Ravennaside is an outstanding example of Neo-Classical residential architecture. It js noteworthy as the former home of Roane Fleming Byrnes (1890-1970), internationally known for her promotion of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Ravennaside was built by Mrs. Byrnes' parents, Anna Metealfe Fleming and James S. Fleming. The site adjoins the property of Ravenna (ca. 1837), home of the Metealfe family since 1857. Roane,
eldest child of Anna and James, was twelve in 1902 when her family moved from Ravenna into
their new house, Ravennaside. In 1917 Roane married Charles Ferriday Byrnes, and they lived with her parents and brother at Ravennaside. In 1943 Mrs. Byrnes inherited the
house, which she occupied until her death in 1970. Mrs. Byrnes became associated with the Mississippi Natchez Trace Association in 1934 and served as president of the organization from 1935 until a few months before her death. On
behalf of the Trace, she wrote letters, sent telegrams, entertained whatever she felt was necessary to promote the Natchez Trace Parkway on local, state, national, and international
levels. She was recognized in 1936 for her efforts toward getting a $500,000 bill for right-of-way purchases through the Mississippi legislature. On May 13, 1938, the Natchez Trace Parkway became a permanent part of the National Park Service. The pen used by Pres-
ident Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the bill into law was sent to Mrs. Byrnes and kept in the Trace Room at Ravennaside. The American Association for State and Local History selected Mrs. Byrnes.for an Award of .Merit in 1966. The citation read: "For the leadership that led to the creation and development of the Natchez Trace Parkway of the National Park Service."
Mrs. Byrnes was also active in the areas of historic preservation and race relations. She was a charter member of the Garden Club and promoted the tour of homes
which evolved into the annual Pilgrimage. She was instrumental in the preservation of Connelly's Tavern, the Priest
Ravennaside C.1902
Ravennaside is an outstanding example of Neo-Classical residential architecture. It js noteworthy as the former home of Roane Fleming Byrnes (1890-1970), internationally known for her promotion of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Ravennaside was built by Mrs. Byrnes' parents, Anna Metealfe Fleming and James S. Fleming. The site adjoins the property of Ravenna (ca. 1837), home of the Metealfe family since 1857. Roane,eldest child of Anna and James, was twelve in 1902 when her family moved from Ravenna intotheir new house, Ravennaside. In 1917 Roane married Charles Ferriday Byrnes, and they lived with her parents and brother at Ravennaside. In 1943 Mrs. Byrnes inherited thehouse, which she occupied until her death in 1970. Mrs. Byrnes became associated with the Mississippi Natchez Trace Association in 1934 and served as president of the organization from 1935 until a few months before her death. Onbehalf of the Trace, she wrote letters, sent telegrams, entertained whatever she felt was necessary to promote the Natchez Trace Parkway on local, state, national, and internationallevels. She was recognized in 1936 for her efforts toward getting a $500,000 bill for right-of-way purchases through the Mississippi legislature. On May 13, 1938, the Natchez Trace Parkway became a permanent part of the National Park Service. The pen used by Pres-ident Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the bill into law was sent to Mrs. Byrnes and kept in the Trace Room at Ravennaside. The American Association for State and Local History selected Mrs. Byrnes.for an Award of .Merit in 1966. The citation read: "For the leadership that led to the creation and development of the Natchez Trace Parkway of the National Park Service." Mrs. Byrnes was also active in the areas of historic preservation and race relations. She was a charter member of the Garden Club and promoted the tour of homeswhich evolved into the annual Pilgrimage. She was instrumental in the preservation of Connelly's Tavern, the Priest House, a
Natchez, a bridge from the past to the future.
Natchez, a bridge from the past to the future. The Pilgrimage Garden Club is honored and proud to count among our membership homes from every period of Natchez and US history. Mississippi is often referred to by historians as “The Fourteenth Colony”, so important were its contributions to the founding of the new Republic. A visit to Natchez will allow you to step back in time to the Spanish Territorial period, French and British Territorial periods, the Colonial Period. the Federal period, all the way to the Industrial Revolution, and into the modern era. Natchez has has everything a history buff could want and more, and all of it sitting on a high bluff overlooking the Mighty Mississippi. Come visit us for our Fall Tour of Homes going on now, or in spring for our upcoming Spring Tour of Homes. We can’t wait to welcome you! Tickets available at natchezpilgrimage.com #pgc #bridgefromthepast #bridgetothefuture #hometour #historic #historichomes
Incredible Decorative Arts
We know you come to Natchez for the architecture; where else would you go? There is nowhere else in the US with a higher inventory of historic homes from all periods of America’s built environment than Natchez, and within such close proximity to one another. But how many of you are lovers of historic #decorativearts? Natchez is also your #mustsee ! So many of our glorious homes are filled with family collections of priceless items, many of which are still in their original locations. Greenleaves and Landsdowne house two of the finest collections of family treasures in the nation, and YOU can see them and hear the family lore attached to each piece during our fall and spring tour of homes! Information and tickets available at natchezpilgrimage.com
