of Mercy. They ran a convent and school across the street.
The house was used by the Sisters of Mercy as part of their school, and they called it "St. Anthony's Hall." They owned it until 1973. After that, it was sold to private owners. The house needed a lot of repairs and got worse over time. In the 1990s, it was fixed up enough to be a bed and breakfast for a few years.
That business didn't last, and the house was empty until 2003. That's when the National Park Service bought it. They made it part of the Vicksburg National Military Park. Most of the park is outside the city. However, this house helps visitors understand what life was like for the Confederate leaders and the people of Vicksburg during the siege.
Images for kids
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Front view of Pemberton's Headquarters.
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Sign outside Pemberton's Headquarters.
See Also
