National Register of Historic Places

Ward, Junius R., House

Erwin, Washington County, Mississippi

Listed

April 27, 1975

Type

Building

Period

Industrial

Ref No.

75001060

About this property

The Junius R. Ward House (a.k.a. Erwin House) is a historic house and former Southern plantation in Erwin, Mississippi. It is located in Erwin, Washington County, Mississippi. The house was built on a plantation from 1827 to 1830, making it the oldest house still standing in Washington County, Mississippi. Prior to this house, a log cabin had been built at this location. The logs can still be seen in the attic. Thus, in 1830, Junius R. Ward, a planter from Kentucky who used the forced labor of enslaved people, built this house. In 1877, the house was passed on to his daughter, Matilda Ward. She was married John Erwin, the original owner of Mount Holly in Foote, Mississippi. Painter George Caleb Bingham did a portrait of Maltilda Ward, which still hangs on a wall inside the house. The house was inherited by their son, Victor Erwin, who lived there with his wife, Margaret Preston McNeilly, the daughter of Confederate veteran and newspaper publisher J. S. McNeilly. A loggia at the back of the house was added in 1910, as well as a rear cabinet in 1925. During that time, William Alexander Percy, the author of Lanterns on the Levee, was often invited to the house. In 1940, it was inherited by their daughter, Margaret Erwin Shutt, who lived there with her husband, William Shutt. They restored the house. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since April 28, 1975.

Location

Erwin, Washington County, Mississippi

33.10375, -91.04733

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Overview

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The Land

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Geology

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Conflict & War

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The Civil War

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The Soldiers

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Native Heritage

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Settlement

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The Community

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Rivers & Rail

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Notable People

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Finds & Access

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Literature

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Nearby Historic Sites

Hollandale Downtown Historic District

Listed

11.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Ward, Junius R., House listed on the National Register?

Ward, Junius R., House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 27, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Ward, Junius R., House?

Ward, Junius R., House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Ward, Junius R., House?

The period of significance for Ward, Junius R., House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Ward, Junius R., House?

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