Beauvoir to celebrate Jefferson Davis’ 214th birthday
This Saturday, Beauvoir is celebrating Jefferson Davis’ 214th birthday.
There will be historians on the grounds giving visitors a glimpse of what life was like when Davis lived there.
What was once known as Orange Grove is today’s Beauvoir. Construction on the property began in 1848 and on it sits Jefferson Davis’ home, which is the first ever beach house in Biloxi as well as the presidential library. Curator Brianna Williams said, “You’re not just coming out here to celebrate Jefferson Davis’ birthday, you’re coming out here to celebrate coastal history.”
Williams explains that when you visit the museum you’ll not only learn about Davis’ time at Beauvoir and the grounds, but the lasting impacts he’s had on coastal Mississippi. “The legislation to erect the Biloxi lighthouse was backed by legislation from Jefferson Davis made in 1848. So, it’s not just Beauvoir that he’s affected, it’s the entire Gulf Coast.”
Intern Clay Westfaul said, “Being able to see where he ended up and where he retired to and learning about the story of this home as well has been quite fascinating to me.”
From 1879 to 1889, the Davis family made the property their year-round home. It was willed to him by a renowned Mississippi author Sarah Dorsey. “Beauvoir has a lot to offer other than just Jefferson Davis’ home and a lot of Mississippi people that were quite famous as well. His connection here is one of the most important ones because he gives us the name and the attraction, but the longer you stay here, the more you find out about Beauvoir and its history.”
The grounds open at 9 a.m. and there will be special guest speakers, a 21-gun salute, and period-dressed tour guides to show you around the house every hour. There will also be cupcakes.
