Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1125304
B M & T ••• March/April 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 47 AREA GUIDES Visit the Jackson zoo to observe ani- mals native to the area as well as exotic creatures from around the world. Or spend a tranquil afternoon in a lovely Jackson nature park admiring the huge variety of plant life that thrives in the area. Your trip to the City with Soul will be a delightful study in nature's beauty. • • NATCHEZ • • Natchez – the jewel of the Mississippi – is one of the oldest cities on the Mississippi River, two years older than New Orleans! With unique assets and a rich 300-year history, Natchez has much to offer visitors, whether leisure or busi- ness travelers through the stories of its many historic sites, fascinating people, and legendary Southern hospitality. From Native American mounds, to an extraordinary collection of historic sites, to the NAPAC Museum with exhibits cov- ering the entire range of the African- American story in Natchez, to National Park Service sites recognizing the impor- tance of telling the whole Natchez story, this city has lots to explore. The William Johnson House, owned by a free-man of color with a remarkable collection of his diaries of the time, Melrose with not only the classic antebellum main house, but also the slave quarters fully restored, the Forks of the Road site, the second largest slave market in the South during the Civil War, and the beautiful Natchez Trace are just a few of the Park Service sites. With The Natchez Convention Center (which boasts 32,000 sq. ft. of state-of- the-art meeting/exhibit space) and the 119-room Grand Hotel right at the river, and other options in the downtown for smaller meetings, Natchez not only pro- vides multiple opportunities for conven- tions and meetings, but at the same time, provides many, many opportunities to better understand the importance of the contributions made by Africans and African-American people who are a vital and significant part of the story of Natchez The cultural contributions of African- Americans are at the heart of the history of Natchez. Whether artistic contribu- tions through the craftsmanship that allowed the creation of the stately man- sions that survive today, to the rich sounds of blues music, to foods that mean "Southern," or the suffering and struggles so many faced during both the Civil War, as well as the Civil Rights movement, Natchez is home to extraordi- nary stories of African-American people who have made a tremendous difference in the world. The influences of Natchez writers and musicians have literally spread around the globe. The daily diaries kept by barber William Johnson from 1835 to 1851 are taught in college history classes across the country and are referenced in many publications about the antebellum South. The writings of Richard Wright have gar- nered international acclaim for his straightforward portrayal of the lives of African-Americans and the effects of racism that he witnessed in the early 1900s. More heritage tourism sites and specially created tours are bringing the history and cultural contributions of African-Americans in the Natchez area into the mainstream of the Natchez visitor experience. Natchez, with its rich, diverse history and unparalleled beauty located on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, provides a unique and unforgettable experience whether visitors are here for a confer- ence or meeting, a reunion, or simply traveling to explore one of the most remarkable cities in the country. Alexandria International Airport, 70 miles from Natchez, serves the area. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Natchez – (800) 647-6724 www.visitnatchez.org • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown 186 Hilton Jackson 276 Jackson Marriott 302 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jackson – Downtown 108 The Westin Jackson 202 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Total Exhibit Space 60,000-sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 25 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Jackson – (800) 354-9675 www.visitjackson.com Melrose-Natchez