NATCHEZ — Natchez National Historical Park will kick off National Park Week (April 19-27) with the inaugural downtown walking tours of Natchez led by senior staff at Natchez National Historical Park, beginning on April 18, 2025.

Natchez National Historical Park maintains the Natchez Visitor Center and four historic (Melrose, Fort Rosalie, the William Johnson House, and Forks of the Road), but the park mission extends to the stories of “all the peoples of Natchez, from the earliest times to the modern day.”

Each Friday tour will begin at the William Johnson House at 210 State Street and will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. There is no charge, but in the event of rain the tours will be cancelled.

At 10 am each week, visitors may accompany park Historian Jeff Mansell for “An Architectural Walk Around the Block.”

At 2 p.m. each week, visitors may join the park’s Chief of Interpretation, David Slay. Slay’s tours will alternate weekly between “The Great Tornado of 1840” and “William Johnson’s Natchez.”

Participants should assemble at the William Johnson House 10 minutes before the scheduled tour start time. Only 20 people can be safely accommodated per tour. The park recommends comfortable walking shoes, portable water, and a hat and sunblock.

The initial run for these tours will continue through May 30, 2025, at which time their extension will be evaluated.

For more information, call 601-446-5790 (Melrose) or 601-445-5345 (the William Johnson House) or visit www.nps.gov/natc.