Site description
The Beauvoir is located in Biloxi, Mississippi at the retired home of President Jefferson Davis. The site since it was built in 1848 existed as the home of the retired president existed from 1876 to 1889. The site has a large compound which can be approximated to about 50 acres of land. Within the site, there is a botanical garden, a gift shop, a plantation residence, Jefferson Davis presidential library and Museum.
There is also a confederate cemetery that is historic and includes an unknown confederate soldier tomb. There are many large trees that seem to have been in existence for many years on the property which faces the Spanish moss and Gulf of Mexico. Considering that the area has experienced frequent gulf coast hurricanes, the site still stands out to be amazing and full of attraction to visitors and every person who visits the site will be amazed.
The main house at the site was built in the 1849 by James Brown who is a planter from Madison County, Mississippi. The planter built the house with the aim of creating a summer home that he can use with his family. In a bid to have the building attractive enough for his family, he built the house next to a beach. The Beauvoir is raised from the ground which means that the foundation is made of massive pillars that allow for the flow of water through the ground. The building has a high ceiling and large windows creating a well ventilated room for people inside. The large windows and the high ceiling acted as a well-functioning air conditioner that allowed free flow of air through from the beach. The structural design of the building shows how brown paid close attention to quality of materials with the knowledge of natural disasters that can occur from time to time. Brown owned the house for twenty five years within which the family used the house as a holiday home.
Historical significance of the site
The site has a historic significance according to the Mississippi department of archives and history. The historical significance of the constructor and the site is with regards to the type of building that the house has. The building is attributed to the old buildings with aesthetic appeal. The building is strong having survived the numerous hurricanes that occur around the area. Most importantly, the site presents every visitor with appreciation to architecture and art based on the fact that the constructor of the building did not have a wide knowledge about building.
The site was the last home for the confederate president Jefferson Davis who was among the founding fathers of the United States. The fact that the site served as his retirement home serves history and it will forever be remembered for that. Beauvoir thus has a historical significant that ties it to the American history. The history of America is recognized from any little thing that can be related to the foundation of the country. In one way or another, the foundation of the country. The Beauvoir was loved by Jefferson due to its location and view of the Mexican gulf. After his death, the wife could not afford living within the building since it was large and expensive. She thus resorted to move out.
The house then became the home to many veterans when it was bought by the Mississippi division of the veterans. The house thus was now a home to the Jefferson Davis Soldiers creating another Jefferson Davis legacy on the house. The presence of the veterans at the house presents another part of history that has lived to be remembered to the present day. The Jefferson legacy has been maintained in the site which is important even in the present age.
Reasons for choosing the site and relation to studied
I find that the site is unlike other historical sites, special in some way. Beginning with the physical attraction to the site. Any person travelling through US highway 90 through from the Biloxi Beach would see the view of the Beauvoir. The Beauvoir presented a beautiful scene coupled with historical attachment of the United States. As a result, I saw the site more important for my study as well as my leisure visit. Tourists visit the site just to experience the thrill that it comes with. The fact that the building was built in 1949 creates and interesting scenario to the knowledge about the materials used in constructing such an old building.
Additionally, the fact that the historic site has faced numerous natural calamities from hurricanes the latest is the hurricane Catrina that destroyed most part of the site. Such devastating effects of the hurricane have seen the house undergo renovations which end up taking away the historical point of view creating newness. Even though this happens, it clearly explains the need for the wife of Jefferson to vacate the house after the death of her husband. One of the reasons why the left Mississippi was because she was not able to keep up with the repairs that were required every time hurricanes strike. It, thus, presents a well detailed historical explanation to the events that every person understands to the present age.
The housing of the veterans presents an evidence of the history lessons that we learn from class. The house probably stored a lot of secrets about war and the military leaders in the United States. The military solders in the United States present a very important part of history of the country. The site present the fact learnt from the books about where veterans settled after war. America has suffered numerous wars that have seen devastating effects on the country all in a bid to redeem the country. The military cemetery in the property presents the fact that many soldiers who were killed during war were buried within the site. The site thus has an important historical significance with the United States.
According to the facts presented in the book, the site presents most of the information from the period which Jefferson took over the house to the present period. Some of the facts about the house are erased due to the disaster that strake the site in 2005. The hurricane was the worst in American history and the destruction was massive. As a result, most of the historical facts about the house were erased and information could not be traced back. However, the renovation the site has tried to present back the information of the life of Jefferson and the life of the Veterans.
The house is an important historical site that can be used to teach history to the people. It is always important to have a practical aspect of something for better understanding. The Beauvoir presents an important part of the history of America that can be used to teach school going students. Additionally, it is also an important tourist attraction site due to the heritage that it holds within the walls. A person would not understand the importance unless the person pays a visit. Many people are enthusiastic about the history of the United States which is presented through some of these historical sites.
In conclusion, the historic heritage of the United States is important as I discovered at the Beauvoir during the visit. It is very important for the heritage to be protected against anything that will cause erosion or end the history that has been stored for numerous years. The history is supposed to remain to keep reminding the people about the origin of the country. The history also helps symbolize the importance of unity and peace in the United States.
