Our Natchez bed and breakfast consists of three historic Victorian homes just a few steps apart on beautiful North Union Street among celebrated Antebellum Homes. On the National Historic Register, our inn is located in a beautiful area in Natchez within walking distance of downtown where you’ll find delightful shopping, dining, and the picturesque Mississippi River Bluff.
1893 Victorian Main House
Escape to quiet times, comfort, and history in Natchez, Mississippi. Come to The Devereaux Shields House, a Bed and Breakfast in Natchez, MS. One of the Queen Anne Victorian homes in a city filled with architectural magnificence. The Devereaux Shields House B&B is an elegant two-story home set on exquisitely manicured gardens covered with Natchez crepe myrtles and camellias. Since coming to Natchez in 2004 we have come to love many things about our home and Natchez, MS. Our home is just a few blocks from the 200-foot-high Natchez Bluffs, which offers a stunning view of the Mississippi River. Enjoy dramatic sunsets across the western horizon and Louisiana lowlands; relax with the slow pace of the huge tows and barges as they navigate the currents of the river.
We chose to honor the first owners of city record (1893) of this property by naming our Bed & Breakfast after Lt. Colonel and Ms. Devereaux Shields. Lt. Colonel Shields served as deputy commander of the 2nd Regiment of the Mississippi Volunteer Infantry in response to President Theodore Roosevelt’s call for action upon the explosion of the battleship Maine. He became a veteran and hero for his exploits also serving as a Captain with the U.S. Army, 29th Volunteer Infantry, in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War in the late 19th Century. He remained engaged in combat operations in the Philippines until wounded, after which he returned to his wife in Natchez December 1900. The Theodore Crouthers family built and owned the home from the late 1890s -1949, while the David Junkin family owned the home from 1949-1995. James Pippin restored the home to its early elegance from 1995-2004. The home stands across the street from Chatawa Cottage, built in 1900 by John Periander Walworth and his wife Marion Alice (Lela) Gordon, and the Walworth family home, The Burn, built-in 1836 by John’s grandfather. Aunt Clara’s Cottage was historically part of The Burn property with Clara and many of the room names derived from the Walworth family names or holdings. The current owners of the Devereaux Shields House and Aunt Clara’s Cottage, Ronald and Eleanor Fry, are continuing loving renovation and owner-operated Bed and Breakfast activities. Enjoy an exceptional Natchez lodging experience.
We hosted a rewarding Crouthers Family Reunion on October 13, 2012 with members attending from around the country.
1873 Victorian Aunt Clara’s Cottage
Aunt Clara’s Cottage has been a bed and breakfast for several decades and named for one of the Walworth daughters raised at The Burn antebellum home next door. Our cottage provides four spacious rooms in a charming 1870’s Victorian with heart pine floors, large veranda, and ample sitting areas. There is also a reading room. Aunt Clara’s is located at 718 North Union Street, a couple doors from the main Devereaux Shields House.
Relax during your stay with us whether its quiet time rocking in chairs with morning coffee on the front porch, sitting together overlooking the peaceful neighborhood street from the upper front porch, or strolling the beautiful surrounding gardens. Go on peaceful, early morning walks hand-in-hand along the rise overlooking the persistent and meandering Mississippi river just blocks away, walk just a few blocks into the old town center for breakfast, lunch or dinner, enjoy the beauty and significance of the Antebellum and Victorian homes in the original Historic District of Natchez, MS or the equally beautiful Garden District. Perhaps, tour the beautiful Antebellum and Victorian homes throughout the entire city that survived the Civil War unharmed.
1893 Bost House
Proud to announce the opening of our 1893 Bost House in October 2019. This home features 3 guest rooms, a dedicated massage spa, a 4th master suite coming soon, and huge common areas (signature double-parlor) for lounging with a working gas fireplace for guest comfort on cool days. Our homes are within walking distance (10-15 min) of downtown sites, restaurants, shopping, and the Mississippi River Bluff. Our houses feature wonderful gardens for all our guests to stroll through and provide exceptional Natchez lodging options. Check out the relative locations HERE of our 3 houses that make up our Natchez Bed & Breakfast.
Our Bost House was designed and built by Robert Bost who was very prominent in early Natchez history where he designed & built over 40 homes. In 2021 we received an award from The Natchez Historic Foundation for our restoration & renovation activities on this 707 N Union Victorian home.
Directions to Devereaux Shields House
From New Orleans MS – via I-55 N – approx. 2 hrs 40 mins without traffic
Take I-10 from downtown New Orleans, Pydras Street and merge onto I-10 heading West. Take exit 210 for I-55 North going towards Hammond. Continue on I-55 for about 85 miles and then take exit 20B to merge onto US-98 West Lawrence Street toward Natchez. Turn left to merge onto US-84 W/US-98W, follow for 28 miles and then turn left onto Us-61 S/US-84W. Go 3 and 1/2 miles and then turn right onto Lynda Lee Drive, continue onto Wilson Road and then turn left onto N Doctor M.L.K. Jr St. Turn right onto W Oak street and then finally turn left onto N. Union St. We are on the left side of the road.
From Jackson MS – via I-55 S – approx. 1 hr 40 mins without traffic
Take US-51 S/State Street from downtown. Follow I-55 for approx. 33 miles to MS-28 W in Copiah County. Take exit 61 for MS-28 towards Hazlehurst/Fayette and follow MS-28 W for about 46 miles to US-61 in Jefferson County. Turn left onto US-61 S and then turn right onto Lynda Lee Drive, continue onto Wilson Road and then turn left onto N Doctor M.L.K. Jr St. Turn right onto W Oak street and then finally turn left onto N Union St. We are on the left side of the road.
From Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport – via US-61 – approx. 1 hr 28 mins without traffic
Take I-110 N from Veterans Memorial Blvd. and merge onto I-110 N toward Natchez. Take exit 8C to merge onto US-61 N toward Natchez. Follow for around 80 miles and then turn left onto John R Junkin Dr. (Hwy 425). Continue on Hohn R. Junkin Dr. and turn right on Homochitto Street. Follow to N Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Street and then turn right. Turn left onto W. Oak St. and then left onto N. Union Street, we are on the left side of the road.
