By Devonte Demby

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Historic Jefferson College is no stranger to the City of Natchez, but it has been a stranger to the Fall Pilgrimage for some time.

The historic college opened its doors for the first time in 50 to 60 years for Fall Pilgrimage visitors.

The famous Natchez Fall Pilgrimage, which started Friday and will continue through Oct. 13, features 16 historic houses.

After a lengthy hiatus, HJC historian Kay McNeil is ready for what the opportunity may bring.

“I want to focus on the territorial history,” McNeil said.

Historic Jefferson College is the Mississippi territory’s first institute of higher learning.

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours longed for something different this year and invited HJC to the fall tour line up.

“Some of homes have stopped being on pilgrimage, and Natchez Pilgrimage Tours wanted something different,” McNeil said.

Branch Director Robin Person said she was delighted for HJC to be on tour this fall.

“It’s wonderful because it will bring more people to tour our site,” Person said. “Some people never get the chance to stop by when they visit Natchez.”

On the first day of Pilgrimage Friday, a married couple from Ocean Springs, who normally doesn’t have a chance to visit HJC, made the trip to the Washington area.

David and Linda Bonham made the best of the occasion.

“We love visiting Natchez,” Linda said. “We always wanted to see Jefferson College, but never had the chance in our past visits.”

Linda was fascinated with the historic landmark.

“This has been a site for several movies,” Linda said.

HJC was featured in various films, including “The Horse Soldiers,” “The North and South” and the “Adventures of Huck Finn.”

David was glad to accompany his wife to what she wanted to see most, a tour of the college.

“I spent a lot of my younger days here,” David said. “My wife has been wanting to come here and since we have been moving around the area, we decided to come see the place.”

HJC can be toured during Fall Pilgrimage from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday and on Oct. 2, 5, 8 and 11.

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours Director of Marketing Lindsey Shelton said the group is excited for Pilgrimage to kick off.

“The visitor center and the homes were buzzing with folks excited to be in Natchez,” Shelton said. “Over the next 17 days, we have 23 groups booked that will bring nearly 1,000 visitors to the city for Fall Pilgrimage.

“That’s very exciting for us, and we’re thrilled so many folks are choosing to make the trip to Natchez for Fall Pilgrimage.”

Pilgrimage continues today with the orange tour, which is from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes The Briars, Auburn and Magnolia Hall.

Afternoon tours will continue with the yellow tour from 1:30 to 5 p.m. including Pleasant Hill, J.N. Stone House and The Gardens.