Last week I traveled to Washington, D.C., with city officials to provide information to our Congressional delegation and other officials regarding our city’s Tricentennial plans for 2016, as well as the centennial of the National Park Service in that same year.

A highlight of that year will be the Aug. 3 grand opening of the Fort Rosalie unit of Natchez National Historical Park, located along Canal Street, north of the Natchez Visitor Center. The timing of the 300th anniversary of Natchez is based on the fact that construction of this French fort was completed on Aug. 3, 1716.

The Natchez Democrat recently attributed to me quotations stating that the National Park Service is revamping the grounds of the antebellum house Rosalie. This is not true.

The Rosalie mansion is an unrelated historic attraction located north of the NPS Fort Rosalie site.  This historic house museum is operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution and has no connection to the National Park Service.

During 2015, the NPS Fort Rosalie site will become more easily identifiable as the park stabilizes the log cabin and clears vegetation from the site in preparation for development that will ultimately include walking trails with interpretive wayside panels, parking, a picnic area, museum spaces relating to the colonial history of Natchez — and signage.

 

Kathleen M. Jenkins, Superintendent

Natchez National Historical Park