In the spring of 1931 an energetic and young Natchez Garden Club hosted the annual convention of the Mississippi Federation of Garden Clubs. One of the many activities scheduled was a tour of the old fashioned gardens that landscaped the Natchez antebellum homes. However, a late freeze dampened considerably the beauty of the gardens therefore it was suggested that maybe the visitors would enjoy going inside some of the homes.

What the ladies saw inside these homes was literally breathtaking. They had stepped back into history as they were surrounded by wallpaper, carpets, and draperies that had been there since the homes were built in the early to mid 1800s. Furnishings that had come from Europe and from the most skilled furniture makers in America were still in place.

Memorabilia and ephemera were scattered about each with a fascinating story&8230; &8220;Oh yes, those are letters from Jefferson Davis to my great-great grandfather&8230;and &8230;this sword was picked up at the Battle of Waterloo by an Englishman who later gave it to his grandson and on his deathbed gave it to my great-great uncle&8230;the stories went on and on from house to house. The visitors didn&8217;t seem to mind that the wallpaper was torn and the carpet worn &8220;clean through.&8221; And clearly the homeowners realized they enjoyed telling their stories as much as the visitors enjoyed hearing them.

The Garden club ladies planned to have another Pilgrimage week in 1932 and they proceeded to rummage into the trunks in the attic and dig out their mother&8217;s and grandmothers old dresses with their caged crinoline hoopskirts&8230;with plans to receive &8220;pilgrims&8221; into their homes while dressed in period clothes &8230;at a price! Even though the country was in the depths of the Depression, that first Pilgrimage was a great success &8230; and the Natchez Pilgrimage was born. Except for three years during World War II the Spring Pilgrimage has been a tremendous economic boon not only for Natchez but for the whole state of Mississippi as it continues to be the longest running Pilgrimage in America.

The Natchez African-American community has participated in every Spring Pilgrimage since 1931, telling the story of their struggle to freedom and subsequent survival through music. Musical presentations started with Heaven Bound in 1931 and continue today with Amos Polk&8217;s Voices of Hope and Holy Family Catholic Church Southern Road to Freedom.

March 2007 marks the 75th anniversary of the Spring Pilgrimage and to commemorate this important event The Democrat will feature weekly original photos dating back to those first days with the young and energetic Garden club ladies and leading up to March 2007 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage.

Readers are welcome to submit Pilgrimage photos for consideration. Many of the photos contain subjects whose names have not been identified. Readers are invited to identify individuals within the photos. Readers submitting photos should contact Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, the sponsor of this Spring Pilgrimage photographic history project at 601-446-6631 or

eugenie@natchezpilgrimage.com

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Eugenie Cates is the marketing director for Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.