NATCHEZ &045;&045; In the eyes of a 4-year-old, the bellowing bottom of an antebellum hoop skirt covered in lace and ribbons is appropriate princess-wear.

The smallest of the pilgrimage tour guides this week probably get more caught up in the glory of their costume than the history that surrounds them, nonetheless, they know their role.

&uot;They pose for pictures and stand on the porch,&uot; mom Ruthie McGrath said of her pre-K and kindergarten daughters. &uot;They think they are little princesses.&uot;

Mackenzie and Delaney McGrath and mom spent the children’s spring break in Natchez this week and went to work at Elgin and the Parsonage on Wednesday and Thursday. Though Ruthie McGrath is originally from Natchez, the family now lives in Franklin, Tenn.

From the preschoolers to the teenagers, spring break provides a necessary part of the pilgrimage work force, homeowner Ruth Ellen Calhoun said.

&uot;The young people are essential to us, and I think it’s good for them too,&uot; the Elgin owner said. &uot;The more I have, the better.&uot;

The McGrath sisters were part of a little girl trio that directed tourists to Elgin’s guesthouse Wednesday, and two older children with age-appropriate roles.

&uot;I stand and when people come in I tell them where to go,&uot; 11-year-old Mylie King said. &uot;It’s awesome. I’m visiting and they surprised me (with the job).&uot;

King, whose grandparents live in Natchez, is on spring break from her school in Great Lakes, Wis.

Calhoun said she loved having the children dressed in period clothes in the home because pilgrims love to see them.

&uot;I don’t have my own grandchildren, that’s when I borrow my friends,&uot; Calhoun said. &uot;Playing princess is what they call it.&uot;

Natchez local Will Harris, a senior at Trinity Episcopal, works at the houses throughout pilgrimage, leaving school early to do so.

&uot;It’s fun; I do it because they need me to do it and it’s fun meeting people,&uot; Harris said.

This year, Harris is playing the role of a young John Carmichael Jenkins, the man who built Elgin. He tells the story in first person and has developed the character well, Calhoun said.

At the Parsonage, Chandler Cooper, from Cincinnati, Ohio, is told tourists about a flycatcher and a candle maker.

&uot;I’ve learned the original owners were related to Betsy Ross,&uot; the 9-year-old said. &uot;It’s been interesting.&uot;

Cooper, who gave tours two days this week, is a relative of Natchez resident Bill Stewart.