First of all, some might be wondering what Pilgrimage even is. Here is a synopsis from the Natchez Pilgrimage website:
Visitors during Natchez' Spring Pilgrimage can step back into the mid-nineteenth century. The five week festival of pre-Civil War life offers antebellum home tours, gospel shows, light comedy and carriage rides amidst profuse multi-hued azaleas and fragrant trailing wisteria. In the 1840's Natchez claimed more millionaires per capita than any other city in America. The twenty-five late colonial and pre-Civil War townhouses, mansions and plantation homes open for touring during Spring Pilgrimage attest to the fortunes made in nineteenth century Natchez by cotton planters, bankers and other entrepreneurs. The present owners of these homes open their doors to local, national and international visitors for guided tours led by docents dressed in period costume.
Natchez survived the Civil War far better than did many southern towns and boasts more pre-1860 buildings than any other U.S. city of its size, plus thirteen National landmarks and more than 1000 buildings listed on the National Register - all rich in history, with finely crafted furnishings and traditions of genuine southern hospitality.
Today I'm highlighting the Bed and Breakfast where we stayed in Natchez, The Burn. I found this B&B simply by browsing the Pilgrimage website and clicking on the different sites. I liked how small and intimate The Burn looked (it only has 5 rooms), but I was also impressed by the professional website.
I believe the Inn was completely booked at the time we were there, and when I reserved my room online, I had two choices. I chose the Douglas Room, and it was BEAUTIFUL!
The Burn was constructed in 1834 by John Walworth. The Walworths lived in the home for three generations. The current and 8th owners are Glenn and Bridget Green (they also currently reside there). They gave us our tour of the home! The Burn gets its name from the brook that ran through the property originally. Walworth was of Scottish descent and the Scottish word for brook is "burn." From the front it only looks like a one and a half story home, but from the back you can see that it's three full stories.
John Walworth was from New York but came down to Natchez in the 1790's. He was a letter carrier, but then opened a mercantile. He eventually acquired three plantations, was a bank president, and was mayor of Natchez.
Even though he was from the North, both of his sons served in the Civil War fighting for the Confederacy. In 1863, after the fall of Vicksburg, Natchez was occupied by Union troops. The Walworth family was given 24 hours to vacate their home. The Union army took the Burn and used it for a hospital and headquarters.
Here's the view from right outside our room:
And here's where we had breakfast in the morning. Since the Inn is so small, we were able to meet and talk with everyone. At our table, there were three other couples: another young couple from Mississippi, and then a couple from Indiana and a couple from Manhattan, New York! Isn't that crazy!? We had a wonderful discussion during breakfast at our table. We all asked each other questions. They were very curious about things in this part of the country. They were just the sweetest, most kind people. Bonita from New York even gave me her email address for when Kurt and I visit in the fall! That's why I love Bed and Breakfasts; I doubt that would've happened at Chain Hotel USA!
One evening Kurt and I went walking on our street. Here I am with The Burn in the background:
Across the street we came upon the most quaint, beautiful Victorian home I've ever seen. Candles were in every window, and I literally wanted to go knock on the door and see the beautiful people that must live there.
Then, I saw a sign: it's a Bed and Breakfast! It's the Devereaux Shields House, circa 1893. Here's their website.
Isn't it quaint?! I do think we made an excellent choice in The Burn, though. The rooms are perfection: classy, elegant, and simple. I don't like flashy, "trying-too-hard" decor in Bed and Breakfasts. The Burn felt extremely authentic. And the rates were VERY reasonable, even during Pilgrimage!Bed and Breakfasts feel very Southern to me, and that's something I really do love. For a moment, you feel like you're really living in this home, and you take a step back in time. It's simple, elegant, and time seems to stop. You're served a Southern breakfast (even though I always pass up the grits), while you talk to fellow guests. You connect with history and with people. I think that's a perfect way to travel!
