Hello,
My name is Cindy and I’m trying to save a National Treasure in Vicksburg, Mississippi. In the year 2019, I found this house online. I fell in love with this house and I started to dream about how I could purchase it.
With a little luck, ingenuity, and and a whole lot of naivety, I forged ahead. Little did I know what restoring a home that had been neglected as long as this one would actually mean in time and money.
There was no inspection, due to roof leaks and the general state the house was in. But, I thought that with the resources I had it was achievable. I was wrong.
We have been one year without a kitchen. Structural damage due to water and termites caused that area to need a complete overhaul. The sewer failed, the electricity was knob and tubes down had to be removed, the cast iron pipes were rotted and I replaced them, and I’ve only painted a quarter of the house. I can’t even mention the roof and the copper gutters and rotted down spouts. The interior is another story. We have replaced ceilings and floors, painted and painted. In some areas there are eight or more layers of paint and compromised windows everywhere? Did I mention I bought three furnaces and three air conditioners, but I need another furnace and extensive duct work? I also discovered that this house suffered two fires over its’ lifetime by repairing walls.
The worst part was not knowing that you do not give anyone a deposit for work here in Mississippi. They complete the work then get paid. I learned that the hard way.
I have focused on structural issues trying to put the fires out and repair them properly.
However, there are other reasons, besides my love of this property, to want to save this house. So,
let me tell you a little bit about the property!
First and foremost, this home is a rare and impressive piece of Italian Renaissance architecture.
Google that title and scroll down. You will see this property among some of the best in the world!
Reason number two is, that it is part of the Jewish heritage of Vicksburg at the turn of the century. The Jewish community was prominent and prosperous at that time here in the South. They were a force to be reckoned with, which is another remarkable thing about Vicksburg, Mississippi in the early 1900’s.
Reason number three is, it was built by Hannah Brown Fischel, who inherited the money from her father, Victor Brown, a prominent merchant and well known citizen. I believe that she wanted to show the town her social standing. She bought the mayors mansion, tore it down and built her dream. She hired a well known architect from New Orleans named Leon Weiss. He was also Jewish, and well known for his beautiful municipal buildings. People, at that time, were all trying to get a piece of property on Cherry Street. It was nicknamed Millionaires Row. So, she choose a much desired location, which I’m sure was coveted and impressive. Impressive because it was 1912, the year the Titanic went down, and women had clear roles in society. She had married, arranged by her father, but she was the one with the fortune, not her husband. She must have loved music because she had a Conservatory placed in the center of the structure. This house was definitely built to entertain and make a statement! With perseverance , it will be a gathering place again and a place to create memories.
Often people ask, after seeing it, “What is that doing there?” That is the mystery that I am piecing together as I restore it.
This is only a small part of the story and the people who have lived here. You can view videos on You Tube. Type in Coffee With Cindy Thrana or friend me on Facebook. I post progress reports from time to time.
I am the eternal optimist. Please help me save this beautiful Italian Renaissance structure. Any donation is greatly appreciated no matter what size. I realize these are tough times, so sharing my story will help me as well. This home will be open to the public for tours and functions, once the interior has had major repairs. This is my Swan Song and gift to future generations and people who believe that our history must be preserved for the generations to follow. Without documented history our stories are lost forever, and without preservation, the structures that are a testimonial to those stories disappear forever. If only more of our nation’s beautiful and historical buildings had been preserved and respected, we would have so many more national treasures to explore and enjoy.
Your generous donations are appreciated and you are helping to save a National Treasure.