Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 6 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Park service deserves consideration
Published Sunday, July 13, 2008
We’ve often said that one of the best things Natchez has going for it is often one of the least recognized features — the Natchez National Historical Park.
Often overlooked as merely the keepers of antebellum Melrose, the house that serves as the centerpiece of the NNHP’s presence in Natchez, the National Park Service’s impact on Natchez is much, much more.
In recent years, the NNHP has greatly expanded its umbrella of caring about some of Natchez’s historic places.
A restored William Johnson House opened in 2005 breathing new life to one of Natchez’s most interesting and unique stories.
With plans under way to obtain land at the site of Fort Rosalie to develop the historical site and a nearly completed study to consider whether or not the Forks of the Road slavery market site could be added, the NNHP is staying busy and doing good things for Natchez.
The City of Natchez is considered a proposal to transfer ownership of the Natchez Visitor Reception Center to the NPS. Many questions remain unanswered before we’d know how well that proposal might work, but we’re glad the city is considering it.
Having the professionals such as the National Park Service operating the facility — rather than just leasing space there as they currently do — could prove another invaluable asset to Natchez.
Natchez is a city filled with historical jewels and we know of few people better than the folks at the National Park Service to care for those jewels, keep them polished and on display for the world to see.
Comments
Posted by wonderingirl (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 4:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Facts and figures and not just emotions need to be considered as this should be a business deal. For instance, how much did this site cost initially? Is it paid for? How much has been invested in repairs and upkeep over the years? What does it cost to run yearly? How much does the Park Service pay for leasing space in the building? Does any one else pay for leasing: if so, who and how much? What has been projected as future maintenance cost by the Park Service's survey? Would the city keep certain rights of office space? Etc., etc. Natchez Democrat maybe you can give us some of these facts to think on before all opinions are rendered.
Posted by tiredofcrazytalk (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
matter of fact the national park service do pay rent for that building. You need to ask your elected officals where is that money going. The NPS have brought many new things to this tired community of backwashers, please move into the future and move on with all your crying about they shall let the city rent free. The city is receiving rent for them now and can't keep up the property. Why not give it to them know?, because much later will cause the citizen more money to up keep the building, they have the knowledge and the well being of the taxpayer money in heart not like your elected officals past or present ones that is costing you alot of MONEY !!
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wonderingirl, thanks for locating our church for us. We were quite embarrassed last year when the Sisters of Cannonsburg Presbyterians for Progress returned from their 44 year Children's Crusade and Path of Moses Promised Land Tour and we had to admit that we let the church get pilfered.
They were just happy to see the old church again, no matter where it is and Sister Shannon scattered a handful of sand and some small stone shards she brought back from Mount Horeb on the WestMinster grounds; the late Rev. Joe had commissioned her and her twelve followers to bring back some ashes of the burning bush and chips from the Tablets of Law so Greenwood could become a reliquary in the European tradition in hope of turning the old church into a place of Pilgrimage. Sister Martha told us that both ashes and tablet chips were in such large supply from vendors the Sister's Presbyterian accuity made them distrust the stories told by the suppliers of the various vendors regarding the wares they were offering.
So, thanks to you wonderingirl, the Sisters have been able to fulfill a pledge they made to Rev. Joe over 45 years ago even if they didn't get the exact objects specified.
I do wish we could have the pews back though. We have hollowed out a little glade on the old church site and it would be a fine thing if we had the pews; we could sit them in the glade and conduct our services just as well under God's roof as under our old one. It is a fine thing to recline upon the ground in our little glade and listen to Sister Shannon regale us with fantastic tales of their journey to Europe and the Promised Land, and to listen as well to her soft spoken exaltations of ecstasy as the spirit moves her. Some of the ladies are getting on in age though and especially when the ground is damp they do miss the pews a bit.
Again, thank you, and Sisters Shannon, Martha, and Elizabeth send you blessings.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
P. S.- if you are ever out Church Hill way, stop off at the January Hermitage and let Sister Martha fill your tank with some of their aged ethanol from the new refinery they put up. The Sisters hope to break the stranglehold monopoly the Baptists over in Wilkinson and Franklin County have on the Mississippi ethanol trade.
The Sisters use NO lead solder in their kettles and tubing, so you can be sure of a more environmentally friendly drive than the Baptists are offering.
Posted by wonderingirl (anonymous) on July 14, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad that the information that I gave you was of service to The Sisters in solving your mystery. Maybe I will cross paths with them someday as Church Hill is one of my favorite areas, especially in the spring when the dogwoods bloom. Anyway, I do appreciate the kind words and thoughts.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 14, 2008 at 4:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are entirely welcome wonderingirl.
We all love the dogwoods too, but then how could we not? If you drive out next spring just turn on White Road and look for these signs:
"Feeling lost in life's travels?"
"Uncertain of your direction?"
"Put a little Calvin in your tank."
"Arrive Safely at your Predestination."
"Presbethanol!"
After the Presbethanol sign you will see a sign that says:
"January Hermitage, Home of the Sisters for Progress ---->"
Turn there, you'll pass a large clump of day lilies under a mossy old oak tree, follow that road all the way back, it winds between some cow pastures. You'll pass by a big old farmhouse (that's the Hermitage) with a cedar tree outside the fence and a crepe myrtle in the yard, the road gets real bumpy here, but when you see an old cemetery just stop and honk your horn three short honks. The refinery is down in a little hollow behind the cemetery. One of the Sisters or maybe one of the Deacons will come show you the way from there, depending on what stage the current run is in. If they are working on the mash floor it will take them a little longer to break away, so just admire the old cemetery and the imported cactus plants while you wait.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)