Submitted by FHMaster on Sat, 12/17/2016 - 20:38

Auburn is an Antebellum Greek Revival mansion in Duncan Park in Natchez, Mississippi. It was designed and constructed by Levi Weeks in 1812, the first planned building in the town.[4] It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974[3][5] and a Mississippi Landmark in 1984.[1]

In 1811, Lyman Harding, the first Attorney General of Mississippi, hired Levi Weeks, a young self-proclaimed 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.[4] Levi Weeks designed the house to be, in his words, the "most magnificent building in the state."[5]

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 222 acres (90 ha) was sold by the family to the city of Natchez in 1911 and is now a historic house museum in a public park.[4][5]

Auburn, Auburn Boulevard, Duncan Memorial Park, Natchez vicinity (Adams County, Mississippi).jpg 

158 items, 2 ms. vols. Location: S:120. Planter and banker of Natchez. Duncan plantations included L'Argent, Auburn, Camperdown, Carlisle, Duncan, Duncannon, Duncansby, Ellisle, Homochitto, Middlesex, Oakley, Rescue, Reserve, and Attakapas...Papers include legal documents, bills, and receipts. A daybook includes lists of slaves present at Homochitto Plantation. Manuscript Resources on the History of Music, Drama, and Other Performing Arts in the Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections Hill Memorial Library, LSU http://www.lib.lsu.edu/special/guides/perfarts.html

 

 

Location
Natchez
State
County
GeoCoord
31.54505°N 91.39286°W
Owners
Stephen Duncan
Founded
1812
Status
Active
Address
400 Duncan Avenue, Natchez, MS
NRHP Ref Number
74001047