Auburn was the first home to be built in Natchez using an architectural design. One of the home's most beautiful and unusual features is the lovely freestanding spiral staircase in the foyer.
But what makes this staircase even more interesting than its delicate, airy grace is the tale of Levi Weeks, the architect Lyman hired to design his beautiful home. The tale of Levi Weeks is mysterious and violent and fraught with drama and involved the most sensational murder trial of the 19th Century. Following a not-guilty verdict in the murder of his sweetheart, Elma Sands, Weeks left New York because of public sentiment against him. He move to Deerfield, Massachussetts; then Cincinnati, Ohio; then to Lexington Kentucky. The story followed him until he finally landed in Natchez, and became a successful architect.
staircase photos by Elodie Pritchartt © 2011
Your photographs of the remarkable staircase are excellent! I read the story and came back to your blog to thank you for posting your photographs and for the link to this very strange tale. This part was alarming, 'Before the funeral, Elma’s body was on public display in the boardinghouse. When the crowd became too great, the open casket was moved to the street. It was guarded by friends and public officials, while thousands of people passed by.'
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a picture hard to erase from the mind?
Blackbird