Discover the Collected Splendor Inside Choctaw Hall

Few would guess the white orbs topping the lower posts on each side of the graceful ascent to Choctaw Hall’s entrance are actually cannonballs. Excavated from the grounds following a Civil War skirmish and encased in stucco, the accents are just one of many character-rich details waiting to be discovered in a dwelling lauded for its architectural appeal, sumptuous interiors, and almost two centuries of history.

 

Constructed between 1830 and 1836 for Joseph Neibert, the Natchez mansion passed through several hands before being purchased by David Paul Garner Jr. and Lee Glover in 2014. Lee, who serves as operations manager, and David, the self-ascribed “avant gardener,” immediately set about restoring the structure with fresh plaster and paint as well as repairs to the roof and exterior. “Thank goodness we started out with good bones,” says Lee.

 

Desirous of extending the grounds, the new owners also purchased adjoining property, where David cultivates gardens lush with camellias, azaleas, and other blooms. Indoors, elegant furnishings and antiques abound, but one of the most exquisite items in the trove is a grand assemblage of Jacob Petit Paris porcelain. So extensive is the collection that in 2023, a curator from the Louvre came to behold its charm.

 

The home is open for tours, events, and weddings, and the ground floor now serves as a bed-and-breakfast where gracious hospitality is assured. In preparation for Christmas, Choctaw Hall is festively arrayed for visitors exploring the abode during Natchez’s Christmas Pilgrimage of Historic Homes or participating in special candlelight tours, where softly flickering flames cast a glow on the gleaming mirrors and sweeping draperies.

 

“Sharing our historic property with guests offers a unique and rewarding experience,” says Lee. “Guests can engage with the past through stories, antiques, and architecture, which provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of history.”