Auburn (Natchez, Mississippi)

Auburn is an Federal mansion in Duncan Park in Natchez, Mississippi. It was designed and constructed by Levi Weeks in 1812, and introduced academic Classical order architecture in the Mississippi territory. Its prominent two-story portico served as a model for the subsequent architectural development of local and nationally important mansions. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974[2][4] and a Mississippi Landmark in 1984.[3] [5]

Auburn
Auburn mansion in April 2011
Auburn (Natchez, Mississippi) is located in Mississippi
Auburn (Natchez, Mississippi)
Auburn (Natchez, Mississippi) is located in the United States
Auburn (Natchez, Mississippi)
LocationDuncan Park, Natchez, Mississippi
Coordinates31.54565°N 91.390733°W / 31.54565; -91.390733
Area4.2 acres (1.7 ha)
Built1812 (1812)
ArchitectLevi Weeks
Architectural styleFederal style
NRHP reference No.74001047
USMS No.001-NAT-4002-NHL-ML
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 30, 1974[1]
Designated NHLMay 30, 1974[2]
Designated USMSJanuary 5, 1984[3]

Description

Auburn is a two-story brick building, with a Palladio exterior and Regencia interior, constructed of a central core and flanking symmetrical wings. A four-column temple front adorns the center of the block, with modified Ionic columns supporting an entablature and fully pedimented gable. The gable has modillioned cornices and an oval window at its center. The main entrance is set in a segmented-arch opening along with flanking sidelight windows and a transom window above. Sheltered by the temple portico is a second floor balcony, which is accessed via a three sash window, the earliest of the type in the city.[4]

History

In 1811, Lyman Harding, the first Attorney General of Mississippi, hired Levi Weeks, a young architect, to design and build the mansion. The original building was 60 feet (18 m) by 45 feet (14 m) with a two-story portico supported by four columns and includes an unusual floating spiral staircase between the first and second floors.[6] Levi Weeks designed the house to be, in his words, the "most magnificent building in the state."[4]

After Harding died in 1820, the building was bought by Dr. Stephen Duncan, who expanded the house to include two symmetrical wings, greatly expanding interior space. Duncan later abandoned the building amidst growing secession tensions just before the American Civil War, and the house was placed in the care of his descendants.

The building and 203 acres (82 ha) was donated by the family to the city of Natchez in 1911 and is now a historic house museum in a public park. The donation also included the Duncan family furnishings, which the city quickly and unfortunately sold. [6][4] The grounds were converted by the City of Natchez into Duncan Park.[7]

Auburn mansion in 1936

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Auburn". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2007.
  3. "Mississippi Landmarks" (PDF). Mississippi Department of Archives and History. May 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  4. Paul Goeldner (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Auburn" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 2 photos, 1 exterior and 1 interior, from 1973. (507 KB)
  5. https://www.historicauburn.org
  6. "Auburn Museum and Historic Home". Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  7. On, Best Books (1938). Mississippi; a Guide to the Magnolia State. ISBN 9781623760236.
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