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photo by Hannah Reel
Rebecca Lockhart, of Jacksonville, Fla., points out a silver punch bowl on display at Rosalie Thursday afternoon. Lockhart serves as a National Society Daughters of the American Revolution officer and volunteered to be a hostess at Rosalie.
Visiting hostesses lead tours
Published Friday, March 20, 2009
NATCHEZ — The hoop skirts were on, the tea sets were polished and the dining room table was set.
From the outside, the scene at Rosalie on Thursday was much like any other tour at Rosalie. But there was an obvious difference once the hostesses opened their mouth.
The history was the same, but it sounded a little different because many of the tour guides during Thursday’s Pilgrimage tours were Daughters of the American Revolution regents from outside Mississippi and didn’t speak with the traditional Southern drawl.
The special day is part of Rosalie’s Pilgrimage history that Cindy Phillips, chairman of the Rosalie governing board, said has been around for about 30 years.
“This year we have 17 out-of-state guests. Last year, we had 14 so it is up a little bit,” Phillips said of the visiting hostesses, who that traveled from Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri and other states. “They are from all over. It definitely isn’t regional.”
The group of out-of-state hostesses were given an official tour of the house on Wednesday before receiving their room assignments and scripts.
Six-year-old Arie Douglas, left, of Wesson, asks hostess Sue Bratton, of Tallahassee, Fla., a question while on tour. Bratton serves as a Florida DAR state regent.
Phillips said bringing in the visiting guides provides a different perspective that is a benefit to tourists.
“With this being their first time in the house, they bring an energy and excitement with them,” she said.
The excitement was being passed on to a steady line of tourists who filled the front porch of the mansion before being led inside for their tour to begin.
While Phillips said she didn’t know the exact number of tourists who had been through the house, she was pleased with the turn out.
“I think it was a good day,” she said “It feels good.”
Julie Stuhlmacher, the DAR state regent from Wisconsin, was busy ushering tourists through the lower hallway of Rosalie, pointing out the clock and chandelier. For Stuhlmacher, the trip to Natchez was her first to Mississippi.
“I don’t want to leave,” she said. “It feels like a dream.”
Stuhlmacher said her DAR chapter has a historical property, but she said it doesn’t compare to the grandeur of Rosalie.
“We have a small property — it is just a log cabin — I never expected this,” Stuhlmacher said. “I expected (the house) to need more work. I wasn’t sure how much restoration had been done, but this is amazing.”
Stuhlmacher said despite her attempts, she hasn’t mastered her Southern accent and is still trying to say “y’all.”
“People have asked me where I’m from,” she said.
“I’ve been trying to talk slower.”
Comments
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I suppose if you are from Wisconsin you would be impressed with Rosalie but being a native of Natchez it is probably my LEAST favorite!
I would take Stanton Hall ANY day over Rosalie.
Posted by Pluto (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotta --Fine if you like Stanton Hall --I do too, but why put down Rosalie? Stanton Hall and Rosalie are both very fine homes, but they are very different, they were built nearly 30 years apart and have very different stories. Since you are from Natchez, you should know that. And, there are some great places in Wisconsin. I, for one, am glad these ladies came to Natchez, spent their money on our hotels and in our restaurants, and donated their time to help greet our visitors. Thank you DAR. You do a wonderful job.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I never said I wasn't glad for these ladies visit!
I simply do not care for what has happened to Rosalie with their new management and the "ME ME" mentality.
All the homes and all in Natchez should work together...NOT try singling out one home!
Posted by Pluto (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You may be thinking of the wrong house, the DAR has managed and supported Rosalie since 1938. They and their staff do a great job and work with the community --Blues Fest, Balloon Race, and other community events happen on their property.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No I am NOT thinking of the wrong house and I am NOT referring to the DAR because they OWN the house....I'm talking about the manager Pluto....the manager.
I have NOTHING against the DAR!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 20, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am happy that people from other parts of country want to participate!
However, what does it say about our locals who are supposed to be involved in this industry. An outsider should not have a chance if our tourism industry was healthy.
Is it a dying industry and we need outsiders to prop it up?
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Julie Stuhlmacher you put a true meaning to FAKE. Now maybe some of the nitwit northerners that pay big prices to see these homes will realize all of this is a how can I say it like a southernbelle "hogwash". Even the ancestors of the tour guides fought against the south that's really funny.
Posted by zzzzipy (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love ALL the houses!!!!
Posted by msfixit (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gemcull, because Rosalie is one of the properties owned by the DAR, it is considered an honor for any visiting member, especially if that member is an officer in the organization, to be allowed to receive at the home if they request to do so. I could technically request to do the same thing at DAR properties in other states if I wished. Years ago I visited the home used as headquarters for the Mayflower Society in Plymouth, MA, and was told that if I was going to be on the Cape long enough I could be a visiting docent at the museum in the home. This is a common practice in these types of historical/genealogical groups.
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on March 20, 2009 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Is it a dying industry and we need outsiders to prop it up?
It,s a dying industry because it,s dying. Proping won,t help it. Times have changed dramatically. Technology,the economy,less and less jobs and no money dictate a different type of tourist,and a lot of people are more interested in things past the old days.
Posted by mamajulie (anonymous) on March 21, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Dixiemama,
Well, you may think I am fake and a nitwitted notherener who pays big bulks to come to the south to live and understand the history of the south.
And yes my ancestors may have fought agianst the south.
But that is in the past, and I wasn't there. That was a long time ago. My understanding is we are one Nation under God. And our Country is so rich with History for all to enjoy.
Did you know that Jefferson Davis lived in Portage Wisconson at Fort Winnebago for a while? Jefferson drew the Blue Prints for the Fort.
You will be more than welcomed when you visit us in the North. We would love to share our History with you.
It was so wonderful to meet so many open minded great people this week. I am not a southernbelle but it did meet some. The ture southernbelles, true ladies.
Posted by Pluto (anonymous) on March 21, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said mamajulie.
Posted by mamajulie (anonymous) on March 21, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank You! Pluto
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