There’s no shortage of historic homes in America. Monticello, Hearst Castle, The Biltmore Estate, all homes that have been visited by millions of Americans. But it’s a less heralded American landmark that might be the most interesting: Longwood. Located in Natchez, Mississippi, the home has both an interesting design, and a fascinating history. At 32,000 square feet, Longwood has the distinction of being the largest octagonal shaped home in America. The home was once called, “the grandest exercise in architectural geometry”, and it is truly spectacular. While Longwood’s exterior is beautiful, it’s the interior that makes the home so interesting.
The construction of Longwood started in 1860, just before the outbreak of the Civil War. Particularly poor timing to begin construction of a Mississippi mansion. While the exterior was completed by the start of the Civil War, the interior was not. Almost everyone involved in Longwood’s construction, from the architects to the craftsmen, were Northerners. Once word reached the workers that the war had started, they all headed back North, leaving Longwood’s interior unfinished.
The home is preserved just as it was in 1861. Looking at the exterior, you see a beautiful and elegant mansion, one of the finest in the Antebellum South. But the interior is frozen in time, unchanged since that day in 1861, when its builders walked off the job. Exposed brick and wood framing, beautiful in its own way, but a shell of what the home could have become.
In many ways the home is symbolic of the South. The exterior representative of the lavish lifestyles and vast wealth of the Southern elite. Prior to the Civil War, Natchez had more millionaires than any other city in America, and Longwood was the largest and most extravagant home in town. The interior is a hollow shell, representative of the South’s post Civil War reality, where most of the wealth and infrastructure had been destroyed.
Some argue that the Longwood interior should have been completed during the 20th century, with many advocating for its conversion to a hotel. While Longwood would undoubtedly make a magnificent hotel, the preservation of its unfinished portion makes it a truly unique landmark. I’ve been to some of the great historic homes in America, but Longwood might be my favorite. The contrast between the exterior and interior is thought provoking, and really cool to see. If you’re ever in Natchez I highly recommend a tour of Longwood. This was one of my favorite tours, and I like to think I’ve seen some pretty cool stuff recently.
Interesting stuff!!
Fascinating. Never heard of it! Although I have not spent a ton of time in the deep south. You’re quite the explorer of unknown gems!
Natchez is a hidden gem. Not very well known, but loaded with historic homes. Longwood is my favorite, but plenty of others worth touring as well. Only an hour and a half from Baton Rouge, so it’s actually pretty accessible.
Jennifer is working on her bachelor’s degree remotely through LSU (Geaux Tigers!). I told her when she’s finished I’d take her to Baton Rogue for graduation, to see some family outside of Lafayette, and the make a run up the Natchez Trace Parkway to revisit where I broke my neck. We’ll have to stop at Longwood for sure!