Natchez African American History Trail

‘Natchez African American History Trail’

The revised publication features 29 historical sites with full color photos and map

NATCHEZ, Miss. — A newly revised edition of  the “Natchez African American History Trail: A Self-Guided Tour,” has been published and is now available as a pocket-sized resource on Natchez history.

The free 20-page booklet is a full-color product that features 29 African American sites. In addition to presenting brief descriptions of each site, the booklet includes photos, QR codes, and a map. The QR codes take readers to additional information posted on the website hosted by the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture.

“This is our second release of this publication, and I am thrilled with the success of the first publication that generated the need for a reprint,” said Bobby Dennis, the museum’s executive director. “Giving our visitors a look at the sites of those who built Natchez allows them to see our city more completely.”

The publication was sponsored by the museum, Visit Natchez, the City of Natchez, and the Historic Natchez Foundation. Its list of historical sites includes two new additions: the Jessie H. Winston House and the George F. Bowles House.

“We’re excited about this new African American tour guide and what it will mean to the Natchez community,” said Lynsey Gilbert, interim director for Visit Natchez. “A significant amount of work went into the creation of this publication, and we’re sure that it will be very useful to our local residents and our visitors. Its aim is to help tell the complete history of Natchez by highlighting the history of some of our African American sites.”

The idea for this project originated in early 2023 when Mayor Dan Gibson and Dennis announced plans to recognize 27 African American sites in Natchez with historical markers.

During a Black History Month ceremony on Feb. 1, 2023, the City of Natchez unveiled the 27 markers as a joint effort between the city and the museum. Gibson said at the time that the project was part of his ongoing work to tell the complete history of the city.

In April 2023, Gibson announced the publication of an eight-page booklet that provided the history of the 27 African American sites. According to Dennis, the booklet became a hit with local residents and tourists.

Gibson recently commented on the new publication. “We are so grateful to finally have a full color visitors guide to go with our self-guided African American History tour,” he said. “For the first time ever, tourists can use this resource, full of photos, descriptions, and a map to help them explore this amazing history. I am so grateful to our partners, NAPAC, Visit Natchez, the Natchez Democrat, the Historic Natchez Foundation, and Natchez Monument for making this happen.”

Gibson offered “special thanks” to Dennis; Carter Burns, executive director of Historic Natchez Foundation; and  Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez, whom he said, “worked tirelessly to deliver a professional product.”

The sites highlighted in the revised publication include: Dr. John Banks House, Brumfield School, Forks of the Road, Proud to take a Stand Monument, Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church, William Johnson House, Rhythm Night Club, Angelety House, Richard Wright’s Grandmother’s House, Robert Smith House, Black Business District, Henry J. and Ida Page Dumas House, Holy Family Catholic Church, Watkins Street Cemetery, Sidney and Sarah Russell House, Site of the Claiborne Barland House, Concord Quarters, Mazique-West House, Leon Donnan’s Barbershop, Mackel Funeral Home, Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church, the Bud Scott House, Professor Samuel Owen House, St. John United Methodist Church, Site of the Louis Winston Home, Natchez College, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, the Jessie H. Winston House, and the George F. Bowles House.

Copies of the booklet are available at the following locations: NAPAC Museum, 301 Main St.; Visit Natchez, 500 Main St., Suite 1; Historic Natchez Foundation, 108 S. Commerce St.; Natchez City Hall, 124 S. Pearl St.; Visit Natchez at The Depot Visitor Center, 200 N. Broadway St.; and Natchez City Sightseeing Tours (in the lobby of The Natchez Grand Hotel), 111 N. Broadway St.

The booklet may be downloaded here.