Vicksburg's "Architectural Gold"

The beautiful historic town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, is a treasure trove of what I call “architectural art.” It's everywhere … in windows and doors, columns, statues and monuments, houses, both great and small, and churches.  I have captured hundreds of pictures of these architectural wonders, and would like to share a few photos which I enhanced with Photoshop.  I call this collection "Architectural Gold."

Bloom Fountain, with

Old Court House Museum in Background

Columns, Old Feld House, ca 1913

The Golden Eagle atop the Illinois State Memorial

Vicksburg National Military Park

Old Court House Museum

 

 

  St. Paul Catholic Church

 Old Depot

First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg

 

Church of the Holy Trinity

Sisters of Mercy Convent

I never tire of capturing Vicksburg's architectural treasures.  I invite you to join me next time to see some of the houses that line the streets of our neighborhoods.  From magnificent antebellum mansions to tiny cottages, they are all richly steeped in the history of Vicksburg ... and some have battle scars to prove it.

Mississippi Welcomes You in Style!

Welcome to Mississippi!

The signs say, "Welcome to Mississippi," and there are thirteen Welcome Centers in Mississippi, each built to resemble the grand antebellum structures for which our state is famous. Each center is decorated with fine antique furnishings from the antebellum period, and is the epitome of what southern hospitality is all about ... its friendly staff ready and able to greet guests and answer any questions they may have.

The beautiful Welcome Center here in Vicksburg stands high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River on one of the state's most significant historic sites. Native Indians, explorers, and early settlers all traveled this bluff, and flatboats, keel boats, and elegant steamboats all stopped here during the Civil War.

The center is very popular with photographers, who have captured thousands of glorious sunsets from its veranda overlooking the river. I recently visited the welcome center, not to photograph the river, but to capture the center itself.

Back View, overlooking the Mississippi River

This is the view that is one of the most, if not THE most,

photographed scenes in Vicksburg ... the twin bridges.

The interior of the Welcome Center is elegantly decorated,

featuring antique furniture, fine oil paintings, and beautiful architectural details.

I was very impressed with the building and furnishings, the friendliness of the staff (one of the ladies has been with the center for 27 years!), and the gracious welcome I received.  If you ever pass this way, I hope you will take the time to stop and visit our beautiful Welcome Center, have a cup of coffee, and experience true southern hospitality for yourself. I think you will come away with a new impression of this wonderful state we call home … Mississippi.

And, if you have the time, I encourage you to tour our beautiful city of Vicksburg.  It is truly a treasure trove of architectural works of art, history, and southern culture at its finest.

The Goldfinches are Here!

The goldfinches are in Vicksburg! 

My mother called me from Monroe, Louisiana this morning and told me they have goldfinches. I looked out my window while I was on the phone with her and, sure enough … there was a finch sitting in our feeder eating sunflower seeds, bless his heart! I put some finch food in our finch feeder and it didn’t take long for them to find it. They’re not bright gold yet, but are such a welcome sight. 

Meanwhile, our cardinals were happily

munching away on sunflower seeds. 

Please don’t forget your birds. 

They need us -- especially this time of year!