Date: February 9, 2017
Contact: Kathleen Bond, 601-442-7047
Natchez National Historical Park is celebrating Presidents Day and Black History Month with a series of special programs on Monday, February 20th. These programs are both free to the public.
Park Ranger Barney Schoby Jr., will be dressed as a Union Soldier and conduting programs on the United States Colored Troops from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Monday the 20th at the Melrose mansion. Do not miss out on this opportunity to spend some time with National Flat Hat Award Winning Ranger Schoby as he tells you about the trails, travails, and victories of thousands of African American soldiers who served in this region during the Civil War.
Dr. David Slay, new Chief of Interpretation at the Park, will present a program entiled "New Masters on the Mississippi: the United States Colored Troops in Natchez and Vicksburg" at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center Theater at 640 S. Canal Street in Natchez from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Slay is widely recognized as an authority on the black military experience during the Civil War. He wrote a dissertation on the USCT, has taught graduate courses on African American history at Tulane University, has appeared in a historical movie directed by James Franco, and served as historical consultant on the Oscar winning Best Picture of 2014, "Twelve Years a Slave." Please join use as he brings his many years of scholarship to Natchez.
As part of the Presidents Day commemoration, the usual house tour fee of $10 at the Melrose mansion will be waived for all visitors on Monday, February 20th. Tours of mansion begin at 10:00 and 11:00 am and at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m. The grounds and slave exhibit are open all day free of charge.
At the William Johnson House, 210 State Street, self-guided tours of the family home are always free of charge.
The Fort Rosalie site on South Canal Street is now open to the public from dawn until dusk every day, with picnic tables close to parking. For more infromation, visit nps.gov/natc or call 601-446-8601.
