Indian Chief, King Cotton and African Prince: did you miss the Foster Mound “Royalty” tour sponsored by the Antiques Forum in November? You now have another opportunity to tour an area of Adams County where history begins as far back as the sixth century BC. The November event was so well received that Natchez Pilgrimage Tours has arranged to offer five evening tours during Pilgrimage saluting Mississippi’s Bicentennial.

Natchez Historian Jim Wiggins will introduce the tour with an overview: “On Suppositious Heads and the Very Large History of a Very Small Place.” This will be presented at the Natchez Grand Hotel where guests will then board a motor coach for a guided tour which will conclude with a seated picnic supper with foods common to the three cultures: Native American, African and European.

First stop will be Historic Jefferson College. In 1802, William C. C. Claiborne, Governor of the Mississippi Territory addressed the need for an institution of learning that might “dispel the mental darkness and stand as a bulwark against luxury and vice in rising generations” The territorial assembly approved such a measure May 13, 1802.

From Jefferson College the bus will continue on to Foster Mound, originally named Mount Pleasant Plantation. There the evolving history of the house from log structure to the 1850s and then present-day as well as the early history of the Foster family will be presented by yours truly, a descendant of James Foster. A tour of the home by present day own, Rodger D. Smith, includes a cutaway in the interior wall displaying the original logs.

The history of plantation survival from tobacco to indigo to King Cotton will prepare the stage for the next speaker, Beverly Adams, a descendant of Thomas Foster and his slave “Prince” who will share the story of Ibrahima, from African Prince to slave.

The last stop will be Glen Mary, built by the son of James Foster and later given to James’ grandson. The story of son, William James” determination to restored his father’s entire Mount Pleasant plantation as well as acquire additional land for Glen Mary will precede a tour of this historic home, now owned by Marion and Carolyn Vance Smith. The evening will conclude with a picnic style dinner at Glen Mary, featuring foods indigenous to the three cultures of the Foster Mound Road.

This tour is offered exclusively by Natchez Pilgrimage Tours (reservations only). Tickets are available for $129 per person. The ticket includes Jim Wiggins’ overview at the Natchez Grand Hotel at 5 p.m., bus transportation, a knowledgeable guide, bottled water, entrance to two private homes rarely opened to the public, picnic supper with takeaway menu of foods on the menu from all three cultures and souvenirs, reading list of books associated with the northern area of Adams County, including Jefferson College and comments by historians at Jefferson College. The  bus will return at 8:30 p.m.

Tour dates are today,  Sunday, April 2, 9, and 16. For information and/or tickets Call 601-446-6631 or 800-647-6742.
NanErle Schuchs is a descendant of the of James Foster of Foster Mound in north Adams County