Caldwell and Reeds team up to buy Cedar Grove

Vicksburg realtor Harley Caldwell, Kendra and Dr. Steven Reed have teamed up to purchase Cedar Grove.

Harley Caldwell, Dr. Steven Reed and Kendra Reed are the new owners of Cedar Grove. Photo by David Day.

“Everyone has a Cedar Grove story, they got married here, engaged here, they celebrated their anniversary, it’s always about love,” said Innkeeper Kendra Reed.

A statuette in the gardens. Photo by David Day

The property has long been a premier destination in Vicksburg for events and tourists. The long and storied history of Cedar Grove dates back to 1840 when 28-year-old John Klein built the home for his bride, Elizabeth. It took Klein 12 years to build the home which covered 5 acres and included gardens that extended to his own dock on the waters of the Mississippi below.

Cedar Grove. Photo by David Day

The home was almost demolished in 1960 until the Little Theater Guild saved it and used it for plays. In 1981 it was sold to a private investor who turned it into a bed and breakfast. It changed hands several times since then and had a peak period in the early 2000s. It was the place to be.

“We want to make it that place again and get it back to its former glory,” stated Dr. Reed who was mowing the grass when the Vicksburg Daily News arrived. “We found a painting that shows the grounds back in the day. It shows the hillsides all cleaned out, the tennis court up top. It just looks fantastic. We want to get it back to that.”

A bedroom in Cedar Grove. Photo by David Day

“We’re looking forward to opening up the rooftop, maybe having music up there once in a while. We’re going to make sunset a thing! Just come and watch the sunset here,” said a determined Kendra. “We have some amazing views. We want to restore that bar and make it the place for a cool drink while you watch the river. I personally think Cedar Grove is the crown jewel of Vicksburg, she just needs a little polish. And I thank God for Harley because I think with the three of us we have the resources to bring it back.”

The 3rd-floor balcony with majestic river views. Sunsets are being planned for this location. Photo by David Day

The Reed’s purchased the McRaven tour home in 2015 and it is currently one of the top 5 attractions in Vicksburg. They purchased the Belle of the Bends Bed and Breakfast in 2017 and enjoy the 165-year-old-plus crepe myrtle and peaceful views of the river. Also in 2015, Harley Caldwell purchased the Duff Green Bed and Breakfast turning it into one of Vicksburg’s top destinations.

A bust of John Klein welcomes visitors to Cedar Grove. Photo by David Day

“I’ve been in hospitality since I was 14,” explained Kendra. “My first job was with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I used to sell programs and mints from one of those little cigarette trays, I had to be in costume. The whole thing is not new to me and I like hospitality, I love it, obviously because we’re jumping in with both feet!”

A gazebo in the yard at Cedar Grove. Photo by David Day

Cedar Grove features 13 rooms in the house, 8 in the Carriage House, 2 in the pool house and 3 up the top of the hill by the church. “We’re going to focus first here in the main house. We’re going to focus on getting this ready and beautiful so we can host tours, we can host catering events, weddings, special events, meetings, all those kinds of things. We have 3 or 4 suites that were going to upgrade the bathrooms in the house, the main house. We’re going to make it a high-end room.”

Once the main house is operating the team will focus on finding a restaurateur with Kendra emphasizing, “We’ve got to find the right one.”

A sitting room for meetings or entertainment. Photo by David Day