Historical Homes in Natchez Mississippi - Research Proposal Example

Historical Homes in Natchez Mississippi Order No. 253935 No. of pages: 7 Premium 6530 Proposal Topic – Natchez Mississippi I have chosen Historical Homes in Natchez Mississippi as my research topic. I have chosen this topic because I have always wanted to travel to Mississippi and see what types of experiences and adventures the country has to offer. This country seems to have a lot of historical significance which has kindled my interest still further and I am sure that such a country has something to offer any type of traveler, and I want to figure out if that is really true or if it just a perception. Natchez Mississippi has the ability to attract any traveler to its historical premise by offering them both knowledge and adventure together with a lot of adventure and fun thrown in. Introduction Natchez is one of Mississippi’s oldest cities and was founded in 1716. It is also famous as the southern terminus of the National Trace Parkway, located along the River Mississippi. Due to its strategic location, the city became famous in American history for the role it played in the development of the Old South West. Lorenz, Karl G. (2000). Natchez is the county seat (National Association of Counties. 2008) of and the largest and only incorporated city within Adams County, Mississippi, in the United States. According to a census taken in 2000, Natchez has a population of about 18, 464 people. According to archaeological findings, the original site of Natchez was the chief ceremonial village that was occupied by an Indian tribe since the 8th century. The society of Natchez was segregated according to matrilineal descent into nobles and commoners and their chief was called the “Great Sun.” At Natchez, the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is well preserved as a great National Historic Landmark, and is maintained by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Landmarks in Natchez Mississippi Natchez Mississippi is very famous for some of the most interesting historical landmarks in the world. Our study would also cover this aspect of investigating the different important historical landmarks and make a detailed study of each one of them. Some of these important landmarks include Natchez National Historical Park, Fort Rosalie and many other interesting landmarks. Natchez National Historical Park Natchez National Historical Park celebrates the rich and interesting cultural history of Natchez, Mississippi and gives us an interpretation of the pivotal role that the city exhibited in the settlement of the Old Southwest, the Cotton Kingdom and the Antebellum South. The Park comprised of three different units and Fort Rosalie is the location of an 18th Century fortification built by the French which was later occupied by the British, Spanish and Americans. The William Johnson House was another landmark in Natchez and was a house that was owned by Mr. William Johnson, a free African American businessman, whose diary narrates the story of everyday life in antebellum Natchez. Melrose was an estate of John T. Mc Murran, who was a northerner who promoted himself from being a middle class lawyer to an enviable position of wealth and power in antebellum Natchez. Melrose is the only unit which is currently open to the general public. The Greek Revival main house with its slave quarters houses Gothic Revival book cases and dining chairs that dated back to the 1700s. It also had a punkah made of mahogany and furniture in the parlor was of Rocco Revival. (The National Parks: Index 2001–2003.) Fort Rosalie – (1716 – 1808) Fort Rosalie was built by the French in 1716 as a sign of the peace terms at the end of the Natchez war. Fort Rosalie was the chief French stronghold and trading center in Natchez. This fort also served as the local seat of Government for the French settlements and tobacco plantations in that region. During the 1720’s there was an escalating tension between the people of Natchez and the French which blew out of proportion and culminated into a massive attack on the 28th of November 1729. The French were badly defeated by the Natchez and their settlements were wiped out leaving thousands dead and many taken as captives. Though the Natchez had occupied the fort for quite sometime they were driven out by the French and the fort was left in ruins. In the early 1730’s, the French rebuilt Fort Rosalie once again after capturing and enslaving most of the Natchez. The fort passed into British hands after the Treaty of Paris in 1763 and they named it as Fort Panmure. Today the Fort Rosalie forms part of the Natchez National Historical Park. The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians The Grand Village was the primary ceremonial center of the Natchez Indians where its culture was at its zenith between 700 – to 1730 AD. During the same time, the French too began laying out their settlements in the same area. It was peaceful and cordial at the beginning but became sour as they started disagreeing with each other. Violence erupted in 1716 and once again in 1723. The Natchez attacked the French colonial plantations as well as the military garrison at the Fort Rosalie. Brutal force was exerted by the French people and the Natchez had to flee after abandoning their homeland. Breathtaking Locations Natchez Trace Parkway The Natchez Trace Parkway was in major use during the 1700 – to the 1800. This road is nostalgic in the sense that even today portions of the original road are preserved in addition to a small wayside inn that was used by travelers in the ancient days gone by. Some of the people who made extensive use of the Parkway in ancient times were mound Builders, Natchez, Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians, settlers, soldiers, preachers, and slaves. The Natchez Trace Parkway is 444 miles in length and is an ancient trail that connects the Southern parts of the River Mississippi, through Alabama right down to salt licks in modern day Central Tennessee. This All- American Road has breathtaking scenic beauty that visitors can experience by just driving around the area, biking, hiking, travelling on horse back or even camping as there are three camping grounds and there are no restrictions to camp at these primitive sites. In addition to this there are many cultural events that are celebrated all through the year. Natchez Mississippi’s gift to travelers Natchez Mississippi has a lot to offer any kind of traveler. They have a lot of good hotels such as the Hampton Inn and Suites Natchez, Country Inn and Suites Natchez, the Red Carpet Inn, the Weymouth Hall, the Natchez Eola Hotel, the Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel, Days Inn Natchez and many such luxurious hotels that offer its customers hospitality beyond compare. Besides good food and stay the hotels offer other amenities such as sauna baths, swimming pools, gyms, a complimentary breakfast and tourist car facilities with hotel chauffeurs. Though old times are never forgotten, modern Mississippi has a lot more to offer its travelers by way of an exciting music culture. The Official Mississippi Tourism and Travel Guide offer the right guidance to touring enthusiast by giving them information on the important historical places of interest, museums, historical homes, agritourism, Civil rights sites, an accommodation which suits the pocket of the visitor, the casinos and other attractions in Natchez. For the adventure seekers, other exciting features that they can enjoy in Natchez is the horse and carriage tours through the historic downtown Natchez which is a very interesting 40 minute tours with a guide who narrates about the history and background of the antebellum churches and homes in that place. Museums are another attraction to the traveler who loves to soak in the history of the place where the same place was occupied at various times by the French, British, and Spanish before it became an American territory. The Natchez Visitor Center This is the best place for any traveler to begin their visit to the historic southern city. This center is a huge modern facility that houses a lot of exhibits on Natchez. It also has an information desk for all the National Park Services and a 24 hour transportation service. Restrooms are available round the clock and a 20 minute film on the “Natchez story” is screened from time to time for all the visitors who come there. This film helps to give them a good idea of the historical background of Natchez in addition to all the tourist spots and attractions that are available. The center also arranges any kind of tour that a visitor may choose to have. Conclusion The history of Natchez is not only interesting but quite enjoyable. It is an ideal place for touring and every traveler would find so many interesting things to see and to do because the place offers a wide variety of sight – seeing spots and entertainment. Some of the interesting tours include tours of the antebellum homes, tours to the National Park, city tours using horse- drawn carriages and or a trip by the local bus, tours to pilgrimage centers and also a ghost tour to bring more excitement and fun. References Lorenz, Karl G. (2000). "The Natchez of Southwest Mississippi", in Bonnie G. McEwan (ed.): Indians of the Greater Southeast: Historical Archaeology and Ethnohistory. University Press of Florida. Natchez National Historical Park www.milebymile.com/main/.../Mississippi/national_parks/Natchez.html Mississippi Tourist Board Info www.tripadvisor.in/.../Mississippi:United-States:Tourist.Board.Info.html "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. The National Parks: Index 2001–2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior. Natchez Attractions www.tripadvisor.in/Attractions-g60910-Activities-Natchez_Mississippi.html Natchez www.members.virtualtourist.com/m/4b7c5/c86b2/4 Read More