Book this tour

A 2 day tour of Mississippi
from our Southeastern issue,
Spring 2012.

	Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia/Gary Bridgman
	William Faulkner christened his Oxford home Rowan Oak.

A charming town wrapped around a historic square is a common site in the South. 

But Oxford is a distinctive destination both within the bounds of its town square and beyond. 

This truly southern town is the home of the University of Mississippi, best known as Ole Miss. 

Author William Faulkner called Oxford home for years, and popularized the city for audiences around the world.

More modern authors John Grisham, Barry Hannah and Larry Brown also have connections to the town of 19,000 residents. It’s also home to Square Books, a renowned independent bookstore.

Day One

10 a.m. — A docent-led driving tour will introduce your group to the charms of Oxford and the university. 

11:15 a.m. — No literary fans worth their salt would miss a visit to the Faulkner Room at Ole Miss. The J.D. Williams Library houses this exhibit dedicated to Oxford’s own Nobel Prize-winning author. The actual prize is in the collection, along with the author’s private papers and other treasures.   

12:30 p.m. — It’s time for lunch on the square. Ever since Oxford was incorporated in 1837, it’s been a center of economics and culture. Oxford’s restaurants serve up a mix of Southern classics and other cuisines.  

1:30 p.m. — After the meal has wrapped up, enjoy the historic square. Square Books, an art gallery, a long-standing department store, boutiques and other charming places are there to discover. 

	Photo: Kallie Dreher, Hello Delta
	Follow in the footsteps of author William Faulkner on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford.

2 p.m. — Tour Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner. This 1844 stately residence provided a home to Faulkner from 1930 until his death in 1962. He christened the house Rowan Oak after the legend of the Rowan tree, which harbored magic powers of safety and protection according to Celtic legend. While he was living here with this wife and daughter, Faulkner wrote Absalom, Absalom! and Light in August, among other classics. 

5 p.m. — Return to the square for dinner.

Day Two

8 a.m. — Rise and shine in time for a leisurely breakfast in your hotel. 

10 a.m. — Enjoy the University Museum, which is comprised of the Mary Buie Museum, adjoining Kate Skipwith Teaching Museum, Seymour Lawrence Gallery of American Art and the Lib Fortune Gallery. 

11:30 a.m. — Remain on campus for a tour of the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The 88,000-square-foot event hall houses dance studios, a reception hall, green rooms and other spaces. 

12:30 p.m. — Break for lunch on campus or back at the square. 

2 p.m. — Visit the LQC Lamar House, a modest Greek Revival residence. Namesake Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar was active in politics before and after the Civil War. 

He is one of the few men ever to serve in all three branches of the federal government, as a U.S. senator, Secretary of the Interior and Supreme Court judge. 

3 p.m. — Depart Oxford.

For more details on group visits, itineraries and tours, contact Oxford Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Manager Mary-Allyn Roulhac at (662) 232-2477 or by email at maryallyn@oxfordcvb.com.

Oxford CVB
(800) 758-9177
www.oxfordcvb.com

Offer your Mississippi itineraries to the editor.
Mail: 2465 112th Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
Fax: (616) 393-0085
Phone: 1-800-767-3489 between 8am - 5pm, EST.