Meridian, MS, 39301 US / MS
Merrehope, a 26-room Victorian mansion that currently serves as a historic house museum, was originally built in 1858 by Richard McLemore for his daughter Juriah Jackson. After changing ownership several times, with small alterations from each owner, the house was eventually bought by S.H. Floyd in 1904, who remodelled it into its present appearance. The building was one of few spared by General William Tecumseh Sherman on his raid of the city in the Battle of Meridian, and has served many functions throughout its history, including time as a residence, a shelter for Union officers, a Confederate General's headquarters, an apartment building, and a boarding house. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and as a Mississippi Landmark in 1995. One of the first settlers in Meridian, Richard McLemore, owned 700 acres where Merrehope now stands. In 1858, he deeded 160 acres to his daughter Juriah as a wedding gift. She and her husband, W. H. Jackson, built a Greek Revival cottage in 1858. This is the antebellum part of Merrehope. During the war between the States, in December 1863, General Leonidas Polk- who was known as “the fighting bishop” because he was the Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana before the War- moved into the cottage with his family and used the cottage as his Confederate headquarters. General Polk was commander of troops who were charged with defending the east Mississippi area. On February 14, 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman came in with approximately 10,000 troops and forced Polk and his troops to evacuate Meridian. Sherman took over and burned almost all of Meridian and destroyed the railroad lines for 10 miles in each direction, making “Sherman Neckties”. Polk and his troops had already destroyed much of the rail in order to keep Sherman and his army from using them. General Polk and some of his troops evacuated to the east near Alamucha. Some of the troops and most of Polk’s equipment and the railroad “rolling stock” were sent southward by rail to Mobile…with the last car pulling out of Meridian as Sherman was marching in. Merrehope changed hands in 1868 and between 1868 and 1881 was owned by John Gary. This owner, a cotton broker, remodeled the home and added the ruby etched glass around the front door, the double parlor, the library and four rooms upstairs. This remodeling was done in the style of Italianate. Between 1881 and 1903, a coal dealer, Mr. J. C. Lloyd, his wife and 13 children lived in the home. Mr. Lloyd had lost an arm during the War. He helped to start the first school system in Lauderdale County. He owned a jewelry store and was also the City Clerk for the town of Meridian. Between 1903 and 1915 a wealthy cotton broker from Shubuta, Sam Floyd owned the home, adding the front columns, suspended balcony, 5 bathrooms, the walnut hand-carved stairway and electricity to the home. He also added the dining room, the morning room and two bedrooms upstairs. The style of architecture was transformed to neo-classical by this owner. From 1915 until 1968 the home was converted first into rental property, then a boarding house and finally was divided into eight apartments. In 1968, five women were traveling to a Federated Women’s Club meeting in Enterprise. One woman said “We really need a place in Meridian for all of our clubs to meet”. They all agreed and another woman added, “I know just the place, that home over on 31st Avenue is about to be destroyed and it is too beautiful to lose.” With that thought, a vision and lots of determination, The Meridian Restorations Foundation was formed by the members of the nine Federated Women’s Clubs of Meridian. They purchased the home and restoration which is an ongoing process was begun. Their dream became a reality and the home is used for club meetings and is rented to the public for weddings, receptions and parties. It is a tourist attraction and is open daily for tours.
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