melrose

llittle

when I'm in natchez I go to Melrose and or longwood. this trip was Melrose and in my opinion you can't pick a better place to see beautiful gardens, grounds[82 acres] and buildings. normally I use my golden age pass to get in free, but for presidents day the tours were all free. the tour guide, a lady who had lived in texas, was the best guide I have ever had. she knew the history of the families and presented it as only someone that cares about what she is doing can. sorry I have forgotten her name, but 9 days of tours and guides has taken it's toll. anyway I don't think you will be sorry if you visit Melrose. there is a portion of a cypress swamp left on the plantation.

raybyerley

We had already had a long day of sightseeing in Natchez, but decided to run out to Melrose before the last tour on 2/15.This place is operated by the US Park Service and well done. The day we went, the Mansion tour was free for either President's Day, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, or all 3.Normally the grounds and buildings outside the main home are free to walk around.The park ranger who led the tour was very good and knowledgable about the place.This is well worth the short drive out of downtown Natchez.

storkonwheels

It is free to enter the grounds and tour the slave quarters at Melrose. There is a charge to tour the mansion, with a discount for seniors. We spent a few hours at this lovely place which is well-preserved and well-run by the National Park Service. There are many mansions in Natchez and if you decide to tour one, this is a good choice.

AlexanderD848

Guides had excellent knowledge of the rooms, furniture, historical context, and historical figures. Best plantation we toured in Natchez.

NWRob

This home is part of our National Park Service and what a good use of our tax dollars. This place is in excellent repair, evidence of the govenment's commitment to preserving this treasures. This place is, of course, elegant and lovely, but what really sets it apart is the preserved slave quarters and otrher outbuildings. Most of the furniture is original to the house. The young man who conducted our tour is a college student and so enthusiastic about the history of this place that it was infectious. I believe his name was C.J. The tour was about 1/2 hour in length. This is the one house that has a senior citizen discount. Tickets are only $5:00 for those over 65.

PhilipH473

My wife and I visited Melrose having chosen it from a long list of possible sites in Natchez and we chose well. The building and grounds are absolutely amazing and the fact that the vast majority of the artefacts (furniture etc) are original puts this antebellum home in a unique class. Our tour guide Ranger Don was first class with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all aspects of the mansion and it's surroundings. You simply should not miss an opportunity to visit Melrose!

180kathyh

Fabulous treasure. We can't figure out who, in the Nat'l Park Service, is behind the generous funding for this historic site, but they are putting serious money into lovingly restoring and maintaining the house and grounds. House has a great story and you will learn a lot about these cotton kings and what happened to them and their fortunes during the Civil War. All original furnishings, well worth the time and entrance fee.

carolhP2780DU

Since Melrose is now owned by the National Park Service, my husband and I were a little skeptical about visiting. Our tour guide was a park ranger who was very knowledgeable. The home is beautiful and worth the time to tour. Renovations were taking place but there was still plenty to see.

CazCoach

Wonderful tour with knowledgable, interesting staff. Picnic tables for picnics. Well-maintained. Very informative.

R___D169

Barney, the Park Ranger from Natchez leading the tour, knows the history of the house, the furniture and decorations and the history of Natchez. There is no admission fee for touring the grounds, but admission to the house and tour costs $11, standard for Natchez mansions. Almost all of the furnishings are original to the house. (At other plantations the furnishings include period pieces similar to the original house furnishings) The facade of the house is undistinguished Greek revival, but the interior of the house is fabulous. This was a town house built by an attorney from Pennsylvania who married well. The family owned plantations in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. There are out buildings including slave quarters a short distance from the mansion.

Flyingdancer

Melrose as our third house tour so we were getting a little mansioned-out. So glad we did this one. Our guide was funny and knowledgeable. Even better we could take photos inside and didn't feel we were being rushed.Unlike the other trips we felt like private visitors rather than being just another body in the crowds of tourists being shepherded about.It wasn't a working plantation, but if you only do one house, then this is recommended.

garehotep

Run by the National Parks Service. Good informative tour. A lot of original furniture in the house. One of the few locations that gives any thought to the slaves who provided the wealth. There are some rather idealised slave quarters near the main house. There is some good information about slavery in these quarters.

Stella129

This plantation is maintained by the National Park Service. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the families who had lived there. She incorporated stories from letters and people who had known the families to really bring them to life. This is a very well preserved site with a lot of the furniture, books, china, etc. being being original to the first and second owners.

Katty429

Great tour! The park ranger was awesome! He was so knowledgeable of the home, grounds and the area. He was so welcoming to all of the guests on the tour and made a point to include information that would be of interest to each person on the tour.

RandiFayeC

Rather than a hoop skirted Garden Club volunteer, our tour was given by a park ranger. He knew all the details of the house, property, and history. He held our attention and we felt enriched after visiting the property. The exterior is under renovation but this did not detract from the tour as there was much to see and learn. The entry fee here is minimal to boot.Allow time to see the outer buildings and property. The "formal" gardens were not that organized but there are beautiful trees.