Feb 12 Jefferson Davis Retirement Home and to home

Here we were at Beauvoir Jefferson Davis Retirement home in Biloxi, MS.. Beth is on porch, taking pictures of front yard and Gulf Coast

Jefferson Davis initially visited the home in 1875 and stayed in one of the two cottages in the side yards that had served as offices, studies, and guest houses over time.  Here he wrote Rise an Fall of the Confederate Government  Several years later he purchased the property of 600+ acres to live with his wife (Varina) and a daughter.  Cost, $5500.

Imagine sitting on the front porch, enjoying sea breeze  .

The porch wraps around both sides of the house.  Note the triple sash windows.  They could easily slide the bottom sashes up and step through.

The house was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina with its storm surge that destroyed most houses along this area of Gulf Coast.  Many lots are still vacant.

Before/after photo of restoration

Hallway and rooms had beautiful hand painted ceilings.  There were eight other large rooms.  Two living rooms (west side) and two bedrooms off the hallway (.east side).  Pres and Mrs Davis' bedrooms off the west side of back porch.  Dining room and a pantry off east side of back porch.

Front living room

Daughter (Varina, named after mom) bedroom

Dining room

Doors which had been maintained as white, were discovered to be Cyprus finished as faux oak during Katrina restoration have been returned to original appearance.

View of back yard form porch

From back yard, see kitchen (right) and Presidential Library (left)

Kitchen

Spent night at Sterling Lake Campground near Montgomery. Got home couple days later.