More than one thousand attend Beauvoir’s reopening
By KAT BERGERON
SUN HERALD
Tue, Jun. 03, 2008BILOXI —
With more than one thousand people in attendance, cannon salutes and Southern-style speeches, Beauvoir, the 1852 national historic landmark, reopened for the first time since Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the structure.The celebration was timed for the 200th anniversary of the birth date of Jefferson Davis, who spent his final years at Beauvoir. If he were to return today, the house would look to him just as it did the day he died in 1889, because modern “improvements” done in the past century are now gone, and the house, including paint colors, would be familiar to the Davis family.
At least 16 descendants stood on the front steps and sang “Happy Birthday” to their ancestor, a U.S. statesman and president of the Confederacy.
After the hour-and-a-half ceremony, the crowd, some dressed in antebellum outfits, some in everyday attire, dispersed across the front of the estate to stand under ancient oaks for shade, or to go under a tent to enjoy some of Davis’ birthday cake.
Free tours will continue through the day and starting Wednesday, the museum house will open for paid tours.
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