NATCHEZ — The end of Fall Pilgrimage is near, and Regina Charboneau hopes that Twin Oaks’ visitors received a tour they will never forget.

Over time, Charboneau has grown tired of dull tours, so hiring a re-enactor to play a nun, for the last four years seemed natural.

Cornelia Connelly, a nun who is best known for founding the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, a Roman Catholic institute, came to Natchez with her husband Pierce Connelly in the 1830s.

Over 160 years ago, Cornelia and Pierce built White Cottage, their first home. Today, that home is known as Twin Oaks.

“The person who built this house in 1832 was fascinating,” Charboneau said. “So I had someone play as Cornelia and tell her story in first-person.”

When deciding who would put on the habit, Charboneau determined Katharine Parrish was right for the job.

Parrish is a Natchez native, but has been away from the area for some time. Now, Parrish has returned to Natchez with an eager attitude to explore the city she calls homes.

“I have been back for about a year and a half,” Parrish said. “My attention is to experience everything Natchez has to offer.”

Parrish said she enjoys playing Cornelia during the tours.

“I was nervous at first, but If needed, I would turn to my cards,” Parrish said. “I call them my security blankets.”

Charboneau said visitors have praised Parrish’s work.

“I got to know a couple of sisters from Holy Family,” Parrish said. “I appreciated them applauding me.”

Since being back in Natchez, Parrish has become Catholic, making her the perfect woman for the roll of Cornelia.

“What better way is it to be Catholic in Natchez, and get to play a nun during pilgrimage?” Parrish said.

Charboneau said that tourists enjoyed their time at Twin Oaks, and she is continually coming up with more activities to give them more access to the home, on a personal level.

“I wanted to create an interesting tour,” Charboneau said. “If people are going to come all the way to Natchez, they need to be entertained.”

Charboneau said Twin Oaks does not have the history as most historical houses in Natchez.

“I wanted to bring out the best tour possible,” Charbonneau said. “The Connelly family story was so interesting, it just made sense to make them apart of the tour.”

Charboneau said she thinks visitors enjoy living history.

“We get knowledgeable visitors,” Charboneau said. “They know Natchez, they know the architecture and they enjoy the history.”

Overall, Charboneau said she was pleased with the crowds during this Fall Pilgrimage season.

“I’m very excited about all the things that are going on in Natchez,” Charboneau said. “We need to get more of the community engaged in tourism.”