Outbuildings on the grounds of Natchez National Historical Park

There are six large outbuildings on the grounds of Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi, plus a couple of smaller buildings, including a former outhouse. Most of these are open, and some have exhibits inside.

The two identical buildings located at the back of Melrose Mansion were used as a kitchen and a dairy / laundry building. Slaves who worked in the buildings lived on the top floors. Today the kitchen building serves as the Visitor Center for Natchez National Historical Park.

Former kitchen and slave quarters, now the Natchez National Historical Park Visitor Center

Laundry and Dairy building as seen from the balcony of Melrose Mansion

As you work your way further into what would be the back yard of Melrose Mansion, you will see two other buildings that look similar. They are also former slave quarters. Today, the building on the left houses park offices and the building on the right is open to the public and contains an exhibit on slavery. However, before you groan about another slavery exhibit, this one is unique in that it focuses on the slaves who lived at Melrose—house slaves and servants instead of the field hands that most people think of when the word slave is used. The exhibit brings to the forefront many things you may have briefly heard about slavery, but were always overshadowed by cotton pickers and whippings. In addition, one of the rooms has been furnished as it might have been before the Civil War. An audio commentary discusses slave life at Melrose, where as many as 25 slaves worked daily as cooks, butlers, chauffeurs, gardeners, and maids.

Slave quarters at Melrose Plantation with slavery exhibit inside

Former slave quarters at Melrose Plantation, now a park office

Slavery exhibit inside the slave quarters at Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

The plantation’s stable and carriage house are also open. There’s not much to see in the stable, but the carriage house has four old carriages on display.

Stable at Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

Inside the Melrose Plantation stable

Carriage House at Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

Carriages of Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

Carriages of Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

Other buildings on the grounds of Melrose Plantation include a cistern building where water was stored and an outhouse behind the slave quarters.

Cistern building at Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

Outhouse at Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

Inside the outhouse at Melrose Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi

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