Beauvoir: The Jefferson Davis Home

Overview Beauvoir, a historic estate located in Biloxi, Mississippi, is best known as the post-war home of Jefferson Davis, the former President of the Confederate States of America. This 51-acre property serves as a museum, nature trail, cemetery, monument, and memorial to Davis's life and legacy.

History

Beauvoir was originally built between 1848 and 1852 by James Brown, a wealthy planter from Madison County, Mississippi. Initially named "Orange Grove," it served as Brown's vacation retreat rather than an operational plantation due to the infertile soil in the area. In 1873, the property was sold to Frank Johnston and soon after to Sarah Ellis Dorsey, who renamed it "Beauvoir" due to its scenic views.

In 1876, Sarah Dorsey invited Jefferson Davis to reside at Beauvoir, where he could find peace and write his memoirs. Davis rented the Library Cottage for $50 per month before purchasing the property in 1879 for $5,500, following Dorsey's death. Davis lived at Beauvoir until his death in 1889, where he penned The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government with assistance from Dorsey and his wife, Varina.

After Davis's passing, the property passed to his daughter Winnie. Upon Winnie's death in 1898, Varina sold Beauvoir to the Mississippi Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1902, with the condition that it serve as a home for Confederate veterans and their families and as a memorial to Jefferson Davis.

Role as a Veterans Home

From 1903 to 1957, Beauvoir operated as a veterans home for over 5,000 individuals, providing housing, care, and services to aging Confederate soldiers, their wives, and widows. The facility included barracks, a dining hall, chapel, and hospital.

Modern Role and Legacy

Today, the property is managed as a historic site and museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the life of Jefferson Davis and the American Civil War era. It features the main house, library, cemetery, and memorial monuments. Beauvoir survived significant damage from hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and was restored to reopen as a museum.

The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Activities and Designations

• Annual Events: Beauvoir hosts several events throughout the year, including the Spring Pilgrimage, Confederate Memorial Day, Fall Muster, and Candlelight Christmas.
• Historic Designations: Beauvoir is recognized for its architectural and historical significance, embodying the Antebellum period and the Lost Cause narrative of the Civil War.

Beauvoir continues to serve as an important cultural and educational landmark, reflecting the complex history of the American South and the life of Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederate States.