Day 1: Today we travel south through Oklahama to Fort Smith, AR. An early afternoon arrival allows us to visit the U.S. Marshals Museum and tour the growing gallery of world-renowned urban and contemporary public art that has breathed new life into the historic streets of downtown Fort Smith. Night in Fort Smith.

2: We travel across Arkansas today to Vicksburg, MS. Dinner this evening is included at Walnut Hills Restaurant. Next two nights in Vicksburg.

3: Vicksburg’s location on the Mississippi River was of strategic importance during the Civil War. Our first stop is at the Vicksburg Visitor Center where we see a movie presentation describing the historical events of the Vicksburg campaign, providing visitors with an overview and understanding of the Vicksburg National Military Park. Next we tour the Park with a guide who shows us the battlefield and the Vicksburg National Cemetery. We also visit Vicksburg’s Old Court House Museum which features millions of Civil War artifacts and many items of historical and cultural significance. Dinner and a tour are included this evening at Anchuca Historic Mansion and Inn.

4: This morning we visit Frogmore Cotton Plantation near Ferriday, LA. Historical cotton and plantation culture is the story told at Frogmore where there are 19 restored antebellum structures that date from the early 1800’s. Along with the history of the early Natchez planters and their slaves, our tour includes a rare Smithsonian quality cotton gin and then contrasts the historical methods with modern day planting, harvesting and computerized ginning of cotton. Lunch is included at Jackie’s Riverside Restaurant. Later we visit the Basilica of Saint Mary in Natchez, recognized as an architectural masterpiece among Catholic churches in the south. Dinner is included at the Monmouth Historic Inn. Next two nights in Natchez.

5: Today is our day to visit Natchez. We begin at the visitor center where a 20-minute video about Natchez and the surrounding area gives context for the remainder of our visit. Next we visit the Melrose Estate and the mansion of the John T. McMurran family. The estate includes several outbuildings and a new exhibit examining slavery in the Antebullum South. Our next stop is Stanton Hall with its Carrara marble, 1 1/2 inch mahogany door, candeliers from France and Italian statuary. This antebellum mansion has been renewed to much of its former glory. Lunch is included at the carriage house at Stanton Hall. Next we take a tour of Longwood Mansion with its octagonal structure and onion dome. Northern craftsmen left their work undone when the Civil War broke out. Today we can tour the home with its unfinished interior and view the grounds. Dinner is included at Sunny Side B&B.

6: We depart Natchez and travel through Louisiana to the northeast city of Kilgore, TX. Here we visit the East Texas Oil Museum which traces the history and development of the vast east Texas oil field through exhibits, audio-visual presentations and a re-created boomtown. Later we travel to Greenville for the night.

7: With thoughts of our visit to Vicksburg and Natchez we travel north to Kansas and home.