getaway Mississippi Pilgrimages

Story: Ray Van Dusen Photos: Courtesty of Aberdeen Visitors Bureau & Visit Holly Springs

Aberdeen, MS, will celebrate its 45th annual Southern Heritage Pilgrimage Apr. 3-5. Along with 10 historic homes open to the public, the weekend will feature events such as the Lies and Legends tour, evening candlelight tours and carriage rides. aberdeen

The centerpiece of the event is the home tours, during which owners of Antebellum, Victorian and American Foursquare architecture houses will open their doors to visitors. In addition to the architecture, guests will be impressed with period-appropriate furnishings and stories of the history of the homes. Notable Aberdeenians once called these places home, and their stories are just as intriguing as the houses.

At The Magnolias, visitors can learn about the War Between the States with Civil War reenactors who camp on the grounds throughout Pilgrimage weekend. They’ve been known to bring an authentic Civil War-era cannon, cook over an open fire and fire rounds from their rifles just as soldiers would during the war.

In addition to visiting the tour homes, Pilgrimage ticket holders can view Aberdeen’s quaint downtown during a horse-drawn open air carriage ride, included with admission. The tours originate at the First Baptist Church and wind down the tree-lined boulevard to historical districts, passing a number of other important homes not featured on the Pilgrimage tour.

The Lies and Legends tour at the Old Aberdeen Cemetery is a perennial favorite part of the Pilgrimage. Every year, Aberdeen High School students don period clothing to depict some of the notable people buried in the graveyard. From a woman accused of witchcraft to a lady buried in her rocking chair, the stories students tell give visitors an insider’s track on the town’s history. The event is held at night by candlelight.

Just as Aberdeen’s beautiful homes date back in history, many of the town’s churches have rich historical value and will be open for tours the weekend of the Pilgrimage.

Aberdeen’s Pilgrimage always offers numerous dining options. Riverview Garden Club will host its annual fundraiser luncheon Friday, and Boy Scout Troop 39’s pancake breakfast will begin the day’s activities Saturday.

Pilgrimage visitors will have the opportunity to take a break at the Aberdeen Main Street Depot, which was officially dedicated last summer. The former railroad depot was transformed into not only the local Main Street Association office but a destination that hosts the town’s farmers market and the semi-annual farm-to-table dinner.

For more information about Aberdeen’s Pilgrimage and to purchase tickets, visit www.aberdeenpilgrimage.org or call the Aberdeen Visitors Bureau at 662.369.9440.

Holly Springs, MS, will welcome guests Apr. 17-19 for its 82nd Pilgrimage Tour of Homes. Hosted each year by the Holly Springs Garden Club, this year’s event will feature four historic homes as well as, church and museum tours, a luncheon, Sunday brunch and a cemetery tour. All proceeds benefit the renovation and preservation of Montrose Mansion. Holly Springs

The oldest home on the tour is Crump Place, built in 1837 by Samuel McCorkle, Marshall County’s first banker and the first land commissioner to the Native Americans. It’s the birthplace of former U.S. Congressman and Memphis Mayor Edward H. Crump. The home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Donnelly, who have resided there since 2016.

Live Oaks was built in 1848 and is now home to Mr. and Mrs. Mike McCarter, who bought it in 2015 and renamed it from Lindon Lodge. Eagleston Smith rebuilt the home in 1881 after a fire damaged it. Its original owner, Walter Goodman, was president of the MS Gulf Railroad and co-owner of Memphis’ famed Peabody Hotel.

Walter Place was built in 1860 for Harvey Washington Walter, who was pro-Union and the president of the Mississippi Central Railroad. During part of the Civil War, it was a temporary home for Ulysses S. Grant and his wife. The home is now owned by Mr. Terry L. Cook.

The Rather-Douglas House, built in 1919 by Lytle A. Rather II, is the newest construction on the tour. The home remained in the Rather family until 1975 when Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Douglas purchased it. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp McCullar bought it in 2015, and Mr. and Mrs. Kelton Morris reside there now.

In addition to these homes, three churches—Christ Episcopal Church, Anderson Chapel C.M.E. Church and First United Methodist Church—will be open for tours Friday and Saturday at various times. Marshall County Historic Museum, Church of the Yellow Fever Martyrs Museum and Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum will also be tour destinations.

Guests at the Plant It Pink luncheon Friday will enjoy a homemade meal and receive a free packet of zinnia seeds. A portion of the proceeds will benefit breast cancer awareness and Relay for Life. Seatings for groups of 20 and more are available upon request for Saturday.

During a special event Saturday evening, visitors will gather for cocktails at Montrose Mansion before embarking on a tour of Hillcrest Cemetery, where characters will come to life. Following the tour, guests will return to Montrose for a reception and cash bar. On Sunday, guests will enjoy a Southern Sunday Brunch at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Reservations are preferred.

To purchase tickets and for more information about the Holly Springs Pilgrimage, go to hollyspringsmsgardenclub.com or email hollyspringspilgrimage@gmail.com.