Monday, November 24, 2008

Christmas Tour of Homes: White Wings

White Wings
311 North Wall Street
Home of Sallie Ballard

White Wings was built between 1833 and 1835 as the home of Sarah Robinson. It was originally a simple late Federal cottage with small portico. After her death in 1853, the house was acquired by Charles Meeks, a native of New York. Meeks was a banker in Natchez and was engaged in the grocery business at the time of his death. Meeks owned the house from 1854 until he died in 1902, during which time he made two major enlargements. Between 1864 and 1886, Meeks added an addition with master bedroom at the rear and between 1892 and 1894, another bedroom with bay window was added. The wing additions to the house were the source of the name White Wings.

White Wings and neighboring Choctaw have a family connection. Stephen Kelly, the nephew of Charles Meeks of White Wings, married Julia Davis, the daughter of George Malin and Elizabeth Davis who lived at Choctaw. Before his death in 1883, George Malin Davis also owned three other great Natchez mansions: Cherokee, Concord (burned 1901), and Melrose, which remained the home of the Davis family until 1976.

After Meeks’ death, White Wings remained in the family as the residence of a niece, Abbie Clark Sanford. In 1928, the Sanford heirs lost the property, which was sold at public auction. In 1929, the house was purchased by John R. Junkin, late Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives. The house remains in the Junkin family and is today the home of Junkin's daughter, Sallie Junkin Ballard. Sallie inspired and worked tirelessly to raise the money for the citywide planting of 2000 crepe myrtle trees as a millennium project for the year 2000.

Christmas Tour of Homes

Sunday, December 7, 2 - 5 pm

$15.00 one ticket ($25 two tickets)

Christmas Tour of Homes: The Van Court Town House

Van Court Town House
510 Washington Street
Home of Benny Riddle & Cliff Davis

The Van Court Townhouse was built in 1835 for James Ferguson by the Natchez contracting firm of Neibert & Gemmel. It is a rare combination of Federal and Greek Revival architecture. Both styles blend at the front entrance, where a beautiful Federal style fanlight crowns the front door, which is framed by Grecian pilasters. The lacy cast iron porch was probably added in the 1850s. The rooms are arranged in a side hall plan. Note the graceful hallway staircase extending with unbroken handrail from the first to the third story.

Present owners, Cliff Davis and Benny Riddle, have created a new and original ambience with their careful renovation of this historic townhouse at the corner of Washington and North Union. Respectful nods to the history of the original 1835 house are seen throughout, with such touches as the handsomely framed black and white renderings by architect Hayes Town, discovered through Cliff’s research. Also of note is the lovingly restored 1850 carved rosewood grand piano in the front hallway, which displays photographs of the original owner. Throughout the interior are many antique furnishings and accessories that showcase Benny and Cliff’s love for collecting, as well as Benny’s many years as a visual artist.

Come see Van Court in all her glory. See the Italian marble mantels festooned with magnolia and magnificence, as well as the uniquely beautiful banister draped for the holiday from the first to the third floor.

A visit to this home and its lovely garden will truly give you an early Christmas treat!

Sunday, December 7, 2 - 5 pm
$15.00 one ticket ($25 two tickets)

Christmas Tour of Homes: Myrtle Bank

Myrtle Bank
408 North Pearl Street
Home of Barbara & David Haigh

This Spanish Colonial style cottage predates 1817, with later additions through the1870s. Named for the high bank where it stands, it has a raised basement encircled by brick pillars. In 1835, Alfred and Eliza Cochran bought Myrtle Bank from George Overaker for $3000, enlarging it to its present classical one and a half stories with a wide front gallery.

Among later owners were Anna Dunbar Postlewaite and Benjamin Wade. In 1858, The Natchez Young Ladies Institute occupied the house. A gazebo built about 1875 was moved to a neighboring yard but returned in the 1970s. In 1957, Thomas Gandy bought Myrtle Bank, restoring it to its 19th-century state. He designed and built brick patios, walkways, raised flower beds, and a fish pond. He saved thousands of glass negatives of three Natchez photographers, developed and enlarged the pictures in his dark room at Myrtle Bank, and hand tinted the pictures. He and his wife Joan published several books of these images.

Current owners, Barbara Gilbert and David Haigh, have changed little. The cast iron mantels, imposing Cornelius Baker parlor gasolier (originally at Brandon Hall), and traditional punka are significant features. Visitors will see antiques inherited by Barbara from her Peck and Gilbert ancestors. The library showcases the Haigh’s collection of McCarty pottery and Southern images. On the third floor, the boys’ room displays collectibles from the Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch and Wild West Show, and the girls’ room has a vintage doll house and dolls.

Myrtle Bank will be splendidly decorated for Christmas. Guests may walk the grounds as well.

Christmas Tour of Homes

Sunday, December 7, 2 - 5 pm

$15.00 one ticket ($25 two tickets)

Christmas Tour of Homes: Maywood

Maywood
1 Elm Street
Home of Barbara & Ed Colwell
(Refreshment Center)


Maywood, located on historic Elm Street between Airlie & Riverview, was built by Fredrick and Marian Brown, circa 1928. Although new by Natchez standards, this home incorporates many recycled architectural elements in its Colonial revival style. These include the front entrance, interior stairway from the foyer, fireplace mantles, and some windows. Over the years, the home has been expanded to add a master bedroom wing, an enlarged kitchen, and family dining area. Beautiful granite counters grace cabinets and large cooking island alike.

This home, often referred to as The Dupre House, was owned by the original owners’ daughter and son-in-law, Mimi and Charles Dupre for years. In 2000, Barbara and Edward Colwell moved to Natchez from Chicago, purchased the house, and renamed it Maywood. Rather than alluding to trees on the property or the time of year the house was bought, this is a name in Barbara’s family, stretching back for generations. The Colwell’s daughter carries the name as a middle name now.

Interior renovations reflect Edward’s skills as a gentleman carpenter and woodworker. Projects both small and large have kept him busy and happy since buying the house. Also, he is an expert cook, and the family entertains often, showcasing his culinary mastery.

The Christmas season is a favorite here because Maywood lends itself to traditional Christmas decorations in every room. Look for at least five Christmas trees, a beautiful wreath on the front door, and various other decorations throughout the house. Enjoy the centerpiece on the dining table where refreshments will be offered by The Friends of the Library.

Christmas Tour of Homes

Sunday, December 7, 2 - 5 pm

$15.00 one ticket($25 two tickets)

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Christmas Tour of Homes is Soon!

On the first Sunday of December of every year, the Friends of the Library sponsor the Christmas Tour of Homes. Everybody loves this tour. The tickets are only $15 for one or $25 for two tickets, and you get to tour four beautiful homes not usually open to the public. Tour the homes in order you wish - and remember that one is always a refreshment center. Plus, they are all decorated for Christmas.

You can buy your tickets at the Library anytime we're open - or at any of the homes on the day of the event. Listed below are the homes on the tour this year. In later posts, I'll feature each house including a picture.

Maywood
1 Elm Street
Home of Barbara & Ed Colwell
(Refreshment Center)


Myrtle Bank
408 North Pearl Street
Home of Barbara & David Haigh


Van Court Town House
510 Washington Street
Home of Benny Riddle & Cliff Davis


White Wings
311 North Wall Street
Home of Sallie Ballard


Hope to see you there!

Monday, November 3, 2008

New Books from the NY Times Bestseller List

Fiction

1. The Brass Verdict, by Michael Connelly. Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller team up to find a killer.

2. The Lucky One, by Nicholas Sparks. A marine returning home sets out to tract down the woman whose photo he found in Iraq.

3. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski. A mute takes refuge with three dogs in the Wisconsin woods after his father's death.

5. A Most Wanted Man, by John le Carre'. Intelligence agencies involved in the war on terror converge in Hamburg when a young Muslim man with mysterious connections shows up.

7. Heat Lightning, by John Sandford. Virgil Flowers investigates murder cases linked by a lemon in the mouth of each victim.

8. The Pirate King, R.A. Salvatore. In book 2 of the Transitions fantasy series, Drizzi returns to Luskan, a city dominated by dangerous pirates.

9. A Wallflower Christmas, Lisa Kleypas. Matchmaking in Victorian London.

10. The Other Queen, by Philippa Gregory. The captivity of Mary, Queen of Scots, at the hands of Queen Elizabeth.

11. The Host, by Stephenie Meyer. Aliens have taken control of the minds and bodies of most humans, but one woman won't surrender.

12. The Fire, by Katherine Neville. The most powerful piece of Charlemagne's chess service has reappeared, restarting the Game; a sequel to "The Eight."

14. A Cedar Cove Christmas, by Debbie Macomber. A pregnant woman shows up in Cedar Cove on Christmas Eve and goes into labor in a room above a stable.

15. The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane. Two families in a turbulent Boston at the end of World War I.


Nonfiction

1. The Snowball, by Alice Schroeder. The life of Warren Buffett.

2. A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity, by Bill O'Reilly. The Fox News commentator on his upbringing and career.

3. Dewey, by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter. The kitten left freezing in the returned-book slot of an Iowa public library and his rise to fame.

4. Here's the Story, by Maureen McCormick. The life of the actress who played Marcia Brady.

6. Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Thomas L. Friedman. How a green revolution can renew America, by the New York Times columnist.

7. Letter to My Daughter, by Maya angelou. Reminiscences, appreciations and poems from the author of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

10. Pieces of My Heart, by Robert J. Wagner with Scott Eyman. The movie star offers a memoir of his life, his marriages and his work.

11. The War Within, by Bob Woodward. White House debates over the Iraq war, 2006-08.

15. Tried by War, by James M. McPherson. Abraham Lincoln as commander in chief, from the author of "Battle Cry of Freedom."

16. Boys Will Be Boys, by Jeff Pearlman. The Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys of the 1990's.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Ghosts and Goblins Take Over Your Library!

Today is Halloween and several of the staff members dressed up as Militant Librarians. Aren't they scary!

And then the children from the Presbyterian Play School and their parents came trick or treating. Click here to see how cute they were. These children are regulars at the Library because they're right next door.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Your Library Has a Blog!

Welcome to our new blog. We are so high tech! Your Library always strives to bring you the latest in technology - within our budget of course.

We wanted to be able to tell you what's happening at your Library - and have you tell us what you're thinking. This blog can do both. All our staff members will be able to write articles about their plans and activities. And you can write comments to us.

So start by letting us know what you think about the blog - and then give us any ideas you have for making your Library just the way you want it. Just click where it says comments.

We will also be featuring a monthly poll - look for it off to the right. This month we want to know how you use your Library. You can select more than one choice in this one. Be sure to vote in our poll.