Beauvoir: Our National Treasure Is Open To The Public Again

Story by Nick Cumberland

On Tuesday, June 3rd, Beauvoir celebrated it's grand re-opening celebration. The gates were once again open to the public after an extensive rebuild. The event coincided with the 200th Birthday of Jefferson Davis. Hundreds gathered on the grounds to watch musket and artillery salutes. The crowd also enjoyed guest speakers, who were experts in historical study about the beloved Coast landmark. Lt. Governor Phil Bryant was an honored guest, and was very pleased to be a part of this auspicious occasion. The flags of Mississippi and the Confederacy were presented during a military processional on the grounds. Women were dressed in period costumes, and the men wore authentic Confederate uniforms.

Nothing was left unscathed as a result of Katrina on this historical site. The representatives of Beauvoir went to work immediately to put a plan into action for a complete restoration. According to Acting Director and Chairman of the Board, Rick Forte, the complete restoration of the main home came to a price of over 4 million dollars. “We did the research and made it a point to restore all the interior and exterior features exactly as it was prior to the hurricane, exactly as it was when Jefferson Davis lived there,” Forte said. The Hayes Cottage and the Library Cottage suffered the most damage. “A lot of people don’t realize that the original home structure was only damaged approximately 27%. The home is the only National Landmark still standing along the beach after Katrina slammed into the coast,” according to Forte.

Mr. James Brown, a very wealthy plantation owner built Beauvoir over 150 years ago. The property changed hands several times before Sarah Dorsey purchased it in 1873. The spectacular view of the Mississippi Sound prompted her to name her magnificent home, “Beauvoir” which is French for “a beautiful view.”

Jefferson Davis began searching for property along the Gulf Coast, in hopes of finding a suitable place for retirement and where he could write his memoirs. A close friend of the family, Mrs. Dorsey encouraged Jefferson Davis to come and stay at Beauvoir. He immediately fell in love with the property and quickly purchased it from Dorsey. It is said that the purchase price was only $5500. After Jefferson’s death in 1889 the property was inherited by family members who decided to sell it to the Mississippi Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The family had one condition, that the property would always be a memorial to Jefferson Davis and the Confederate soldier.

Support for the rebuilding of this historical landmark has been beyond all expectations. “Just last month we had 10,000 visitors on our website, they wanted to know all about Beauvoir and what happened as a result of Katrina. Forte said, “I am a History major and did much of my graduate work in Southern history and Mississippi history in particular. I want this site to honor the confederate soldier, just as it did from the beginning and tell the real story of the South - not how Hollywood chooses to portray what happened here.”

For more information on Beauvoir and to get a schedule of upcoming events that will be held on the grounds, visit www.beauvoir.org or email the Director at director@beauvoir.org. Anyone interested in making a donation to help in the ongoing repair and restoration can do so by sending donations payable to the Beauvoir General Fund, at 2244 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39531 All donations are tax deductible.