Longwood

This was probably our favorite tour of any of the antebellum homes in Natchez. Mona, who did the tour was really entertaining and knowledgeable about the history of not just the house but the area. We had a great time and would definitely go back. Makes me wonder what the upper floors would have been like if they'd been completed.

What a shame this home was never finished past the lower level. That being said, the upper levels are quite amazing as is. To look up and see the bones of this structure was awesome. Our guide Kay is very well versed on the history and hardship of this family. Enjoyed it very much.

Beautiful piece of history preserved in its unfinished state. The house is beautiful and the tour is a must if you love history!

One of my very favorite Natchez homes to tour. It is sad how it's still incomplete, but it gives us a very rare opportunity to look up the skirts of an antebellum belle.

Amazing tour!!!!Amazing house!!!! Highly recommended taking a tour. Pay at the gate. Cute gift shop, they even sell honey from the 🐝 from the property, too.

Our guide was great. Gave us stories to remember and no just facts. Really enjoyed all the aspects of the "unfinished" mansion.

Great guided tour!! Wonderful park surrounding the building, so peaceful and beautiful! The house was not terminated back then and it is super interesting to see the “skeleton” (it’s a brick structure) of the building in the inside!

Pricey but worth it! $25 for adults children free Wonderful tour guides, very informative, beautiful grounds!

I am not sure exactly what I was expecting when I wanted to visit this house, but this way exceeded my expectations. Driving up, you leave the main road, pay at the gate house, then drive along a winding gravel road and park at the back of the house. You go into the gift shop and show your receipt that you got from the gate house. They walk you into the first floor, or what the original owners intended to be the basement. Except for the center, all rooms around intended to be various rooms for entertainment and so forth but ended up being the living area for the family. It was wonderfully decorated. Then you go upstairs, and you can see that despite the outside of the house looking as if it was all intact, it was incomplete. The war between the states was underway when it came time to work on the main portion of the house, so you can see the bones of the structure and how things should have been. It was amazing and breathtaking. Outside, if you pay attention, you can see the fingerprints of the enslaved on the bricks as all bricks were made and fired on site. The details are amazing. I would recommend for anyone in the area.

The story behind this house is absolutely amazing and the tour guides do suchhh a good job telling it. 10 out of 10 recommended touring this historical home. Ok now for a history lesson: Longwood (also known as Nutt's Folly) -the largest octagonal house in the United States. This 6 story, 30,000 square foot mansion was designed by Samuel Sloan, a well-known architect from Philadelphia for cotton baron Haller Nutt and his wife, Julia. Construction began in 1860, but came to an abrupt halt when the "War Between the States" broke out in 1861 due to the workers being from the Union state, Pennsylvania. The exterior was mostly complete but the home's interior was left unfinished. Between February and July 1862, using his own slaves, Nutt finished the 8 room basement level. The interior walls were plastered and the present floor was installed. The Nutt family then moved into this completed section of the mansion. In the fall of 1863 the Union armies devastated Haller Nutt's Louisiana plantations, causing him a loss of $1,020,540.07. He died of pneumonia in 1864. Julia and his 8 children continued to live on the finished 1st floor. Because Nutt was a recognized supporter of the Union, his heirs (between 1866-1911) were eventually able to collect a total of $188,269.66 as partial compensation from the US Government for Nutt's losses. Once completed, the home would have had 32 rooms, 26 fireplaces, 115 doors and 96 columns. The rotunda was designed to have a system of mirrors inside the cupola to reflect sunlight down. Also, the shape of the cupola was designed to pull hot air upward, creating an updraft drawing fresh air through the lower floors. The property was deeded to the Pilgrimage Garden Club in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

Our 2nd time here, today we had Irish as a tour guide. She was very well spoken and we learned a lot of interesting facts of a quite interesting place. Worth it!!!

An amazing piece of history that has been wonderfully preserved. This home is truly a piece of art and it's very unfortunate that construction was halted and the house left unfinished during the war. I would love to see the finished product. That being said, the unfinished skeleton of the upper floors offers a fantastic glimpse into the intricate bones of the mansion. Kirby was our tour guide and provided great insight into the history of the home and the family. This is the most spectacular home or mansion that I have visited in our country. Highly recommend this tour of the home and the grounds.

Absolutely amazing tour. beautiful! Totally amazing historical structure. You have to see this one. So different because of the struggle of the family. I literally shed a tear because it touched my heart.. Our tour guide Jerry was wonderful and very Informative. I will be back!

Beautiful piece of history! Must see when in Natchez. Must do the tour. The smells, sights and sounds.

The building was stunning upon arrival. First impression drops your jaw. After you pay your $18 and go in you realize that the top 5 floors are incomplete. Not just not unfinished or unfurnished. They are raw. Framed in but all you get is bricks and wood. Some of the abandoned tools . Our tour guide was snarky and Allll-most rude. There is only access to the first 2 of the 6 floors. The grounds are manicured but not beautiful. No lush or beautiful gardens. No sign of the 10000 rose bushes rumored to have been planted once upon a time. Still that building in massive (finished it would have been 30,000 ft). And the experience was definitely worth it for me.

Oh my gosh! This mansion is unfinished BUT...it is breath-takingly beautiful, unique, with awesome grounds, nice gift shop and an impressive, fascinating history. This mansion isn't in close proximity to the other mansions but it's just a short drive and easy to find. John, our tour guide, was fascinating to listen to. He told of The Nutt family who built the mansion and how the effects of The Civil War changed the plans to finish it. The Nutt Family lived in the 'basement' while the other floors were being worked on. The other floors were never finished and remain that way to this day. Eventually a man from Texas bought the mansion and in 1970 he donated it to The Pilgrimage Garden Club with the stipulation that it remain unfinished...as is. This place is a picture takers haven!

It is very interesting and gives and a lot of information. It was really fun to listen to them talk about it

This place was okay and the tour interesting. We didn't think it was worth the $18.50 per person though. Especially since only the basement of the house is completed. The upper rooms are just as the workers left them in the 1860's.

Love the history and beauty of this mansion. So awesome they have original pieces from the family. The price is pretty steep at $25 per person. I was disappointed with the guided tour that we were rushed from room to room. Never got to read all the placards or see the pictures. When we asked if we could go thru again at our own pace we were told no.

Longwood Plantation is gorgeous and a must see. Natchez is home to many beautiful plantation homes but Longwood is the most interesting and most beautiful of them all in my opinion. This octagon shaped mansion is 30,000 square feet and has six stories. Pretty impressive, right? When the Civil War began the workers stopped what they were doing and went home. The only floor that was completed was the first as a result of this. The upper five floors remain unfinished and is truly spectacular to see. If you only have time for one plantation tour in Natchez, make it Longwood.

Longwood is one of the most unique plantations I have ever visited. Located in Natchez, Longwood is massive. Looking at photographs you really can't fathom the scope of this house. Once you get over the beauty and size of the building, you park and head into the gift shop. Tours are guided and start every 30 minutes or so. Only the lower area of Longwood is complete. Apparently construction stopped when the civil war began so most of Longwood remains unfinished. The finished area is neat, but nowhere near as cool as the upper unfinished floors. It's difficult to describe, but standing in the middle of the unfinished area and looking straight up, is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. It is nearly exactly the way it was back in 1861 when the workers left their tools and headed north. I realize that my description doesn't really do it justice, but trust me, you want to see this. Tours are relatively expensive and the actual tour is somewhat lame, but that upper floor. Man,it's awesome. If you're in Natchez or anywhere near by, Longwood is worth a visit.

Longwood was the very first mansion we toured on our first day in Mississippi. You go up a dirt road, pay for you ticket from the person in the booth, then continue up the road and park in the back of the mansion. The first thing you notice is the Octoagon shape. We went to the gift shop to wait for the last tour of the day. Just Dale and I were there for the tour and the gift shop attendant surprisingly was the tour guide. He was a young man but very knowlegable and he made it interesting. The first thing we were told is that NO photos allowed inside of the basement, which is actually the first floor. The home is one of several antebellum (pre-civil war) structures in the Natchez area. Walking around in each of the rooms, you can envision the Nutt family walking about. They even had a slave that was like part of the family and he is buried in the family cemetery out back. We never walked to it because it was late and a bit creepy to be out there alone so I chose not to go. When we went upstairs, you can see all of the unfinished brick work, fireplaces, empty paint cans, tools, etc. Everything was just left as if one day eveyrone just picked up and left. Well, it sounds as if that's what happened because of the war. But from just looking around, you can tell that if it had been finished, it would have been an awesome place. The tour guide also told us that a show called "True Blood" was filmed here. We don't watch the show but I could see how anyone would want to film there - it's creepy and mysterious!

The house was really cool and so was the history but our tour guide was a crotchety old bat who you could tell had done this tour 1000 times and just didn't care anymore. They need some younger blood in there who actually cares about the tour and interjects some enthusiasm.

Longwood is a beautiful home with a lot of history. It's affectionately known as Nutt's Folly. The home was never finished thus this home hauntingly beautiful. It is as though time has stood still. When the war broke out construction on the home ceased. Longwood is worth the visit especially if you appreciate architecture.

When I recently learned that two replicas of Christopher Columbus' Nina and Pinta ships will be on display this summer, I was reminded of the whitewashing of American history that was apparent when I visited Longwood last summer. Although the tour guide was both professional and friendly, she referred to those who worked and suffered there as "servants" instead of slaves. Shocked by her terminology, I asked her if she was indeed referring to slaves, as I was blown away by this Orwellian approach to sharing America's tainted history. The tour guide admitted that she was, in fact, referring to slaves--i.e., human chattel. This kind whitewashing of American history also brings to mind Texas changing their textbooks in schools two years ago to describe the Atlantic slave trade as bringing "millions of workers" to plantations in the South, making no mention of slaves doing what they actually did: toiling relentlessly, without remuneration or reprieve, constantly subject to confinement, corporal punishment and death. America's history, like everyone's history, is both good and bad. Whitewashing it does nothing to help us understand or learn from it. By embracing our mistakes from the past, we have a better chance of not repeating them in the future. It would be far more educational if the staff at Longwood would make a point of sharing the plantation's conflicted history in an honest and open way.

Very interesting history! Beautiful home! I'm still telling my friends and family about this place! Will be back to tour! Our tour guide was great!

What a gorgeous house! The tour was well done, and the history here is fascinating. I just wish they could finish the house. I understand why they didn't, but I'm desperate to see what the finished product would look like!

Wonderful tour of the magnificent UNFINISHED home. Tour guide was very hospitable and knowledgeable. Also guide was willing to answer everyone's questions. Beautiful maintained grounds.

Neat place! Worth the $20 to take the tour. It would have been quite a house if it had been finished.

My boyfriend is from Natchez, so we were in town visiting his family when we took to the day to explore the city. One of the coolest tours was of Longwood Mansion. Construction started a little over a year prior to the start of the Civil War by the Nutt family. Nutt was a rich cotton farmer and had money to burn. The house itself is the largest octagonal home in the US, but only the first floor (the basement) was actually finished. No photography is allowed on this floor and it features portraits of the Nutt family and almost all the original furniture from the late 1800s. Amazing history, great tour, a slice of the rise and fall of the wealthy southern plantation owners. So glad this house has been preserved and retains the lush 90 acres of forest around it. This house was also featured in the TV show True Blood as the King of Mississippi's (Russell Edgington) mansion.

Very interesting tour. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Worth the visit. Only complaint was at the front gate - the person collecting tickets was not very friendly and did not smile at all.

This was a bit pricey for the tour length, our guide wasn't very helpful when questions were asked, he would brush them off like he would answer in the next room lol anyway the house is huge and a few cool spots.

My favorite tour, the history is just so rich for this house and family, and to really see the war's impact on a family...it's truly one you won't forget. Beautiful grounds to wander too! Don't miss this one!

Amazing history, the unfinished choice of preservation is the best choice it is like time stood still and we can glimpse at how it was left. The irony of the massive vision of the home not able to finish do to finances is felt in every exposed brick. The grounds are tucked away in a private nook, no wonder Mrs. Nutt wanted it so badly. One can almost see the small Nutt boys exploring the rotunda and little adventure wonderland.

The structure itself is fascinating and certainly unusual. The issue I have with this place is the tour guide and the whitewashing of slavery. We all know that the owner had slaves, about 800 to be precise, but rather than acknowledge that and accept it for what it was the guide decided to spend a good portion of the tour trying to make the owner out to be a good guy, and filling us with misleading half truths about Robert E. Lee (who, as far as I know was never even in Natchez, and certainly had nothing to do with this land and structure). It began somewhat early on, when the guide mentioned that one of the young male slaves frequently played with one of the owner's children and they became friends. Later in life the slave became a house servant, and even had his portrait painted. "One of only two slaves to have his portrait painted" he told us. In the summers, to escape malaria, the family would go to Canada, and they took this one slave with them. It seemed very obvious that he was punctuating the treatment of this one particular slave as a way of painting the family in a better light. I couldn't help but think of course that despite this the family still kept this person in slavery for their own benefit, and enslaved another 799 people who didn't get to go to Canada and had to stick it out in the malaria ravaged summers of Mississippi. That story didn't get told, but hey they did paint a picture of one of the hundreds that they kept in indentured servitude, so who's complaining, right? Luckily that subject died within the first 15 minutes and we continued with the tour. As the tour ended the guide decided to mislead everyone with a half-truth about Robert E. Lee. Again, Robert E. Lee has nothing to do with this plantation, but you can't go anywhere in Mississippi without someone trying to convince you that the civil war wasn't about slavery, and the people who owned slaves weren't bad people. Anyhow, his statement was this. U.S. Grant owned slaves and Robert E. Lee didn't. Absolutely true that Grant did, but the Lee statement (which still has no context related to Longmont) isn't correct. He never bought a slave, but he inherited somewhere close to 200. In fact, he was supposed to set 180 of them free 5 years after the inheritance, but broke sued to keep them enslaved. Not to mention, he also led an armed rebellion against the United States for "state's rights." The main one being the right to keep slaves. During which 3/4 of a million Americans were killed. Whitewashing bullshit. If you want to tell me Lee was a brilliant general, I get that. Don't feed me full of bullshit about him not owning slaves. It's a cop out and a con. I don't give money to conmen, and that's what this douchebag tour guide was.

Natchez is noted for its mansions. One we decided to tour was Longwood. Its octagonal shape certainly makes it stand out among others. Its history -- the fact that it went and still is unfinished -- makes for a compelling story. The long, windy road in heightened the anticipation. However, our tour left us wanting. Our tour guide did not seem to be as knowledgeable about this mansion as other tour guides have been about their mansions/plantations. She also seemed to be a bit unfocused; answering questions dragged on and didn't allow the tour to move along in a timely manner. Longwood is an unusual mansion and worth the tour -- maybe you'll get a better guide.

I have not visited many plantations so using the comparing and contrast method of writing a review won't be worth trying. However, I believe when I say this one is completely different from others, I'm definetly on point. Longwood is shapped like an octagon or is it hexagon??? Regadless it's an 'agon' and only the basement(1st floor) is finished. The story behing that is extremely interesting. The story maybe interesting but if the story teller is bad then the story losses it's luster. I mean if the guy who directed my daughters' 4th grade Thanksgiving play got to direct Taxi Driver instead of Scorsese, I doubt it would be one of my favorite movies. In other words, a tour like this is all about the tour guide. Ours tried, she really did but so does the toothless day time stripper at the local gentleman's club. She repeated the term "of course" so many times that I wanted to make a drinking game out of the phrase and she said it at all the wrong times. She would point to a painting on the wall and say "and of course that is the owners 2nd cousin on his mother's side" Of course?!?! Of Course means it's common knowledge. How in the hell are we suppose to know that?!?! Also after hearing her say 'winder" instead of window at least a dozen times, I was even more annoyed but I kept my cool. The straw that broke the camel's back was her lack of elementary knowledge as to when to use "are or "is'. They are not interchangeable!!!!!! I am not a grammar snob. Far from it! I'm sure you can find 7,000 errors in this review alone, BUT when a tour guide is this bad it drives me nuts. Thanks for keeping the ignorant Southerner sterotype rolling. With all that being said, it's worth a visit if in the area, it's a short 30 minute tour and your guide may be better than ours.

This is the plantation to visit in Natchez if you only had time for one! Longwood's architecture is really unique and the fact that most of the interior is unfinished really gives the visitor an interesting look into it's construction. Admission is roughly $20 if I remember correctly and you are given a tour of the house and allowed to walk the grounds. The tour was really great - it was given by a knowledgeable, humorous, and enthusiastic young guide who really knew his stuff and couldn't resist throwing in "Nutt' jokes every chance he got. There is no photography allowed on the first floor (which is the only completed section of the interior), but you are allowed to take pictures upstairs. It's really amazing to see all the construction tools and materials just laying there, like the workers just dropped them and never came back. In addition to the house, take the time to browse the gift shop (which has some cool stuff) and walk the grounds - There's a short trail that takes you to the family cemetery. The exterior of the house is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture that I've ever seen - really enjoyed photographing it.

Life has many inconveniences which come in different ways. The design of this house and the plans Nutt had made would have proved it be a grand showpiece. Such a disappointment that he was not able to build it to the grandeur that it could have been. This did, however, let us have a brief "snapshot" of what life, and home building, was like for them back then. Being able to see the house in "mid-construction" state was also a treat - they simply left their tools and tasks and went home because of the war. Seeing the Spanish Moss on so many of the trees on the grounds was also a treat. Such wonderful grounds around the house. I took many great photos. You owe it to yourself to see this house.

In researching a trip to Natchez, I came across this place as "the place" to visit. Yes it's unique as everyone stated on Yelp and Trip Advisor. We usually prefer a self guided tour but plantations are usually guided and if the guide is a dud, then the whole experience could be bad. But besides that, I learned a lot about.... um... beds. How they come apart to allow for no headboards to allow air to flow in the summer. And there's this rolling pin looking piece to roll the feathers evenly in the mattresses. OH, and this terrible invention over the dining room table to shoo flies away. So it's an octagon house. You basically are taken in a circle to each room located in it's basement. Then you climb stairs to view the unfinished part. It's just rafters and exposed wood. There are tools still there from when the builders left them and ran home before the war. The grounds are nice but the bees were a problem. You know those carpenter/wood bees? They swarmed the Women's bathroom which is located in the servant's house. The Men's bathroom was fine and I almost had the bf keep a lookout while I went in there. My concern is, why are they allowing these bees to destroy the old wood like this? All they have to do is fill in the holes each winter and the bees will stay away. They allow weddings there as they were prepping for one when we were there. It's a cool place to visit. Just hope you don't get the same guide we got.

Longwood is beautiful! It makes me rather sad that it was never finished, but the story is awesome. Our tour guide was a spunky older lady. She was funny and friendly, as well as knowledgeable. I wish the tour included the carriage house as well, as there were some items in there I was curious about, which is the reason for only four stars. I found it really interesting.

An unfinished mansion, Longwood has some interesting history. The docent providing the tour ($18 pp) was a wealth of knowledge. The style and design of Longwood is very unusual and a must-see for architecture buffs. It's off the road a way but well-made; only real negative was the initial impression, there is a guard at the gate who needs a lesson in Southern hospitality.

Very informative tour guide. A lot of history regarding how the home was started and reason for the home not being completed. Very sad times during the civil war.

So glad we stopped and took the tour. Love the history of the Nutt family and the beautiful old although unfinished mansion. Amazing! Very knowledgable tour guide. Lots of cute things in gift shop. We did not take the time to walk around the grounds and visit the cemetery.

Longwood is a must-see if you're ever in the Natchez area. The experience begins with a slow drive through the grounds, past a pond and oaks with hanging moss, until the house suddenly stands before you in its full magnificence. And what a house - the only one of its kind in the US, its octagonal structure is gorgeous from every angle. The difference between the finished and unfinished floors is staggering. To consider how the Nutt family's dream house was unfinished, yet they lived here so long after multiple setbacks, really makes you reflect on pride, necessity, and everything else that makes people tick through history. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and so sweet. She paid careful attention to the children in the group, answered questions thoughtfully, and really seemed to love sharing Longwood with visitors. Tickets are available from the Natchez Pilgrimage office on Canal St. right by the Mississippi River bridge, or online at http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com/dailytour.htm.

Very interesting and original architecture.My favorite plantation house. It remains unfinished as construction was halted by the Civil War. Many of the carpenters were from the North, so when the war broke out, they put down their tools and went home. Many of the tools are where they were left. The lower level was finished and the family lived there, but the other levels remain unfinished. Outbuildings and grounds open for exploring. There is a gift shop and the house is held in some sort of trust, to remain unfinished, so future generations can see how things were built.

My first observation is that if you go, do not do so in the late spring or summer. This is, and always will be, an unfinished house. The bottom floor is air conditioned, but the upper floors are "au naturel." I was drenched when I finished the tour in August. Do not misunderstand. It is roofed. This was moisture from a different source. The 6-story octagonal abode will always be unfinished because as a National Historic Landmark, no updates are allowed. Of the 32 rooms only 9 were completed. The exterior is complete, and, the dwelling is the largest octagonal domicile in the nation. The Civil War stopped construction, and, due to various circumstances, there was never enough money for the mansion to ever be completed. That is sad to me, because this is a striking habitation. There is a large and for what it is, ornate outhouse on the premises. The first floor remained a residence for Dr. Haller Nutt's wife. It has some original furnishings and belongings, and, is a visual step-back in time.

When planning to determine which tours to take, this one came to the top since it is the most unique and the history behind it. Note which places one wants to visit and their times so that you can fit in the most while you are in Natchez. The guide was very well spoken and delivered the information well. Everyone friendly. Recommend stopping in the gift shop, no I am not one to purchase items in tourist area - other than food to bring home, but I just had to get a fly (wasp) catcher!

For all you True Blood fans out there! The King of Mississippi, Russell, lives in Longwood! The outside shot is authentic, the interiors are obviously not. And do you think Bill killed Lorena with that fire???

The grounds and main house are absolutely breathtaking. The staff is incredibly passionate in the knowing of the accurate history of the house, grounds, owners and the slaves that worked there. The home is only completed on the 'basement' (which is 10,000 ). The home is not completely done but the reason is pretty interesting in itself. The moss and the trees were also beautiful and the tour guides all seemed to care and wanted to be there. Thus, this easily gets a 5 stars

We expected something quite different from what we saw. It turned out to be more of a cotillion for local kids than ny sort of reenactment. The kids were cute and the Maypole was fun to see, refreshments were a nice touch afterward. However, players were read rather than performed, sho pretty disappointing there.

Being a history nerd, Longwood quickly became one of my favorite places to visit, regardless of how many times I've been and heard the information. The tour guides here are extremely friendly and knowledgeable and will answer any questions you may have before they turn you lose to explore the grounds around it. This will be a spot that you will want to come back to just in case you missed something before.

I love the history of Natchez. But I have brought three groups of people to Natches and check in to see the price. Just to drive up to the mansion, costs 18 a person? I believe that seeing the plantation, and touring the plantation should be separate prices. Too expensive.

This is the prefect place for architectural buffs. I've never seen anything like it. 18.00 per person helps support this masterpiece. If you go to one house in Natchez, let it be this. I'd go in cooler weather as it could get hot. Small gift shop. Vending machine for drinks and nice bathrooms.

Awesome piece of history here! It's such a bittersweet story about Longwood. It's so beautiful on the outside. I knew the story of Longwood before going on the tour but I still caught my breath when I entered the second story. What a sad story. It's so hard to wrap your head around the lose this poor man suffered. This place would have been a one of a kind on American soil. How I wish it had been finished. Oh, how I wish.......

AMAZING property...the grounds are beautiful and the home is architecturally stunning. Our tour guide John was informative and answered all our questions. He gave us plenty of time to walk around the unfinished second floor and take pictures. His knowledge of the house and details of the Nutt family brought Longwood to life. This is a MUST see on any Mississippi trip. Ask for John!

I echo every 5 star review here - it's just too cool to miss when you think about time ACTUALLY standing still in this home once the civil war started! A must.