Natchez residents have always had a knack for making things work without lots of outside help.

From the early French inhabitants who sought to make a go of bringing European civilization to the frontier to more modern examples, Natchez people take care of their own.

Drive along almost any road in Natchez and you’ll likely see evidence of this in the form of historic structures that have been preserved and protected in part because of a group of inventive women from the 1930s.

Most of you know the story. A group of Natchez women would not let poor weather deter them from playing excellent hosts to the state garden club convention. They invited them inside and the world renowned Natchez Pilgrimage was born.

In a little more than a month, that inventive, we-can-help-ourselves spirit will again come to life with the rebirth of the Natchez Antiques Forum.

After taking a hiatus for a few years, volunteers with the Pilgrimage Garden Club will roll out the famous Natchez welcome and hospitality for antiques lovers from around the country.

We’re glad the Pilgrimage Garden Club has resurrected the forum, as it brings in a number of visitors and helps reach another segment of the tourism market.

In addition, funds raised from the event will go toward further restoration at Stanton Hall.

For more than three decades the Natchez Antiques Forum wooed antiques lovers to Natchez while helping Natchez help itself in the process.

That’s more beautiful to our community than the finest museum quality antique piece.