City approves Duff Green Mansion as resort

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The City of Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a resolution declaring the Duff Green Mansion as a resort at its regular meeting held Monday, Nov. 17.

In the State of Mississippi the Alcohol and Beverage Control Division allows for an entity to obtain a liquor license if the facility is designated as a resort. The mansion located at 1114 First East Street, will now be designated as a resort and able to serve alcoholic beverages to guests after the license is obtained.

According to a letter submitted to the board by Duff Green Mansion owner, Harley Caldwell, the tourist attraction houses over 4000 over night guests per year. Additionally the letter claims to host an additional 3,000 American Cruise Line guests for tours each year.

The need for a resort status is due to the fact the mansion owners do not want to open a restaurant on the premises, therefore in order to serve alcoholic beverages, the location must be designated as a resort in order to apply for the license.

According to Caldwell the history of the mansion dates back to seven years prior to the siege of Vicksburg.

Caldwell’s letter provides a summary of the history of the mansion, and is as follows:

“Built in 1856 just 7 years before the Siege of Vicksburg, the mansion constructed to be a private home served as a hospital for both Union and Confederate soldiers. Duff is said to have gotten word to the Union officers that not only was the home a hospital for both sides, but the Union wounded were being housed on the top floor. Amazingly the shelling slowed and many structures surrounding this home were saved. Duff Green, the original owner, quickly moved his alliance from the Confederacy to the Union when the opportunity to rent the home to the United States as a soldier’s rest home arose after the Siege. Duff was paid in US dollars two years before the Confederacy fell.”