Springfield Plantation

We arrived at approximately 5:30 p.m. and the gate was open. We drove back the long lane and saw the sign that indicated the tour fee if going beyond the next fence. We entered only to find NO one around and the house not opened. We drove back the long lane only to find that the gate we had just entered was closed. We felt like we were in the Twilight Zone. No cell service so we could not make a phone call for help. I crawled under the fence and walked to a nearby house to see if we could get any help. The person who came out to speak to me explained that the owner of the house had died and the new owner was not showing it any longer. In the meantime, my husband and son had retrieved tools from our van and were ready to try to break the lock on an older gate that was beside the newly installed one. A man drove up just as they were about to try and said "Did you get caught in here?" He then let them out. He definitely needs to take down his sign, ask the Natchez Parkway to remove the sign from the Trace, have the signs along Mississippi 553 removed, have AAA remove the stop from the Mississippi Tour Book, and remove the brochures from all the places that have them. UGH!!

We just got a brochure for Springfield which clearly states they are open year round 9:30am to sunset. Imagine our surprise when we drove 2 hrs to get there (at 1:30pm on 7/25) to find the gates closed. I'll tell my friends not to bother.

We loved visiting this old home and found Mr. de la Salle most interesting. but I wonder what has become of this unique place since his death.the history of this place is fascinating!

We visit the Natchez area almost annually. We have visited almost every plantation home within a large radius of Natchez. We drove out of the way to see Springfield based on the brochure. It would be a facinating home to tour if only the old man would have given us the home's history rather than sitting us down to hear him rant about the U.S. government. Not sure why he never moved to England since he hates America so much. He referred to the 4th of July as "propaganda"! What a lunatic. We, like so many other reviewers went for the home's history not a political rant that had nothing to do with the house. Maybe all those lonely nights out there have made this old fool batty. We made and excuse to get the hell out of there missing most of the "tour" which was all about his love and devotion for the freakin' queen of England. Some reviewers called him "charming, fascinating" etc. We found him to be a crashing boor. Maybe those postive reviewers caught him on a good day when his nutty head was screwed on right. If you go to visit historical antebellum homes skip this one!!! There are so many wonderful tours in Natchez, Vicksburg and down into St. Francisville LA. I don't know if the old man is even still alive but when he goes to that great Parliment in the sky, hopefully someone with something interesting to say about Springfield will take over. Then maybe we'll go visit and get the tour we wanted in the first place.

we have known Mr. LaSalle for many years. He is absolutely a treasure trove when it comes to history and more recognition should be given. Springfield Plantation would no longer exist if it would have not been for Mr. LaSalle. At one time it was used for hay storage. He certainly saved that beautiful house. Yes, there is a certain dislike for women for very personal reasons and yes he admires the Queen greatly, however advances towards young girls are unknown. The plantation is a must see for all those that are interested in our history. The founders of Springfield, the Greens of Virginia, were a most interesting family. My husband and I never miss a stop when on our way from Florida to Texas.

The tour guide was a lonely old man with unlimited knowledge. The house was stunning and the furnishings were impressive. The best feature of the plantation was the grounds. They were beautiful and the peace and tranquility was intoxicating!! It was however hard to find and the house is in need of repairs.

This was a very interesting place to visit. Loaded with history and the unexpected. Unlike all the other cookie cutter plantations in the area this one stood out on it's own. The landscape was outstanding but most of all inside was a real treat. Original all the way. Mr. LaSalle (our tour guide) was very informative and polite. We loved the tour very much and will return next year.

Springfield Plantation is the life's work of Arthur LaSalle. My wife and I have known Mr. LaSalle since 1978 when we first visited Springfield. His devotion to the plantation and to it's preservation have been constant and unswerving. Though some may see him as rather eccentric, when you know his background you realize that he is just like most of the rest of us. He loves Springfield and it's history and hopes to see that story told long after his passing. Too many of the South's landmarks have become beautified money makers. Springfield remains as one of the least altered places that I have seen and I treasure it's unique place in history. Arthur LaSalle is the most authenic eccentric that I have ever known.

I knew we were in trouble when we started to walk toward the house and saw about 30-50 feral cats outside. I've seen historical homes in a state of preservation (Drayton Hall) so I wasn't turned off by the exterior or interior of the house. Mr. LaSalle was a character, and did a lot of talking about English (Queen) history. He doesn't focus on the history of the home. We tried very hard to keep him on track, but he had his own schedule. My daughter (30) left me to wander the house on her own. I stayed with Mr. LaSalle. When she came back she said "Mom, this is weird, it's like a museum to him!" She was right, but I do recommend people go see this beautiful plantation and pay the $10 to help keep it going.

We were driving up the Natchez Trace Parkway and just happened to see a sign that said Springfield Plantation. We decided to turn off and check it out, it was very interesting the man that gave the tour knew the history of the house and area very well. I learned that day that Andrew Jackson was married to Rachel in that house.