1 of 7

Propinquity, owned by Brian Rutledge and Robb Gray

Rip Rap, owned by Dan Hays Clark

Hope Farm, owned by Laine and Kevin Berry

Ravenna, owned by Mary Beth and Carl Beasley

Holly Hedges, owned by Tammy and Wes Pack

Sweet Auburn owned by Charlotte Copeland

The Briars, owned by Clara and Chip Newman

NATCHEZ — The owners of seven historic houses in Natchez have informed the Pilgrimage Garden Club’s executive committee that they are stepping away from the club, citing concerns about the organization’s financial stability, lack of transparency, member trust and an unsustainable level of debt.

The homeowners include Brian Rutledge and Robb Gray of Propinquity, Mary Beth and Carl Beasley of Ravenna, Dan Hays Clark of Rip Rap, Charlotte Copeland of Sweet Auburn, Laine and Kevin Berry of Hope Farm, Tammy and Wes Pack of Holly Hedges and Chip and Clara Newman of The Briars.

“We were so incredibly proud to showcase our homes in one of the most successful Pilgrimages in history,” Robb Gray said. “We were looking forward to building on that success and energy. Unfortunately, through some conversations, it became clear we are on a different page than the leadership of the club.”

Marsha Colson, president of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, stated in a text message on Friday afternoon that she has no comment on the issue.

In the letter, the homeowners wrote they reached their decision to break with the PGC with “care, reflection, and a deep sense of responsibility to the historic mission of the Pilgrimage Garden Club and the broader Natchez community.”

The homeowners praised the PGC’s work for nearly a century as a steward of history.

“The Club has long played a critical role in safeguarding the cultural and architectural treasures that have made Natchez known around the world. It is a legacy we honor and are proud to have supported,” the group writes in the letter.

The homeowners said they “have actively participated, contributed and engaged in recent conversations. In good faith, we offered a collaborative solution and a clear pathway forward: one that sought to address growing concerns about financial stability, organizational transparency, and member trust, while also preserving the traditions and reputation of the Club.

“Regrettably, despite these efforts, the current leadership has chosen not to embrace the opportunity for sustainable renewal. Instead, a pattern of decision-making marked by secrecy, a lack of financial accountability, coupled with an unsustainable level of debt, and missed opportunities has placed the Club’s future — and the important properties and programs it supports — at considerable risk.”

The homeowners in the letter asked for “prompt reconciliation and payment of all funds owed to us from the recent record-breaking Spring Pilgrimage season. We fulfilled our commitments to the Club with integrity, and trust that the organization will do the same.”

On Friday afternoon, Gray said after the PGC’s current leadership rejected the homeowners’ efforts, “We made the decision to move forward in a positive way together. All options are on the table.”

“We had such a great reception this last Pilgrimage and we want to find ways to build on that. Our success is really Natchez’s success. We are so energized, excited and care so deeply,” Gray said. “We are looking at all options. 

“We are stepping away from the Pilgrimage Garden Club, but its history and its future are very important to us. We have so much respect and love and affection for the people who are on the board. We have worked very, very hard and are so proud of the achievements. We have so much more to do and are stronger together. We are open to working together in the future. We made a good faith effort to continue to work together and strengthen the club, but we must have accountability and transparency.”

Laine and Kevin Berry were approached by Colson and other PGC leadership more than a year ago and were asked to help reimagine the Club’s Spring Pilgrimage.

What the Berrys proposed was a condensed format, taking Spring Pilgrimage from a month-long event to one that took place over eight days during two weeks. The Berrys also planned several events during those eight days, which drew visitors and locals alike, such as Miss Julia’s Soiree at Longwood, a Southern Fish Fry at Mount Repose, a private cemetery tour and the Bridgerton Ball.

By all accounts, it was one of the most successful PGC Spring Pilgrimages in years and homeowners made more than twice the money they did in a typical month-long Pilgrimage season.

In a story published April 20 in The Natchez Democrat, the Berrys pondered the future of that reimagined Pilgrimage.

“We are at a pivotal moment. Either we grow from here, or we go backward,” Kevin Berry said. “It is imperative that we use what we have learned to reinvent the way we market Natchez to the consumer. The changes made it so much easier for the homeowners and it made more money — in fact, it made them more than twice the money for the homeowners.”

“If this is once and done, then Natchez loses,” Laine Berry said.

More Business

City’s trash collection won’t run on Memorial Day

WISHES COME TRUE: Downtown Natchez bakery to continue with new owners

Supervisors want to meet with commissioners about alleged troubles with port operations

‘ Downtown Unlocked’: Real estate showcase unveils business opportunities