The Natchez Trace Parkway Association commemorated the bicentennial of the 1813 Natchez Expedition on the Natchez Trace Parkway through a ten-day living history event from Natchez to Nashville.  The event re-created events from the landing of the troops at Natchez and the parade through the city, the encampment at Fort Dearborn, camp sites at Brashears’ Stand and the Choctaw Agency, a ceremonial crossing of the Tennessee River at Colbert Ferry and the dismissal of the troops at Grinder’s Stand.  Along the way, ceremonies were held in the Old Mississippi State Capitol building and at the War of 1812 Memorial Site, Tuscumbia  and  the Hermitage.    A period reception for the troops was held at the Natchez Prentiss Club and a period dinner was hosted at the Eola Hotel.  Ladies held an 1813 tea at Auburn Historic House.  Education camps reached about 2,000 students in Mississippi.

1937 Parkway Inaugural at Brandon Hall

The Nathcez Trace Parkway Association celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Inaugural of the Natchez Trace Parkway on October 18, 1937 at Brandon Hall Plantation in Natchez by returning to Brandon Hall for the 2012 Annual Meeting.  Special honor was given to Roane Fleming Byrnes, who served as president of the Association from 1934 to 1969.  A plaque was unveiled at her grave.  The Natchez Trace Ball, a popular fundraiser in the early years, was recreated at the Natchez Eola Hotel, with music from the period.  Returning to the same porch at Brandon Hall where the ceremony was held in 1937, the Association honored its early founders whose vision and persistence made the parkway dream a reality.   The Memorial Park area on the parkway, created during the 1937 inaugural event with treess planted by the states and by the U.S. and Mexican governments, was restored.  A 75th Anniversary tree was planted near the remaining 1937 tree, planted by New Orleans Times-Picayune editor George Healey in 1937,  Mrs. Byrnes neices,, and Mr. Hollis, who was present at the 1937 ceremony, assisted in the planting. Also, as in 1937, a barbeque at Brandon Hall concluded the event.  Thanks  to the Garber family for their hospitality at Brandon Hall.

The Natchez Trace Parkway Association, in partnership with the 7th U.S. Living History Association and the National Park Service, began a four-year living history program on the parkway to re-enact events associated with its role in the War of 1812.  Captain John Gordon’s house and ferry site was the location of the Memorial Day 2012 event “Muster on the Natchez Trace 1812.”    As in the spring of 1812, a muster was held of volunteer militia, when word arrived that a settler had been taken hostage.  A debate ensued over whether the nation should go to war.  Military recruiters enlisted volunteers, as fife and drum musicians created a patriotic mood.  A period church service was held before the soldiers marched from their families to meet the enemy.  A memorial was held for Captain Gordon.  Members of his family were present.  Captain Gordon was the Captian of the Company of Spies for Andrew Jackson.  General Jackson sent Gordon as the sole spy into Spanish-held Pensacola.    Based upon the intelligence that Captain Gordon provided, Jackson attacked Pensacola.  Jackson noted that Captiain Gordon frequently moved to the front of action during battle.  Gordon moved with his family from Nashville to the ferry site in 1812, as war was threatened.