Web site to film Natchez treasures

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 7, 2009

NATCHEZ — National Trust for Historic Preservation camera crews will be in Natchez Sunday.

Sally Durkin, Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau media liaison, said the organization is shooting different locations that have been deemed a preservation designation, such as Natchez.

“The five-minute video will go on their Web site,” Durkin said.

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Historic Natchez Foundation Programs Director Mimi Miller said the National Trust contacted her several months ago.

Normally, cities would have to pay for the five-minute spots on the National Trust Web site, Miller said.

“But they’re giving it to us for free,” Miller said.

She said she believes the National Trust is only filming four locations for free.

Miller will be taking National Trust officials around town and is planning on showing off Melrose, Temple B’Nai Israel, Zion Chapel African American Episcopal, Holy Family Catholic Church, Landsdowne, the William Johnson House, Under-the-Hill Saloon, downtown antiques shops and more.

“It’s a historic preservation piece, but they like you to capture a lifestyle of the community and that’s what we’ll be doing,” she said.

She said most of the filming will take place outdoors.

Miller’s husband, Ron, will narrate the film.

“That’s easier for us, because we won’t have to script it,” Miller said.

Durkin said this will put Natchez on the map for a new group of people.

“It actually opens up a whole other market that we haven’t necessarily been exposed to, and it will open a market to people who have an interest in historic preservation — strictly from a preservation and restoration standpoint,” Durkin said.

Miller said the National Trust is hoping to put the film spots on its Web site soon, and she believes the films will be launched in April or May.