As a National Historic Landmark, Auburn has quite a story to tell. It was the first major building in Natchez to follow an actual architectural plan. In the years leading to the Civil War several Natchez homes emulated the style of Auburn's facade. The home's spiral staircase stands entirely unsupported, a feat unmatched even in modern buildings. These points introduce you to the dramatic story of Auburn itself.
Open Tues-Sat. 11:00AM-3:00 PM
Last tour 2:30 PM
Adults - $15
Children (6 - 18yrs)- $10
Children under 6 - Free
During Fall Pilgrimage, Auburn will only be open on the following days from 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Sept. 24, 27, 30, Oct. 3, 6, 9.
On Sept 30, an "Evening at Auburn" will be held with a calliope concert, mint juleps and finger food at 5:30 PM. Admission will be $20. per person with proceeds going toward Auburn's restoration projects. Tickets may be purchased at the door or from Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.
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Before the time of the great steamboats, Lyman Harding set out for Natchez from Massachusetts. Lyman found wealth and success in Natchez. Levi Weeks was employed by Harding to design and build Auburn, the first home built in Natchez according to an architectural design.
After Harding's death, Dr. Stephen Duncan and his wife, Catherine, moved into Auburn.
Besides being a Doctor of Medicine, Duncan became president of the Bank of the State of Mississippi, helped establish Trinity Episcopal Church. He expanded Auburn and even built a Greek Revival style billiards parlor next to the home for the entertainment of gentlemen.
After the Civil War, Auburn remained in the Duncan family until 1911, when Dr. Duncan's heirs donated the home and 210 adjacent acres of land to the city of Natchez, to be used as a public park. The contents of the house were sold at public auction. Few of those items would ever return to Auburn.
Levi Weeks, a young cabinetmaker, carpenter and builder who also claimed to be an architect, was employed by Lyman Harding to design and build Auburn Mansion in 1811. Weeks describes the home in a letter to a friend:
"The body of the house is 60 by 45 feet with a portico ...supported by 4 Ionic columns with the Corinthian entablature ...the house two stories with a geometrical staircase to ascend to the second story. The site is one of those peculiar situations which combines all the delight of romance, the pleasures of rurality and the approach of sublimity."
A portrait of Dr. Duncan
In the 1830's, Dr. Stephen Duncan added the two symmetrical wings, which greatly expanded the interior space. These wings now hold the library and gift shop on the main floor and two of the bedrooms upstairs. The first floor also holds an office, dining room, parlor, sitting room, and large hallway. The second floor consists mostly of the four bedrooms, with another parlor and hallway. Porches set off both floors front and back.
But of course, the single most striking architecture of the home is the graceful curve of the spiral staircase, completely unsupported to the second floor.
Restoring the interior and exterior of Auburn Mansion is a constant process. As most of the furnishings were lost, period furniture is sometimes donated to this historic home. We are constantly trying to locate pieces original to the "Duncan" period of Auburn.
A window in the upstairs parlor was walled up years ago, but has now been reclaimed.
The Kitchen building, ca. 1830, with servants quarters on the second floor, is now restored as far as the structure is concerned. The members of the Auburn Antebellum Home still have much work to do finding and then purchasing items for the servants quarters. To help us in the completion of this restoration project your donation would certainly be appreciated by the Auburn Antebellum Home members who are all volunteers and receive no tax dollars from the City of Natchez, who owns Auburn. Checks may be sent to Auburn Antebellum Home, P.O. Box 18006, Natchez, MS 39122. A receipt will be sent upon request. All donations to Auburn Antebellum Home are tax deductible as we are a 501c3 non profit corporation.
A grant from MS Department of Archives and History has been received to fix the massive water problem that the main house is experiencing. The estimated price to repair the massive water destruction and to maintain the integerity of the roof is $318,000. Auburn didn't receive the amount needed to finish the project, but our organization appreciates the funds from MDAH. Again if anyone wishes to donate to this cause it would be appreciated. As with most grants that are applied for, the reward is usually not what is needed to complete the project.
Besides being a premier historic attraction for Natchez, Auburn is also a beautiful and convenient location for special events. Weddings, receptions, bridge club meetings, and tea parties have all been held in this antebellum home. Call for availability and price quote.
Once you've taken the tour, we invite you to browse our gift shop for china tea pots and cups, fine linens, books and souvenirs for folks of all ages
http://www.lacartes.com/business/Auburn-Antebellum-Home-/24970 
For hotel accomadations near Auburn, please click on the following link: http://www.hotelscombined.com/Place/Auburn_Mississippi.htm