Fundraiser promises a good time

Leigh Dickey

Published Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Natchez Garden Club and the Preservation Society of Ellicott Hill are fired up and ready to renovate.

The ladies of the Natchez Garden Club and the members of the Preservation Society of Ellicott Hill have been working tirelessly to prepare Magnolia Hall and The House on Ellicott Hill for the 2008 Natchez Fall Pilgrimage. During the preparation for this annual event a massive problem was uncovered at Magnolia Hall. We all knew that Magnolia Hall was in need of cosmetic repair. However, we were completely unaware that there was a larger problem that was looming. There was structural damage that started with the roof that needed to be repaired before any cosmetic work could be done. How on earth would we ever be able to meet the expense of having all the necessary repairs completed? It was at this moment that the idea occurred. After last year’s overwhelming response, the Natchez Garden Club and the Preservation Society of Ellicott Hill would host another social event.

Magnolia Hall has a wonderful and rich history; that began in April of 1858, when 60-year-old Natchez native Thomas Henderson purchased the lot at the northwest corner of the intersection of Orleans and Pearl streets. Magnolia Hall was the last home completed before the beginning of the Civil War. In 1862, when Natchez was shelled by the Union gunboat, The Essex, Magnolia Hall was one of the buildings hit.

Seven years after the death of Thomas Henderson, Magnolia Hall was sold to the Britton family. In the late 19th century, the house became a boarding house, known as Magnolia Inn, and in the 1970s, Magnolia Hall became the home of Trinity Episcopal Day School. During this period, all of the original partition walls were removed and all of the marble mantel pieces were sold, the ceilings were lowered, commercial tile was placed over the hardwood floors and the original chandeliers were sold. The house became institutional in character. In 1976, Magnolia Hall was given to the Natchez Garden Club by Mrs. George Armstrong.

Subsequently, Magnolia Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was the recipient of a federal matching grant for restoration.

The restoration of Magnolia Hall, which began with its acquisition in 1976, is ongoing. Several grants have been received in order to continue to restore this wonderful and historic building. Most recently, grants from the National Park Service and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History have been awarded to continue with the renovation and preservation process. Many of the grants that have been applied for, as well as one of the grants received, are matching funds grants. These grants require that the amount given for restoration be matched dollar for dollar.

Events such as the 2007 social, “A Night Out In Natchez” and the 2008 social, “Drinks at Dunleith,” not only help in obtaining some of the resources needed for the ongoing maintenance as well as the renovation and preservation of Magnolia Hall, but they also provide a social outlet for individuals who wish to support the restoration effort. Each and every gift given to the Preservation Society of Ellicott Hill and the Natchez Garden Club for one of the aforementioned events has helped continue the efforts to accrue the necessary support needed to continue the renovation and preservation of this delightful historic house.

From 6 until 8 p.m. today the Natchez Garden Club and the Preservation Society of Ellicott Hill will be hosting the Second Annual Magnolia Hall fundraiser, titled “Drinks at Dunleith.” Local merchants, as well as garden club members have been very generous and have donated many wonderful items that will be featured in over 40 silent auction packages.

“Drinks at Dunleith” is a casual event that will include an appetizer buffet, cash bar, live entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets will be available at the door for $15. Please join us at Dunleith Plantation on Thursday evening to eat, drink, bid on the silent auction, enjoy the live entertainment and most importantly, to support the ongoing effort to preserve this picturesque and poignant piece of history known as Magnolia Hall.

Leigh Herrington DICKEY is a Natchez native and a member of the Natchez Garden Club.