Cotesworth Culture and Heritage Center, The Delta Travel Guide

Cotesworth Culture and Heritage Center, located in North Carrollton, Mississippi, is a significant landmark showcasing the state's rich history and culture. The centerpiece is Cotesworth, a stunning Greek Revival mansion originally built as an inn in the 1840s. In 1847, it was acquired by James Zachariah (J. Z.) George, a local lawyer who later became a U.S. Senator, and he transformed it into his residence. He named it Cotesworth after his friend, Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Cotesworth Pinckney Smith.Senator George significantly expanded the property, adding a distinctive hexagonal library in the late 1880s to house his extensive collection of law books. This library is one of Mississippi's most unusual structures and possibly the only existing plantation building serving this purpose. The mansion and its grounds remained in the George family for generations. In 2013, Senator George's great-granddaughter, Katharine Saunders Williams, donated the property to establish the Cotesworth Culture and Heritage Center.Today, Cotesworth serves as a vibrant center for cultural and educational activities. It hosts various events, including weddings, parties, and educational gatherings, with programs focusing on agri-tourism, culinary heritage, and performing and visual arts. The center also aims to connect the Mississippi Hills and the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Areas due to its location. Cotesworth has also served as a filming location for movies such as “The Help” and “The Sound and the Fury”.