75th Anniversary Ceremony- May 18, 2013

The 75th Anniversary of the Natchez Trace Parkway was celebrated exactly 75 years from the day the Natchez Trace Parkway became an independent unit of the National Park System.  Longtime supporters, legislators, NPS and Federal Highway Administration officials recognized the efforts that made the parkway a reality.  As Senator Roger Wicker reminded the crowd, it may seem now that completion of the parkway was inevitable, but for many years, people doubted that it would ever be finished.  Malcolm Gardner, Jr., whose father was the first Natchez Trace Parkway superintendent, and Stephen Harriman, who father was its first chief ranger, attended the ceremony.  Harry Martin and Jean Ratliff, who were critical parts of the “Finish the Trace” work that completed the motor road were present.  The public enjoyed a vintage car show, Choctaw culture, living history, as well as musical entertainment.

NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 030 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 038 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 044 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 060 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 067 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 068 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 069 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 071 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 080 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 081 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 106 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 139 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 141 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 187 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 196 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 197 NATCHEZ TRACE 75TH 211

Expedition Natchez 1813: Becoming “Old Hickory”

Expedition Natchez Sunday-Tuesday 280Expedition Natchez Saturday 149Expedition Natchez Saturday 009Expedition Natchez Sunday-Tuesday 471Expedition Natchez 1813 2Expedition Natchez Saturday 233Expedition Natchez Sunday-Tuesday 351FlagIMG_6421Expedition Natchez CampfireExpedition Natchez French CampAndrew Jackson's Troops Return Home on the Natchez TraceExpedition Natchez Saturday 2 251  Expedition Natchez Saturday 2 192Expedition Natchez 1813.  War of 1812 Memorial SiteNatchez Expediton Wreath on Andrew Jackson's Grave

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.

Bicentennial Hickory Trees Planted on the Bicentennial of the 1813 Natchez Expedition

 1.  Natchez Bluff at the DAR Marker2. Historic Jefferson College- Fort Dearborn3.  Camp Jackson- Eliz. Female Academy   4. Choctaw Agency 5. French Camp7. Pontotoc8. Colbert Ferry  .9.  War of 1812 Memorial Site10.  The Hermitage

To commemorate the bicentennial of the 1813 Natchez Expedition for the War of 1812, and to acknowledge that Andrew Jackson became “Old Hickory” on the return march, the Natchez Trace Parkway Association planted bicentennial Hickory trees at sites associated with the expedition     The history of the expedition was recounted at events, and the assistance  the Chickasaws and Choctaws provided to help Jackson and his troops was acknowledged.  He became “Old Hickory” with their help.

Thanks to the DAR, the U.S. Daughters of 1812 and the Pontotoc Historical Society for sponsoring the trees, and to Greg Smith, and the National Park Service for their help in planting them on sites on the parkway and to the Hermitage for its help in planting the tree at its site.

Trees were also planted near Jackson’s camp site on the old trace in Pontotoc and at Grinder’s Stand, where troops were dismissed.  The design for markers for the trees is in progress.

Special thanks for the donations of the trees from the following:

1.  Natchez on the Bluff-  Natchez Chapter DAR

2.  Historic Jefferson College- Fort Dearborn- Pathfinder Chapter DAR of Port Gibson, MS

3.  Camp Jackson (Elizabeth Female Academy) – James Gilliam Chapter  DAR of Marks, MS

4.  Choctaw Agency – Rebbecca Cravat Chapter DAR of .Jackson, MS
5.  French Camp- Samuel Hammond Chapter of Kosciusko, MS
6.  Old Natchez Trace near Jackson’s Springs- Pontotoc Historical Society (not pictured)
7.  Colbert Ferry – Chief Colbert Chapter DAR of Tuscumbia, AL
8.  Meriwether Lewis Site-  Tennessee Society DAR- (not pictured)
9.  War of 1812 Memorial Site-  Tennessee Society U.S. Daughters of 1812
10.  The Hermitage- Tennessee Society U.S. Daughters of 1812

2012 Annual Meeting

natchez 75th 017 natchez 75th 048natchez 75th 094  IMG_2413Natchez Trace Parkway 75 2 043 Natchez Trace Parkway 75 2 085 Natchez Trace Parkway 75 2 025Natchez Trace Parkway 75 2 086 100_0861

1937 Parkway Inaugural at Brandon Hall

Natchez Trace Parkway 75 2 003Natchez Trace Parkway 75 2 106 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.

 

 

 

War of 1812 Memorial Site And Monument Dedication

  IMG_1352IMG_1413 .IMG_1390IMG_1457

On the bicentennial of U.S. declaration of war against the British, the U.S. Daughters of 1812 dedicated a monument honoring the soldiers who marched and died on the Natchez Trace during the war.  Superintendent Cam Sholly announced that the site would be renamed the “War of 1812 Memorial Site.”  A large stone wall separates the site from the parkway and creates a contemplative space on the hilltop.  The visitor is guided by the road and a sidewalk to the crest of the hill along a section of the old trace where the monument may be viewed.

Muster on the Natchez Trace 1812

IMG_0961 IMG_1053 IMG_1034 IMG_0979 IMG_0907  IMG_1109IMG_0816 fife and drum IMG_0991 IMG_1138 IMG_1154

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.