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Saint Peter's Cemetery, also known as the Oxford Memorial Cemetery, is a well-known cemetery located in Oxford, Mississippi. The cemetery is known for containing the graves of several notable individuals, the most famous being William Faulkner. During his lifetime, Faulkner was an influential American novelist. His grave is honored by numerous visitors each year. Though Faulkner's grave is the most notable in the cemetery, there are countless other important graves on the grounds. The graves of both a Revolutionary War hero and a Confederate General are located in the cemetery, as well as a supreme court justice. In addition to those, a Hall of Fame football coach is buried in the cemetery alongside Oxford's yellow fever victims. The cemetery also contains the graves of citizens of Oxford throughout the years. The cemetery's many different graves make it an important historical location for Oxford and its residents.

Saint Peter's Cemetery is the final resting place of William Faulkner

The cemetery is also a resting place for many citizens of Oxford, Mississippi

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Saint Peter's Cemetery, which is also known as the Oxford Memorial Cemetery, is a cemetery in Oxford, Mississippi known for holding several important graves. This historic cemetery serves as the final resting place of William Faulkner, renowned author and one of the most influential American writers. While Faulkner's grave is the most visited, the cemetery includes the graves of former U.S. Congressman Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a man who also served in Grover Cleveland's Cabinet and became an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. The cemetery also includes the graves of soldiers and officers in the Civil War as well as a veteran of the Revolutionary War. 

Saint Peter’s Cemetery and Grave of William Faulkner

Oxford is the home of William Faulkner, so this tour begins at his home and concludes as his final resting place. Along the way, visitors to Oxford can visit landmarks such as the Square and historic homes such as Ammadelle and the home of 19th-century politician L.Q.C. Lamar. The tour also includes Isom Place and the home of novelist and playwright Stark Young.

Walking Tour of Oxford Mississippi

William Faulkner was born in Albany, Mississippi in 1897 but moved to Oxford in 1901. He joined the Royal Canadian Flying Force in 1918 but was too late to see action in WWI. After returning to Oxford in 1919, he attended the University of Mississippi where he wrote and illustrated for the school paper. He began working in a bookstore in New York City in 1921 but returned shortly thereafter to become postmaster in Oxford, a job which he would greatly dislike. He moved to New Orleans in 1925 and continued to write, publishing stories in literary magazines and writing his first novel, Soldiers' Pay. After a trip to Europe, he returned to Oxford where he held a number of odd jobs including painting and carpentry. A fellow writer in New Orleans, Sherwood Anderson, suggested to Faulkner that he write about the South, as he (Faulkner) was a true "southern boy." This suggestion would prove to be a turning point in Faulkner's career. In 1931, his novel Sanctuary earned him wide critical acclaim. However, it wasn't until 1946 that a compilation of his works really boosted his profile nationally and internationally. Called the Yoknapatawpha series, the series is comprised of volumes and novels of short stories written between 1929-1962. Yoknapatawpha is the name Faulker made up for mythical county in the south. Though fictional, the county was also grounded in reality and served as a parable about the South. As such, Faulkner dealt with the wealthy aristocracy, the commercial class, race relations, the bravery of African Americans, and the incompatibility of nature and the modern world.

Constructed in 1844, Rowan Oak was the home of William Faulkner from 1930-1962. Faulkner was one of the 20th century's greatest writers, best known for his novels As I Lay Dying and The Sound and the Fury. He earned the Nobel Prize in literature in 1950 and the Pullitzer Prize in 1955 and 1963 (posthumously). The estate became a National Historic Landmark in 1968. The University of Mississippi acquired the property in 1972 and operates the home as a museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the life of one of America's most-influential novelists. 

Rowan Oak, The William Faulkner House

The Bailey's Woods Trail is a historic walking trail in Oxford, Mississippi. Once a part of the grounds and means of&nbsp;inspiration&nbsp;belonging to American writer&nbsp;William Faulkner, the trail was left untouched for many years until the University of Mississippi adopted it with aims to&nbsp;preserve its beauty and history. The trail connects the University of Mississippi Museum with Faulkner's historic home, Rowan Oak. Together, the museum and Rowan Oak attract approximately 35 thousand visitors per year, making the trail and the surrounding area a popular location for both locals and tourists.&nbsp; The University Museum began improving the trail in 2002, adding bridges and walking steps while being careful to&nbsp;preserve the natural beauty of the wooded&nbsp;ecosystem. After the improvements were completed, the trail opened to the public in 2008. A loved site for hikers, pet walkers, visiting education groups, and university classes, the trail was&nbsp;designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2012.&nbsp;According to the National Recreation Trails website, the Bailey's Woods Trail <blockquote>"is&nbsp;approximately 3/5 mile in length, and takes an average of 20 minutes one-way on foot."2</blockquote>

The Bailey's Woods Trail is a National Recreation Trail near the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. The trail runs through the woods that American author William Faulkner, perhaps pondering his next great work, often walked. Today, it connects the University of Mississippi Museum and Rowan Oak, Faulkner's historic home. The trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2012 and is open to the public year-round.

Bailey's Woods Trail

The University of Mississippi Museum is part of the the campus of the University of Mississippi. The museum is dedicated to displaying items of regional history and culture while incorporating artifacts from other locations and cultures. With displays featuring art, artifacts, historic tools and instruments, and more, the museum appeals to a wide variety of visitors. The museum itself began as the Mary Buie Museum, which grew from the Oxford Art Center. The Oxford Art Center was a community art center that opened in 1939. It eventually evolved into the Mary Buie Museum when artist Mary Skipwith Buie left her estate to the City of Oxford. The museum also contained the collection of Kate Skipwith, Mary's sister. Alongside Mary's art, the museum contained artifacts and Revolutionary War correspondence. The museum was operated by the city of Oxford until 1974, when the University of Mississippi took over. In addition to the museum's displays, it also features tours of two historic homes. Located on the museum complex, Rowan Oak is one of Oxford's most well-known historic houses. The house was once the residence of author William Faulkner, a renowned American novelist. After being renovated in 2001, the house was reopened to the public and remains open today for tours. The museum also owns the Walton-Young Historic House, once the home of Stark Young. It is also open for tours.

The University of Mississippi Museum is located in Oxford, Mississippi. The museum is operated by the University of Mississippi and is located on its campus. With many rotating collections and exhibits that feature art, artifacts, historic scientific instruments, and more, the museum caters to a wide audience of both locals and tourists. The museum complex also contains Rowan Oak, the historic home of author William Faulkner. The home is open to the public for tours. In addition to Rowan Oak, the museum owns and operates the Walton-Young Historic House. 

University of Mississippi Museum

Originally built in 1880, the structure is a testament to what a&nbsp;common&nbsp;middle class home of the Victorian era would look like.&nbsp;The first homeowner,&nbsp;Horace H. Walton, owned and operated a&nbsp;hardware store on the Oxford Square. He lived in the home with his wife&nbsp;Lydia and their three children, Lewis, Victoria, and Horace,&nbsp;until he passed away in 1891.&nbsp;It was at this time that the home began a relationship with the University of Mississippi, for Lydia boarded college students at the home in order to remain financially stable after her husband's passing. She remarried Dr. Alfred Alexander Young of Como, MS&nbsp;in 1895. He, his son, Stark, and daughter, Julia all moved into the home. According to the official website of the home, <blockquote>"Stark Young was the most famous resident of the Walton-Young house, and he remained there while attending Ole Miss at the turn of the century. Young became a well-known novelist and playwright."1</blockquote>After Dr. and Mrs. Young passed away, the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford bought the home in 1925&nbsp;to use as&nbsp;&nbsp;a parsonage. Four different families resided in the house over the next fifty years until 1974, when the university bought the house and used it for the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and the Honors College. In 1997, the house became a part of the University Museum. According to the official website,&nbsp;<blockquote>"The house is located at the corner of University Avenue and Fifth Street, adjacent to the University Museum. The house is currently closed to the public for renovations."1 </blockquote>Although the house is closed to the public, the University of Mississippi Museum created an art installation at the house in early 2019. The installation featured art from local artists Rebekah Flake, Valerie Guinn Polgar, and Sarah Barch. The purpose of the installation is to bring the house to life. Due to its location and its links to both the town and the university, the house is seen as a point of connection for the area.

Built in 1880, the Walton-Young House is a Mississippi Landmark. After housing the Walton and Young families, which included Stark Young—who became a famous novelist, playwright, and critic—the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford purchased the home in 1925 and used it as a parsonage. In 1974, the University of Mississippi bought the home, and it then housed the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and the Honors College until 1997 when it became a part of the University Museum.

Walton-Young Historic House

The Burns-Belfry Museum and Multicultural Center is dedicated to preserving the history of Oxford, Mississippi and its African American residents. Located in a historic church that was constructed by an African American congregation, the museum pays homage to its roots and educates visitors today about the sacrifices of their ancestors. The land on which the church stands was once owned by a freed slave named Harriston Stearns, whose owner's widowed wife deeded him the property in 1867. Harrison then donated this portion of the land to Burns Methodist Episcopal Church, which was founded in 1867. Harrison became one of the first three freedmen to serve as alderman in Oxford in 1870.&nbsp; A white frame building was constructed on the land after it was acquired by the church. However, by 1910 the church had outgrown the structure and was in need of a larger facility. The church congregation came together to fund and construct a new church building. Some members of the church mortgaged their homes to donate to the project, while others volunteered their time to assist with construction.&nbsp; The congregation remained in the church it constructed in 1910 until 1974, when it moved to a new building. Before being acquired by the foundation, it was last owned by author John Grisham. He agreed to sell the building to the foundation in 2002, thereby saving it from demolition.&nbsp;

Located in a historic church, the Burns-Belfry Museum and Multicultural Center aims to preserve the cultural history of Oxford, particularly the town's African American history. It serves as a museum and meeting place for non-profit organizations. The Center is operated by the Oxford-Lafayette County Heritage Foundation, which was established in 1996. The church building itself was constructed in 1910 by an African American Episcopal congregation, replacing an earlier wooden structure that had become too small. The museum currently features an exhibit about the area's African American history, but plans are in place to create other exhibits that explore other cultures such as the Chicksaw Indians and settlers.

Burns-Belfry Museum and Multicultural Center

St. Peter's Episcopal Church is a historic religious building located in Oxford, Mississippi. The church was built in 1860 and is the oldest surviving religious building in Oxford today. The architecture of the building is also unique, falling under the Early English Style of Gothic Revival Church architecture. The church was at one point designated a "Cathedral Church" in the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, making it an important part of Mississippi's religious history.&nbsp; In 1850, the first bishop of Mississippi, The Right Reverend William Mercer Green, visited the village of Oxford and came in contact with citizens wanting to establish a church there. An organizational meeting for the church was held on May 12, 1851. During the meeting, the church was organized and a vestry and wardens were elected.&nbsp; In 1855, the first resident clergyman was ordained, known as Rev. Prof. Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard. It was under his leadership that the church was built. The building was completed in 1860, and Barnard had the honor of delivering the first sermon on Easter Sunday, 1860. Barnard was also president of the University of Mississippi at one time, a connection that created a relationship between the two institutions that is still present today.&nbsp; In contemporary society today, St. Peter's Episcopal Church remains noteworthy for more than its historical significance. The members of the church have been known to have a large impact on the Oxford community. The church has organized several projects that aim to help those in need in Oxford and the surrounding areas. Several members of the church developed the idea for Eastview Homes, an affordable housing project. The church opened a center focusing on educating severely mentally and physically challenged children in 1972. This center later became known as the Scott Center and was incorporated into Oxford's Public School System. The church has also been involved in Habitat for Humanity, Leap Frog, and a Spanish Ministry. Today, the church offers ESL courses and features a Spanish worship service.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church is the oldest surviving religious building in Oxford, Mississippi. It was built in 1860 and designed in the Gothic Revival style based on the architecture espoused by Englishman John Updike. For a number of years the church was a cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. The church was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1975. 

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

The Square in Oxford, Mississippi is an economic center of Oxford that also boasts rich history. The area is known as a favorite spot for both locals and tourists, attracting many individuals to the shops and galleries. The Square is an excellent place to be immersed in the culture of Oxford itself, allowing visitors to experience the history of Oxford and its people. Known by some as the "Cultural Mecca of the South," Oxford has a variety of history and&nbsp;new experiences to offer visitors.The Square itself contains several notable shops and landmarks. Neilson's Department Store, which opened in 1839, is the oldest department store in the south. There is also Square Books, which opened in 1979 and is known for book signings and readings. Southside Gallery is also located in the square. Featuring artwork by regional, national, and international artists, the gallery brings new artistic works and perspectives into Oxford.&nbsp;The focal point of the square is the Historic Oxford Courthouse. The original courthouse was burned in 1864 when Union troops set the town of Oxford on fire during the Civil War. The courthouse was then rebuilt in 1872 and remains standing today. Visitors are able to tour the building.

The Historic Oxford Square in Oxford, Mississippi is known locally as The Square and serves as a cultural hub of the city. Oxford was incorporated in 1837, and since that time The Square has been known as an economic center and a location that reflects the Oxford culture. Many historic shops and businesses operate within the square, some of the more notable being a celebrated independent bookstore and the oldest department store in the south. There is also an art gallery in the square that showcases the artistic side of Oxford.

The Square-Oxford, MS

Isom Place is a historic home located in Oxford, Mississippi. There has been some dispute over who constructed the house. Some believe the house was built by Thomas Dudley Isom, the first white settler of Oxford and the house's namesake. However, Oxford history states that the Carothers family built the home during the 1840s. The lot was purchased by Samuel Carothers in 1843, and the home was completed in 1844. Samuel then passed away in 1845, allowing Isom to purchase the home in 1847.&nbsp; Dr. Isom first arrived in Oxford in 1835 as a young 19 year-old agent of an Indian trading company. He left to study medicine in Philadelphia and returned in 1839. As the Civil War approached, he argued against secession as a delegate at the Mississippi secession convention. During the war he served as a doctor with the 17th Mississippi regiment. After the war he became one of the more innovative&nbsp;doctors in northern Mississippi in terms of using drugs and surgical techniques. One of his children, Sarah, earned prominence as the first woman to be named to the University of Mississippi faculty. The house itself reflects several periods of architecture. It is believed that the four major sections of the house were built at different times. The original two-story house was constructed first, and a one-and-a-half-story rear wing, a two-story side addition, and a one-story rear addition were added later on. There are no official records of when these additions were constructed, so it is difficult to date the respective parts of the house. The tentative dates rely on the details of the architectural style of each addition. Today, Isom Place serves as the Barksdale Reading Institute. Owners Jim and Sally Barksdale changed the home into the institute in 2000. The institute focuses on assisting Mississippi children with their literacy skills. Children from birth to 3rd grade can improve both pre-literacy and reading abilities with help from the institute.&nbsp;

The Greek-revival style home was built during the 1840s by Samuel Carothers. However, there is a log structure within the home that is thought to have predated the mansion's construction. After Carothers's death, the home was purchased by Dr. Thomas Dudley Isom in 1847, who used the house as his home, office and apothecary. The home belonged to various people throughout its history, but it was well preserved and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Owners Jim and Sally Barksdale turned the house in the Barksdale Reading Institute in 2000, and since then the house has served as a location that promotes growth in literacy skills. The Institute is devoted to helping Mississippi children from birth to 3rd grade improve their pre-literacy and reading skills.

Isom Place

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					First homeowner of Ammadelle Thomas E. B. Pegues reached out to&nbsp;the famed architect Calvert Vaux, who resided in New York. After Vaux&nbsp;showed Pegues his work along the Hudson River, Pegues hired him to design him a Tuscany inspired home in Oxford, Mississippi. The bricks used to make the home were crafted by Pegues' slaves.&nbsp;Due to the Civil War, construction on the home was paused, and the back balcony and wine cellar that appear in Vaux's original drawings were never added. Interestingly, the home had&nbsp;a secret room in which Confederate soldiers hid during the war, and the kitchen was in the house itself and not in a separate structure. This&nbsp;was a common practice back then to prevent the spread of fires. The following description of the home is from the National Register of Historic Place nomination form: <blockquote>Built of red brick with white Italianate trim and Black shutters, the
house has an irregular plan. Porches on the east (front) and north
provide shaded, open, outdoor rooms. The front entrance is deeply
recessed and opens into a reception hall connecting through great double
sliding doors to the stair hall at the rear. To the right are double
parlors; through the rear parlor one can enter a small library. To the left is the dining room with a small conservatory at the south end. A sequence of pantries and halls leads to the kitchen in a one-story wing.
There is one bedroom on the first floor rear and five on the second floor
The dominant effect of the interiors is one of spaciousness and solidity.
Vaux'details areas well ordered as the overall scheme. Vaux was both
architect and landscape architect. Appropriately, the 7-acre site is
developed with picturesque curves defining lawns and plantings.&nbsp;</blockquote></div></div><div><div>
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				<div> Sometime during the 1880s, a man by the name of Charles Roberts purchased the home and called it "Edgecomb", though it is unclear how he came up with that name. It was re-named Ammadelle in 1898&nbsp;by the next owner, Bem Price, who came up with the estate's new name by combining his sister's name Amma and his wife's name Delle. After Price's passing in 1903, Delle resided in the home until it was passed to the Price's niece&nbsp;Minnie Sively. After Silvey, the home was owned by David Neilson, and then,&nbsp;John F. Tatum. The Tatum family has resided there since the 1960s and have been instrumental in&nbsp;preserving the home. </div></div>

Built by Thomas E. B. Pegues between 1859 and 1861, the house, boasting the Italianate style, is a testament to the architectural talents of designer Calvert Vaux. After surviving the crossfires of the Civil War, the home was sold multiple times throughout the years. Today, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and thanks to the efforts of the current homeowners the house and seven acres of land is under the protection of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Ammadelle

The L. Q. C. Lamar House Museum seeks to interpret the life and political contributions of L. Q. C. Lamar, a well-known 19th century statesman. The museum is located within a house that was once the home of Lamar, keeping his story alive with both the exhibits and the setting itself. There is some dispute over whether Lamar built or purchased the house, but the Lafayette County property records state that the property was bought by Virginia Longstreet Lamar, the wife of L. Q. C. Lamar, in 1868. Lamar lived in the house during his political career and transferred ownership of the house to his daughter, Fannie L. Mayes, in 1888. Lamar was born to a prominent Georgia political family in 1825. He&nbsp;graduated from Emory University in 1845,&nbsp;studied law afterwards and then&nbsp;passed the bar exam in 1847. He laid the foundation for&nbsp;his political career in the ensuing years before the Civil War by becoming involved in the Southern Rights Party and other activities. He was elected U.S. Congressman in 1857 and resigned upon the start of the war. After the war, Lamar&nbsp;called for reconciliation between the North and the South, earning wide acclaim on both sides. He believed the South could handle its own affairs without intervention from the North. This included that&nbsp;he did not support legislation to give African Americans more freedoms; he was thus an advocate of restoring white rule in the South. Lamar would become&nbsp;the first American politician to serve in the House, Senate, Supreme Court, and Cabinet. &nbsp;

Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar (1825-1893) was a prominent politician during the 19th century, serving in a number of roles including U.S. Congressman and Supreme Court Justice. He drafted the Mississippi Secession Ordinance and became an influential Confederate leader. Lamar purchased this home in 1868 and used it to hold many important meetings between Southern politicians in the next two decades after the war. Lamar is best-known for his speeches calling for unity between Northern and Southern residents—speeches that were careful to avoid any mention of the economic injustice and sporadic violence against former slaves—the leading sectional controversy of the time period. His home has been restored and serves as a history museum, interpreting the history of the region throughout the Civil War and Reconstruction. 

Walking Tour of Oxford Mississippi

Saint Peter’s Cemetery and Grave of William Faulkner

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