Good morning, for a number of 19th-century correspondents, architects and travelers, the similarities between the suburban villas of Natchez and the great English country houses were obvious.

T.K. Wharton described Melrose as “English all over” while William Howard Russell compared the woods around Lansdowne — abounding in fine trees — to parts of his native Sussex.

As president of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, I am cordially inviting you to join us for our January luncheon meeting at noon Friday at the Carriage House.

National Park Service Historian Jeff Mansell is presenting an illustrated tour through the celebrated gardens, parks and landscapes of some of England’s greatest country houses, from which one might determine the inspiration of perhaps more than one Natchez garden.

Lunch, prepared by our talented chef Bingo Starr, is $18.

In consideration of workday schedules, the meeting will last approximately one hour.

Please call 601-446-6631 for reservations. Seating in the Queen’s Room is limited so please respond as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you and are certain you will be delighted with the presentation and Bingo’s menu.

 

Marsha Colson is president of the Pilgrimage Garden Club.