Breakfast at the Eola

 

 If breakfast is the most important meal of the day then where one breaks one's fast would be equally important. I could think of no place better in Natchez or maybe anywhere else, to break fast than the dining room on the Eola.
The dining room is located through an entry way of gorgeous furniture, paintings, statues and other great period pieces including soldier vases that are taller than I am.
I love to stay at the Eola and we almost did. Baby Sister, however, decided that to stay at one of the antebellum homes was preferrable. I didn't argue. After all, this trip was pretty much hers to plan. I get my turn next trip.
I did strongly suggest we eat breakfast our first morning in Natchez at the Eola. The coffee, the grits, the setting, were all just as wonderful in deed as they have remained in my memory.
We sat where we could see the fountain in the courtyard just outside.
It was a great start to a really good day.


 

our room at monmouth

 

I blogged earlier that the Baby Sister was determined that this trip would be as perfect as possible. The bar is set pretty high. Last year, the middle sister planned our tour of Rome and Venice with such care that we saw every major item on virtually any bucket list with regard to those two cities. How she fit in so much in so short a time is pretty impressive.
Not to be outdone, the youngest among us had to, likewise, fit in as many activities and tours into the Sisters' Trip 2013 as was possible.
She was especially determined that our accomodations would be outstanding. And outstanding they were.
We stayed in a guest cottage just off the main house at Monmouth, a place the book 1,001 places to see before you die calls one of the best of the best.
Our digs were near the elegant dining area, through the gardens and flowing paths from the main house just far enough to create quiet and solitude but close enough to be convenient to whatever we might need or want.
We meandered through the gorgeous grounds on our way to dinner in the elegant restaurant 1818, located in the parlor of the "big house."
Breakfast the next morning was literally a stones throw away. The food at both meals was wonderful...just like the accomodations!
 

wakefield

 

Wakefield is a private home in St. Francisville, Louisiana.  It has a pictureque setting. A unique history.
It was built by the Stirlins,  close relatives of Daniel Turnbull, who built Rosedown.
The story goes that its builder bequeathed a portion of the original house to each of the hiers.
Literally, each took their inheritance, a level of the house each so that the house remaining is substantially smaller than the original.
Still, it is a substantial place. And so say that its contents are substantial is no apt description.
Miss Mimi of Selma encouraged us, as we were leaving her home, to see "the Stirling House" as she called Wakefield because of its amazing Duncan Phyfe Furniture. The furniture, ordered for the house when it was built, remains intact because the part of the original house that remains on its original site was kept by members of the Stirling family and then by subsequent owners who cared to maintain in pristine condition.
My nephew and favorite decorator had been to a Symposium at Wakefield fairly recently. I've not known him necessaily to be shy about such things but he did not say a word about any of that until he until Jolie Berry, who now owns Wakefield with her husband, called him by name.
He shrugged off conversation about pictures and a book but did answer our questions about the house and its priceless antiques. It was like having our own private tour guide.

 

longwood

 

Longwood, the "Oriental Villa" begun in 1859 for Haller Nutt and his wife Julia is nothing if not impressive. Even in its unfinished state, it captures the imagination.
The concept design intended to capture light and reflect it throughout each floor from the observatory and the solarium to the basement is pretty amazing for its time.

The plans for the house are on display in the upper hall. The marble was never installed on the floors nor were the alcoves ever stuccoed. There is no crown or dentil moulding.
Atop nail kegs in the adjacent rooms, carpenters tools lay rusting when they were dropped when those who held them were called to war.
Only the basement, that was to act as storage during the construction was complete enough for the family to occupy. They hunkered down there and waited the end of the war and the completion of their beautiful home. The completion never happened.
Visitors always ask why not, Harry, our guide told us. We want to see Haller Nutt's dream realized and the beautiful octagonal villa finished.
Many of the beautiful furnishings never arrived due to blockades and delays in shipments due to the war. Some did, though, their crates still bearing the inscriptions "Julia Nutt, Longwood" on their wooden sides, visible in the unoccupied rooms upstairs.
Her grandchildren lived in the basement of Longwood until 1968. Julia herself, one of the heroines of the era in these parts, found it in herself to keep house and home and family together, by selling off parcels of land and livestock. Her husband died at Longwood in 1864 leaving her with the substantial obligation of Longwood, eight children and the farms they owned.
Portraits of her relatives, among them, Governors of Mississippi connect her to Natchez history, other of its great homes and families. But the mistress of Longwood has earned a place of note on her own... much as the house itself.

the house on ellicott hill

 

The baby sister has always said that her favorite house in all of Natchez is the House of Ellicott Hill.
When I asked her why, this is what she said "because it is the oldest. It has the oldest stuff. And it has the best view."

She particularly loves the kitchen.
I love the blue willow china, since I have that pattern, too. I love the old ledger books and scales. I love the crewel work on the bedding. I love the gorgeous Irish crystal chandelier in the parlor.
There is a lot to love in this house, on that the baby sister and I agree.

selma

 

 When the baby sister trip planner asked me which homes we should tour, Selma was on my list.
It is one of those places in Natchez with serious historical connection in a picturesque setting that is a private home open only during the Pilgrimage.
Choosing a favorite home in Natchez for me is about like choosing a favorite niece or nephew. They are all my favorites. I absolutely love them all for different reasons. They are all special. Just like Selma.
The drive to the house is gorgeous. We parked near one of the five of six surviving live oak trees believed to have been planted when the house was built.
The kind gentleman who showed us where to park instructed a gorgeous shepherd standing nearby to "take these ladies up to the house. They are our guests."
And so we were led, right up the steps, by Fred.
Mr. John, Selma's most recent owner was waiting there on the porch, leaning against the railing, where guests sitting in rocking chairs listened intently as he described his home's history and how he and his wife Mimi came to live at Selma.
Indigo once grew right up to the house at Selma. That legacy led Miss Mimi to prefer a particular color of blue for furnishings and accoutrements inside the house which she calls "Selma Blue."
The owners are collectors of fine antiques and have been for many years. The things they have accumulated seem perfectly at home at Selma, as do they and Fred.
The are featured in a painting done by Shreveport artist Darryl Chitty. That painting was a surprise after they commissioned a painting of the exterior by the same artist. The exterior painting features Fred, at rest in front of his domain. The surprise piece beautifully depicts Fred and his master and mistress in the front room on the house. It is as fine a representation of life at Selma as one could ask for. It, like the owners, their shepherd, the furnishings, their genteelity and their beautiful, historical home, are a delight.
 

beautiful monmouth

Monmouth is just a beautiful place...the house, the grounds, the guest houses, the restaurants. Every thing about this historic place is just gorgeous. Most famous as the home of General John Quitman, the folks around Monmouth remain famous.

From the pianist to the waiter to the bellman to the staff in the gift shop. These folks are so helpful, friendly and courteous they are famous for their hospitality and should be famous for it.
The sweet fellow who carried in our bags, lit the fireplace and told us he'd be back to turn down our beds before he left for the day. He put mints on our pillows every night we spent in this gorgeous place.