NATCHEZ &045; Interested in touring a museum in Natchez?

Wednesday might be the perfect day. As part of International Museum Day, several museums and exhibits in the community will offer special programs and tours &045; all of them free.

International Museum Day was founded by the International Council of Museums nearly 30 years ago, &uot;to bolster recognition of museums around the world,&uot; said Cheryl Munyer Branyan, director at Historic Jefferson College.

Branyan thought it might be good for Natchez museums to take part in the event this year. The result is a host of programs, lectures and tours to attract just about anyone.

Jefferson College, for example, will hold an open house and nature walk.

&uot;Museums are such an important resource for everyone,&uot; Branyan said. &uot;This is a nice way to remind people we’re here &045; and we’re not just for tourists.&uot;

Of course, the museums will be happy to welcome tourists, she said.

In fact, museums are among the top three vacation destinations for families.

Among the programs scheduled today:

4Grand Village of the Natchez Indians will have a one-hour video at 3 p.m., &uot;Rocky Mountain Beaver Pond,&uot; with light refreshments and an outside tour.

4Historic Jefferson College will host an open house with light refreshments and a nature trail group walk at 1:30 p.m., weather permitting.

4Natchez in Historic Photographs at First Presbyterian Church will have a tour of the church conducted by Dr. John Larson and a short lecture on the Gandy photo collection by

Joan Gandy

before a visit to the photo exhibit upstairs. The tour begins at 4 p.m.

4Natchez National Historical Park will have a special Wednesday opening of the William Johnson House and free tours at Melrose. The 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. tours at Melrose will focus on museum operations.

4The Historic Natchez Foundation will have a continuous showing of projected images of non-extant Adams County historic buildings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Natchez Institute at 108 S. Commerce St.

&uot;This look at lost Natchez will remind older residents of buildings they once knew and introduce new and younger residents to what has been lost,&uot; said Mimi Miller, director of preservation for the foundation. &uot;Viewing these images reinforces the importance of protecting the historic resources that survive.&uot;

The Foundation will offer free refreshments and a 10 percent discount on Natchez Collection jewelry.

The same discount will also be offered at Classic Natchez in the Canal Street Depot.

The Natchez Historical Society will participate with the Foundation by allowing the Foundation to reduce the cost of its &uot;Natchez Images&uot; publication from $15 to $10 on Wednesday.