Description:

Magnolia Hall is a beautiful mansion built in 1858 by Thomas Henderson (January 9, 1798 – March 6, 1863), a wealthy planter, merchant, and cotton broker. Magnolia Hall was the last grand Natchez house to be built before the Civil War, and it is one of the finest examples of the Greek Revival style in Natchez.

The Hendersons were a prominent pioneer family originally migrating from Scotland in 1770, owning numerous plantations in Natchez and helping found the Presbyterian Church in Natchez in 1807.

In 1976, the house was deeded as a gift to the Natchez Garden Club who completed a restoration of the house during the years following its acquisition. Today Magnolia Hall is owned and maintained by the Natchez Garden Club, which, in the 1930s, began a movement to restore, preserve and promote the historic homes of Natchez. The club has acquired many of the original Henderson furnishings and artifacts.

Thomas Henderson died on March 6, 1863 in the downstairs bedroom of Magnolia Hall as the result of a paralytic stroke. His body was carried out and laid to rest at the Natchez City Cemetery, but it seems his spirit never left his beautiful house. Tour guides and volunteers speak of mysterious footsteps, shadows, flickering lights, sightings of “great shouldered, shadowy figure” standing at the top of the stairs, finding indentations in a bed that had been made earlier in the day and the impression of a head in the pillows, and photographs showing possible paranormal activity.

Magnolia Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is open year round for touring Monday through Saturday. There is an excellent gift shop on the premises.