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NATCHEZ — The Pilgrimage Garden Club’s version of Spring Pilgrimage this year will look drastically different from anything in its past.

Spring Pilgrimage in Natchez has been, since its inception in 1932, the hallmark of the Natchez tourist season. Many Natchez businesses — restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and gift and clothing stores — earn much of their annual revenue from tourists during Spring Pilgrimage.

Instead of being a month-long event during which tourists can buy tickets to tour individual historic homes open to the public, the PGC’s member homes — 18 of them — will be open for public tours on Thursday through Sunday, March 27 through March 30, and April 3 through 6.

During and in between those dates, the PGC has planned a number of events to be enjoyed by area residents and tourists alike, including Miss Julia’s Soiree at Longwood, which will bring back portions of the former Spring Pilgrimage Tableaux, the First Annual PGC Golf Scramble, a Southern Fish Fry, a Very Natchez Revue at The Warehouse at Concord Quarters, a Night with the Spirits, which will include tours of private, family cemeteries, an Antique Show and Antique Show Preview Party and a Bridgerton Ball at Holly Hedges,

“We knew we had to change how we are doing Pilgrimage,” said Marsha Colson, Pilgrimage Garden Club president. “We couldn’t continue doing what we were doing.”

Colson said tourism and tourists have changed, and the PGC’s Spring Pilgrimage plans are meant to adapt to those changes.

“Tourism has changed. We are now having lots of competition from other areas. Travel styles have changed. Tourists want some free time, and they want to plan some things themselves and be able to pick and choose,” she said. “And we acknowledge that there are lots of other things to do in Natchez. We want people to experience our culture and learn about our history, good and bad.”

Colson said Laine and Kevin Berry made a presentation to the PGC board with ideas for reviving Spring Pilgrimage.

“They made a great offer and some suggestions for doing that, changing things, using their expertise and experience and creativity to implement most of those changes,” she said.

The Berrys are the founders of Our Restoration Nation, an online community for people interested in history, architecture, and historic preservation.

The Berrys, who renovated a home on Linton Avenue last year, have purchased Hope Farm after its devastating fire in 2024. They are documenting the restoration process on Our Restoration Nation.

Colson said Laine is in charge of the PGC’s Spring Pilgrimage committee. Kevin has revamped the PGC’s website, PilgrimageNatchez.com. For the 2025 tours and events, tickets must be purchased directly from the website.

First Families Homes

The Pilgrimage Garden Club will offer 18 private homes, called First Families Homes, for tour during the Spring Pilgrimage. The cost to tour these homes is $100. For an additional $25, you can add tours to Stanton Hall and Longwood, museum homes owned by the Pilgrimage Garden Club.

The 18 First Families Homes include Bontura, Brandon Hall, The Briars, The Burn, Concord Quarters, Elodie, Green Leaves, Holly Hedges, Hope Farm, Lansdowne, Myrtle Terrace, Propinquity, Ravenna, Ravennaside, Richmond, Rip Rap, Routhland, and Sweet Auburn.

After purchasing a ticket on the PGC website, tourists will pick up their welcome packet and a wristband at The Carriage House at Stanton Hall.

The ticket is good for either the first four days — March 27 through March 30 — or the second four days — April 3 through 6.

Tours will be given on the hour from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on those days. The last tours of the day begin at 3 p.m. Stanton Hall and Longwood are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offer tours on the hour. The last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m.