The Elms (Natchez, Mississippi)

The Elms
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Location	801 Washington St., Natchez, Mississippi
Coordinates	31°33′20″N91°23′48″W / 31.55556°N 91.39667°W / 31.55556; -91.39667
Area	2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built	1804 (1804)
Architect	Multiple
NRHP reference No.	76001083 [1]
Added to NRHP	November 7, 1976

The Elms is a historic mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, United States.

Location

It is located at 801 Washington Street in Natchez, Mississippi.

History

The mansion was built in 1804. ^[2] It contained two ground floor rooms, two second floor rooms, a two-room attic, and one chimney. ^[2] A decade later, in 1815, it was extended with a new two-story wing, a formal parlor on the first floor and a master bedroom on the second floor. ^[2]

From 1825 to 1835, it served as the Presbyterian manse. ^[2] In the early 1840s, it was used as a young ladies’ boarding school. ^[2] In 1859, it belonged to Mrs and Mr Thomas Thornhill. ^[3]

Shortly after the American Civil War of 1861–1865, Mosely (John Posey) Drake and Caroline (Love America) Drake purchased the mansion. ^[2] It remains in their family. ^[2] The present owner is Esther Carpenter, an artist and a chef. ^[2]

It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since November 7, 1976. It is used as a bed & breakfast. ^[2] As of July 18, 2025, the Elms is no longer operating as a B&B. The property is now for sale. Google the address above and you will find purchase information.

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. Official website: History of The Elms
3. Patti Carr Black, Art in Mississippi, 1720–1980, Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi, 1998, p. 91