Stanton Hall: A Beautiful Home in Natchez, Mississippi

Ornamental wrought iron displayed on Stanton Hall’s façade is a distinct feature on many older Southern homes in Mississippi, Louisiana, and parts of South Carolina. The entry porch has classical cast-iron Corinthian columns. The two-story Greek-temple-style portico with first and second-floor wrought-iron balconies is at the entryway, but a two-story balcony made entirely of wrought iron is on one side of the mansion. Central on the hipped roof is a large, arched-window cupola. (Public Domain)

Many mid-19th-century Southern mansions have succumbed to neglect, but that’s not the case for Stanton Hall. Varied architectural styles, exceptional craftsmanship, and rich period furnishings are on full display at this Natchez, Mississippi, historic site.

Situated on a two-acre city block, the Greek Revival style mansion was designed by Natchez-based builder Thomas Rose and completed in 1857. It was the home of one the most affluent merchant and cotton planter families in pre-Civil War Natchez: Frederick and Hulda Stanton.

Wrought iron fencing and sculpted gates surround the property. The palatial interior has a Gothic-style 72-foot by 16-foot entryway hallway encompassing 1,100 square feet. Throughout are opulent millwork and carvings, imported marble, and artistic lighting fixtures. The mansion is 14,000 square feet—that’s 10 times the size of many middle-class homes.

The 1980s television series “North and South” was partially filmed inside Stanton Hall. The Pilgrimage Garden Club has owned and maintained the historic mansion since 1938.

A hand-forged, decorative wrought-iron gate and columns topped with urn finials greet visitors to Stanton Hall. Oaks line and shade the sweeping driveway that leads to a side view of the mansion’s entrance. The exterior features colossal two-story columns with acanthus leaf capitals. Atop them rests a grand entablature (classic horizontal support) and gabled pediment accented with classic dental molding. (Courtesy of The Pilgrimage Garden Club)

Also called the Music Room (or the Gentleman's Parlor), the main parlor is one of two at Stanton Hall. The cast bronze gasoliers have winged cherubs holding the etched-glass lighting globes that are adorned with floral designs. An inset arched window is draped with layered curtains. (Courtesy of The Pilgrimage Garden Club)

Hand-carved and painted cypress walls and ceiling carvings define the second parlor at Natchez Hall, called the Ladies Parlor. Elaborate and layered door and ceiling moldings as well as the chandelier ceiling medallions accent the room. The carpet is a recreation of an 1850s original Natchez pattern. Sumptuous draperies are set off by three center-room arches supported by classical columns. (Courtesy of The Pilgrimage Garden Club)

The hand-carved renaissance revival-style furnishings fill Frederick Stanton’s library office. A gasolier lighting fixture is operated with coal gas. These ornamental fixtures of cast bronze and etched glass are original throughout the mansion. The one here features dragons, knights, and armor, representing power. A floor-to-ceiling French gilt mirror is set near a draped window. (Courtesy of The Pilgrimage Garden Club)

The 35-foot dining room’s matching coal-burning fireplaces are white Italian Carrara marble festooned with carvings of cherubs, flowers, leaves, grapes, and pears. The cast bronze gasoliers decorated with eagles, corn, and oak trees reflect Native American culture. The gasolier poles emerge from dainty vinelike ceiling medallion designs. Simple but deep-set dental molding lines the ceiling. Reproduction fringed window treatments hang from a layer of moldings ornamented with small bas reliefs and sculpture-like decorations. (Courtesy of The Pilgrimage Garden Club)

All the second-floor bedrooms at Stanton Hall have 14-foot ceilings and 9-foot doors and windows. The focal point of Hulda Stanton’s cream-hued bedroom is her original carved and marble-topped dressing table. A unique feature of this table, besides the cut-out wood carvings, is the curved and scrolled legs. (Courtesy of The Pilgrimage Garden Club)

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