During the annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage, visitors gain rare access to magnificent pre-civil war homes and centuries of Southern history
Take a trip back in time and enjoy unmatched hospitality and historic homes at the annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage.
Spring Pilgrimage is an annual event in picturesque Columbus, Mississippi, where visitors are invited to step inside history and tour a selection of pre-Civil War homes and exquisite gardens. Many of these homes are private residences and only available for viewing during the annual Pilgrimage. Each home has its own fascinating story to tell of the past and present.
Spring Pilgrimage Tour dates are set for April 1-10, 2027. The full schedule will be announced soon. Bring your group, explore the historic districts and delight in all that the Columbus Spring Pilgrimage has to offer.
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Historic homes and architecture
During the Civil War, Columbus was a hospital town, so when much of the South was burned, Columbus was spared. As a result, Columbus is full of historic homes and architecture that was lost in much of the region. Columbus is home to three National Register Historic Districts and more than 650 National Register Historic Properties.
Multiple annual spring events run alongside Spring Pilgrimage, including Tales From the Crypt and Catfish in the Alley. Tales from the Crypt offers live history performances and candlelit tours of Friendship Cemetery. Catfish in the Alley is an annual culture and music festival celebrating African American history and influence on the city of Columbus. Other events that have been held include History Through Art and Music, Stella Shouting Contest and the Blue Bonet Trailblazer 5K Challenge.
“Spring is one of the most exciting times of year in our community. With live entertainment, home tours, and seasonal events, we invite visitors and residents alike to experience the culture, history, and energy that make our town special,” said Frances Glenn, Tourism Director for the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau.
A host of beautiful homes open to the public
Examples of historic homes that have been displayed during the Spring Pilgrimage include:
Magnolia Hill (Circa 1825)
Built by Thomas McGee, Magnolia Hill is a notable example of Columbus’ raised-cottage architecture, overlooking the historic Military Road. Unlike other raised cottages, its upper level features log construction clad in clapboard siding. The home reflects a blend of Federal and Greek Revival styles, with its west facade largely unchanged.
Kidd’s Tavern (Circa 1826)
This home once served as a tavern and stagecoach stop during the frontier era. Later, the Wood family used it as a seminary for Cumberland Presbyterian preachers. In 2026, Kidd’s Tavern celebrated its 200th birthday.
Twelve Gables (Circa 1837)
This home is one of Columbus’ earliest surviving examples of Greek Revival architecture, known for its distinctive gabled roofline, millwork, and ashlar stone pattern on the facade fashioned after Mt. Vernon. In 1866, it hosted the meeting that inspired Memorial Day, blending architectural beauty with a complex history shaped by both compassion as a refuge for wounded Civil War soldiers and the painful legacy of slavery.
Shadowlawn (Circa 1848)
Towering columns and charming Italianate and Gothic accents clearly identify as “Columbus Eclectic.” The house features examples of teh elegant Victorian lifestyle. Shadowlawn’s 2001 restoration was featured on HGTV’s Old Homes Restored. Located by The W, Shadowlawn’s owner Burnette Avakian welcomes overnight guests in its bed and breakfast.
Cady House (Circa 1849)
Built by Colonel William M. Cady, this home is one of the earliest brick homes of its period. Originally a small cottage built in the 1840s, a mid-1850s expansion transformed the house into an Italianate-style house.
Riverview (Circa 1850)
Designed by James Lull for Colonel Charles McLaran, this Greek Revival showpiece features identical facades on 1st and 2nd Streets. A cupola displays stained glass windows symbolizing the four seasons, and a counter-weighted wall can be raised to expand the family dining room to banquet size. Riverview is a National Historic Landmark.
Snowdoun (Circa 1854)
Built for James Whitfield, Governor of Mississippi, Jefferson Davis was a guest in this home during his campaign for the U.S. Senate. It is designed around an octagonal center hall. The rooms opening off the hall are square with triangular closets. Snowdoun’s seven porches are reached by jib windows which open out at the bottom to serve Built by Governor James Whitfield. Snowdoun is known for its rare octagonal design and distinctive two-story portico with fluted octagonal columns. The home’s original octagonal cupola was lost to a fire in 1919 and later replaced with a gable style.
White Arches (Circa 1857)
Built by Jeptha Vining Harris, White Arches is a striking blend of Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, and Italianate styles, known as “Columbus Eclectic;’ featuring delicate tracery and a three-story octagonal tower. Once home to the scholar and legislator, it showcases walnut bookcases and sits amid beautiful landscaping.
Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, the arts, culinary traditions, or all of the above, Columbus Spring Pilgrimage has something for everyone.
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