NATCHEZ &045; Hostesses in hoop skirts greeted a steady stream of visitors at Natchez’s antebellum houses on Saturday, the first day of Spring Pilgrimage.

For some who toured the houses, it was a chance to remember.

Dale Cox, who was strolling through the gardens at Cherokee, explained how he proposed to his wife Markeata at another antebellum house.

&uot;I proposed to her at Rosalie at Christmas two years ago, on a balcony,&uot; Cox said. That house will be open from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday.

For others, it was a chance to enjoy Southern hospitality.

Arleen Zensko of Houston said Pilgrimage was her reason for coming to Natchez.

&uot;People have been very nice at the homes and accommodating to questions,&uot; Zensko said. &uot;It’s nice that they preserve the houses.&uot;

One house on Saturday’s morning tour was Longwood, an antebellum house situated on a high hill, behind trees heavy with Spanish moss.

The hostesses, who were dressed in hoop antebellum skirts, greeted visitors as they arrived up to the largest octagonal house in the United States.

The construction of the mansion was planned in 1859 by Haller and Julia Nutt but was never finished due to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Visitors touring Longwood could see the unfinished part of the home upstairs.

Randy and Barbara Miller of Anacoco, La., toured the Longwood for the first time Saturday.

&uot;It’s a shame it was never finished,&uot; Randy Miller said.

The couple said they came to Pilgrimage to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.

Before touring the upstairs portion of Longwood, guests were taken on a tour of the almost 10,000-square-foot basement.

The women of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, who own the house, were stationed in different rooms in the basement and told visitors about each one.

Peggy Hudson, a hostess at Longwood, said since the home is open everyday for tours, it is continuously maintained.

In the afternoon another tour began with four antebellum houses open for viewing. Those houses included Cherokee, which is located on a hill at Wall High streets.

Cindy Bailey bought Cherokee in September from the Historic Natchez Foundation. The previous owners, Mr. and Mrs. James Whately, had donated the house to the foundation.

Cherokee is only open to the public during Pilgrimage, so Bailey said she prepared by &uot;dusting and making things look pretty for the tour.&uot;

Bailey also said the gardens at Cherokee take hard work to maintain but ended up looking beautiful.

Fleeta Thomas was one of the hostesses at Cherokee, who had worked previously at Longwood and the Visitor Center.

Since she recently had back surgery, Thomas considered herself lucky to be at Cherokee Saturday.

&uot;I was so glad to be able to work,&uot; Thomas said.

Pilgrimage, which runs until April 8, will continue today with the Blue and Purple tours.