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Melrose: A Glimpse into Antebellum Grandeur

Experience the grandeur of the Old South at Melrose, a meticulously preserved antebellum mansion and estate within Natchez National Historical Park.

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Melrose is a stunning antebellum estate in Natchez, Mississippi, offering a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the pre-Civil War Southern elite. Built in the Greek Revival style between 1841 and 1845 for John T. McMurran, a wealthy lawyer and planter, the estate includes the main house, outbuildings, and grounds that tell the story of life on a cotton plantation, including the lives of enslaved workers.

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Local tips

  • Reservations are recommended for groups of eight or more and can be made by calling (601) 446-5790 or visiting recreation.gov.
  • Allow at least 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a thorough visit, including a guided tour of the main house and a self-guided tour of the outbuildings and grounds.
  • The Melrose estate is handicap accessible, with accessible pathways throughout the grounds and ramps to enter the mansion and slave cabin.
  • Flash photography, camera tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are prohibited on house tours.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    Melrose is located at 1 Melrose-Montebello Parkway, a short distance from downtown Natchez. From the Natchez Visitor Reception Center on Main Street, head east towards the Mississippi River. Turn left onto Canal Street, then right onto Montebello Parkway. Continue for about a mile; Melrose will be on your left. There is no fee to walk the grounds.

  • Public Transport

    Natchez Transit provides public transportation within the city limits. From downtown Natchez, call Natchez Transit at (601) 445-7568 to schedule a pick-up and drop-off at Melrose. Services operate Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Exact change in cash is required. A one-way trip costs approximately $3.00.

  • Driving

    From downtown Natchez, take Main Street east. Turn left onto Canal Street, then turn right onto Montebello Parkway. Follow Montebello Parkway for approximately one mile. Melrose will be on your left at 1 Melrose-Montebello Parkway. Parking is available on-site. Parking availability may be limited during peak season.

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Melrose stands as one of the best-preserved antebellum estates in the South, a testament to the wealth generated by cotton and slavery in the mid-1800s. Located in Natchez, Mississippi, the 80-acre estate is now part of the Natchez National Historical Park. The main house, a 15,000 square foot Greek Revival mansion, was built for John T. McMurran, a successful lawyer and planter from Pennsylvania. McMurran, seeking opportunity, moved to Natchez in 1824 and built Melrose between 1841 and 1848, naming it after Melrose Abbey in Scotland, a place the family had visited. The estate comprises not only the mansion but also a carriage house, a two-story brick kitchen, a dairy barn, and slave quarters. The grounds feature outbuildings including the two-storied kitchen and dairy buildings, octagonal cistern houses, a smoke house, a privy, one of the last remaining slave quarters in Natchez, a barn, and a carriage house. Inside, the mansion boasts ornate plasterwork, marble mantels, and original furnishings, offering an authentic view of antebellum wealth and culture. Interior doorways are framed by Ionic columns and sunburst-type woodwork above. The rooms also feature plaster ceiling medallions and solid pocket doors. Bedrooms, many with original furnishings, are found on the second floor. Above, Melrose possesses an unusually large widows walk. During the Civil War, the McMurran family faced challenges, and Melrose was temporarily used as a Union Army headquarters and hospital. In 1865, the McMurrans sold the home and its furnishings to George and Elizabeth Davis. The National Park Service purchased Melrose in 1990 and has since maintained the property, preserving its rich history. Today, visitors can tour the mansion and grounds, gaining insight into the lives of the planter class and the enslaved people who worked there.

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