NATCHEZ — Mike Gemmell is a resource for most things Natchez, but it’s his life experiences not just his Natchez knowledge that allow him to relate to visitors.

Gemmell works as a volunteer for the National Park Service each Thursday, where his job is to greet people as they enter the Natchez Visitor Reception Center.

Gemmell said he doesn’t like to brag, but believes he’s good at what he does.

“(Thursday) I talked to people from Holland, France, Fairhope, Ala., Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, and I was able to relate to all of them in some way,” Gemmell said. “When you get to be my age of 70, you have a lifetime of stories and experiences that really help you connect to just about everyone no matter where they’re from or live.”

Gemmell attended Jefferson Military School in Washington and graduated from the school in 1962, just two years before it closed. His time there gave him an appreciation for the area and sparked his interest in Natchez, or his “adopted hometown.”

Gemmell’s interest in Natchez excelled when he married Elaine Lord, a Natchez native he met while attending Millsaps College.

“Because I married a Natchez girl, we started coming here to visit my in-laws, spend time on the lake or just see friends,” Gemmell said. “But she always knew she wanted to move here when we retired.”

But before Gemmell started calling Natchez home, he lived in Guatemala for a number of years, traveled to many European countries and eventually settled in Washington, D.C., to work for a public health organization.

Even at the nation’s capital, Gemmell couldn’t help but be a resource for visitors.

“I’ve always made it a point that when I see people on the street with a map or who just look like they need some help to go up to them and offer my assistance,” Gemmell said. “In Washington it was always, ‘Where’s the White House’ but I also try to do that in Natchez as much as I can.

“I think I’m sort of a directory or resource for Natchez, because I can always tell you what to do, where to stay or where to eat.”

The retired life wasn’t meant for Gemmell, who said he became stir crazy after switching from the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C., to the slow-paced Natchez lifestyle.

Soon, Gemmell was knocking on the door of Kathleen Jenkins, superintendent of the Natchez National Historical Park, asking for an opportunity to get involved with the National Park Service, which owns and operate the William Johnson House and Melrose.

Jenkins said Gemmell is the perfect person to greet visitors coming to the area ready to experience all Natchez has to offer.

“Mike is really the front-line face to all the visitors that come into the community, and he’s the most enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable person you’ll find,” Jenkins said. “He’s the perfect volunteer for that job because he’s lived and traveled all over the world, and he has a great value for other people’s culture that he helps connect to ours.”

Gemmell is also involved with the Natchez Festival of Music, Natchez Little Theatre and is an ambassador for the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteerism, Gemmell said, is something that lets him share his experiences with others and keeps him involved in the community.

“I keep alive by volunteering to all these different organizations I believe in,” Gemmell said. “We are all just fortunate to live in such a unique town that is so welcoming and full of history and traditions.”