The Oaks House Museum, Jackson Travel Guide

Step back in time at The Oaks House Museum, a beautifully preserved historic home located in the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson, Mississippi. Built circa 1853, this Greek Revival-style house was the home of James H. Boyd, a four-time mayor of Jackson, and his family. The Oaks offers a glimpse into 19th-century Southern life, showcasing the architecture, furnishings, and stories of a prominent family.The house itself is a modest, yet elegant, structure featuring a central hall and four rooms. It is one of the few buildings in Jackson to survive the burning of the city during the Civil War. Some believe it was spared due to Boyd's status as an alderman or possibly because General Sherman, who was also a Mason, respected the fraternal bond. For over a century, three generations of the Boyd family resided at The Oaks, from 1853 until 1960. The house is furnished with original and period pieces, offering visitors a sense of the domestic life of the time. The surrounding Victorian gardens feature camellias, roses, fruit trees, and heirloom plant varieties.Today, The Oaks House Museum is owned by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Mississippi (NSCDA-MS) and managed by the Oaks House Museum Corporation. Knowledgeable guides lead tours of the house, sharing stories of the Boyd family and providing historical context. The museum also hosts various events and educational programs throughout the year.