Natchez National Historical Park

Two story brick mansion with columns
Melrose and its landscape present a comprehensive picture of the Southern planter class and the enslaved people who lived and worked there.
Two story brick townhouse
The William Johnson House provides a window into the life of a free man of color whose published diary and personal papers provide a detailed account of daily life in the antebellum south.
One story wood frame house with two doors and two windows
One of two remaining slave cabins at the Melrose estate
Room containing very simple wood table and chair, and baby cradle with fireplace in background
The furnished slave cabin at Melrose helps to illustrate the daily life of the enslaved.
room with tall windows and fireplace, round table containing lamp and surrounded by chairs
Visitors to the William Johnson House can see many original furnishings.
Photos: National Park Service

About Natchez National Historical Park

Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Historical Park
Park State / Territory MembershipMississippi
Current Alerts4
Visitor Centers3
Campgrounds0
Things To Do6

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

Spring: Temperatures usually range from 50 F to 83 F. Rain is common. Summer: Temperatures usually range from 70 F to 95 F. Rain and sun are equally common. On very sunny days, be prepared with plenty of water - heat exhaustion is common if you are not prepared. Fall:…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Mississippi. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

The Natchez Visitor Center is currently closed due to the installation of a new HVAC system. Melrose is open 7 days a week with guided tours of the mansion at 10:00, 11:00 am, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00. Reservations for the tour should be made on Recreation.gov. The first floor of the William Johnson House is open although the second floor containing the family living quarters remains closed at this time. The Fort Rosalie site is open daily from sunup to sundown, as is the Forks of the Road site.

Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Guided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs

Current Alerts

William Johnson House Reopens!

The first floor exhibit hall of the William Johnson House is now open to the public daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Due to construction, the second floor family living quarters remain closed at this time.

Melrose Mansion Guided Tours

Reservations for guided tours of the mansion must be made on Recreation.gov. The tour is $11.00 and are at 10, 11, 2, 3, and 4; masks are optional. The estate is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The grounds and outbuildings are free.

Natchez Visitor Center Closed

The Natchez Visitor Center is closed for the renovation of the public lobby area. For those seeking visitor information, we direct you to VisitNatchez at the Depot on Boundary Street. Or their website, VisitNatchez.org. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Face masks are now optional

As Covid-related numbers have dipped below the CDC determined High Rate of Transmission in Adams County, Mississippi, face masks are no longer required in all NPS buildings at Natchez National Historical Park. Wearing of face masks is optional.

Getting There

Natchez National Historical Park Headquarters and the Natchez Visitor Center is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and Canal Street in Natchez, MS. Melrose Estate is located at 1 Melrose-Montebello Parkway, Natchez, MS 39120. The William Johnson House is located at 212 State Street, Natchez, MS 39120.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed Address640 South Canal Street, Natchez, MS, 39120

Topics & Themes

African American HeritageEnslavementNative American HeritageTragic EventsMurders

Things To Do

Explore Melrose

Explore Melrose

Explore one of the best-preserved suburban estates in the Deep South from the pre-civil war era.

Natchez Civil War Sites Driving Tour

Natchez Civil War Sites Driving Tour

Take a driving tour of Civil War sites in Natchez. Your voyage will wind you through historic Natchez, highlighting only…

Natchez Visitor Center

Natchez Visitor Center

The Natchez Visitor Center provides information on tours, exhibits, gardens, trails, activities, and events. The experienced staff can help you…

Visit the William Johnson House

Visit the William Johnson House

The William Johnson House offers visitors the opportunity to connect with a free man of color and his family during…

Visit Forks of the Road

Visit Forks of the Road

From 1833 to 1863, Forks of the Road was the second largest slave market in the Deep South. Tens of…

See Fort Rosalie

See Fort Rosalie

Discover how the town of Natchez came to be as you explore Fort Rosalie.

Visitor Centers

Natchez Visitor Center

The Natchez Visitor Reception Center is owned, operated and maintained by the National Park Service. The building also serves as the official southern terminus and…

Melrose Visitor Center

Located in the former kitchen building for the estate, the Melrose Visitor Center is the visitor contact station at the site. Tickets for the mansion…

William Johnson House Visitor Center

This visitor contact station at the William Johnson House site is located in the two-and-a-half story brick building known as the McCallum House which is…

Nearby Cities for Trip Planning

These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.

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