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 The
Guest House was originally a one-and-a-half story, Greek
Revival townhouse probably built for Samuel and Jane Newman in the
mid-1840s. They purchased the property in February 1844 for $1,000.
As originally built and documented in historic photographs, the
Guest House resembled the nearby John Smith House, a
smaller brick cottage at the corner of North Pearl and Jefferson
streets.
Samuel B. Newman was
the grandson of Samuel Brooks, the first mayor of Natchez. Newman
was a Natchez Merchant who founded the business establishment of
Stockman and Newman. He also served as sheriff of Adams County
before relocating to New Orleans in 1853. That same year, Newman
sold his brick house to Matilda A. Metcalf for $9,000.
Metcalf owned the
house until 1871, when she sold it to Jacob Ullman for $8,000. In
1884, Jacob Ullman's heirs sold the property to Bettie Jacobs for
$7,250. In 1900, Bettie Jacobs sold the property to the Natchez Elks
Lodge for an undisclosed amount.
Not long after
acquiring the property, the Natchez Lodge hired local builder
William Stientenroth to enlarge the building. During the 1902-1903
renovation, Stientenroth added a full second floor to the original
half story. This explains why the windows differ on the second floor
from those on the first. Since the 1902 renovation occurred during
the Victorian Era, many architectural features were changed.
Fireplace mantels and door moldings were "modernized" into the
Victorian style and the front pediment and four massive columns
added. The enlarged and remodeled building also featured a swimming
pool at the rear where the courtyard exists today.
In 1981, an extensive
renovation was under way at the Eola Hotel across the street.
Poole Investments Ltd. purchased the building from the Elks to
provide a place with larger suites for their V.I.P. guests. This
renovation provides 17 guest rooms that boast period and antique
furniture with exquisite draperies and wall treatments. The owners
purchased most of the antiques from local shops in the surrounding
area. The garden courtyard, which houses a full service restaurant,
received several architectural awards for its blend of antebellum
architecture and modern convenience. The house sold separately from
the Eola Hotel in 1989.
In February 1998, a
tornado came over the bluff and caused extensive damage to several
of the antebellum structures. Two of the large columns at the house
collapsed leaving the portico in a precarious position. The tornado
severely damaged the slate roof and 48 of the 50 windows were
shattered. The hotel closed seven months for renovation. Luckily,
the antiques were strong and made it through the tornado with only a
few scratches.
In 2004, the Guest
House celebrated its 21st year as a fine
hospitality estabilishment in the heart of historic downtown Natchez. In
February 2006, this gorgeous property was purchased by Mr. Reuben L. Harper
and Mr. Les Wisinger.
Bob G. Dean, Jr., owner of the Eola Hotel,
purchased the magnificent house in 2007. Once again it became the hotel's "Guest House". Mr. Dean
brought with him many exquisite antiques and pieces of art from his extensive
collection. He is truly dedicated to preserving the original architecture, style and decor
of the property. Together the Guest House and the Eola offer Natchez visitors a choice of
what is "Uniquely Natchez".
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