What comes to mind when you think of the Mississippi Delta? The famous blues singer B.B. King? Miles upon miles of cotton fields? Perhaps, you envision delicious, southern soul food.
Resting in the heart of the Mississippi Delta is the city of Clarksdale. Home to many of the nation’s most iconic figures, such as B.B. King and Sam Cooke, Clarksdale is a quaint place with a rich and beautiful history. Clarksdale is located in Coahoma county and was founded in 1848. Overlooking perfectly manicured grass is the Cutrer Mansion. Built in 1916 by architect and Memphis, TN native, Bayard Cairnes, the Cutrer mansion continues to reign as an iconic landmark and tourist attraction for many in Mississippi. It was officially established as a landmark, in the state of Mississippi, in 2005.
This historic landmark was built for J.W. Cutrer— a local attorney and his beloved wife, Blanche Clark Cutrer— the daughter of John Clark, who is the founder of Clarksdale, MS. The Cutrer Mansion is an Italian designed home— perfectly designed for the convenience of living and the fun of partying. Accompanying the grand mansion, with the Cutrers, were Italian gardeners and French chefs.
Make Yourself at Home
Upon entering the mansion, to the left, you are greeted by a beautiful display room. Containing a collection of photos, newspaper clippings, and more, it envelopes you while taking you down the path of the Cutrer’s exciting history. As you continue your journey through the mansion, you’ll see the collection of artwork from talented local artists on display.
The Legacy Continues
To this day, the Cutrer Mansion continues to embody southern elegance along with the exuberant spirit of the Mississippi Delta. Events such as awards ceremonies and wedding receptions are held in this historical landmark. Nearby are some of the best restaurants in the Delta, such as Levon’s, Our Grandma’s House of Pancakes, and The Dutch Oven— each racking up 4.5 to 4.7 star ratings.
Fun and Education
It is now a place of study for the works of Tennessee Williams, as well as the culture and history of the Mississippi Delta. The mansion also hosts a festival dedicated to the works of Tennessee Williams— the same intriguing place where he attended opulent parties years ago. Did you know that the Cutrers and other people who attended the events in the Cutrer Mansion, and the mansion itself inspired many of the works of Tennessee Williams? One of the most famous pieces of his is the play A Streetcar Named Desire (1947). The well renowned play was adapted into a film in 1951. While the play/movie takes place in New Orleans, LA, one of the main characters, Blanche DuBois shares a first name with Blanche Clark Cutrer. This play received a Tony Award. In addition to this, you can attend some of their weekly events and the annual Juke Joint Festival.
Some of the weekly events usually held at the Cutrer Mansion include:
● Women’s Yoga
● Slow Flow
● Gentle Yoga
● Front Porch Yoga
The Cutrer Mansion has also hosted cooking classes for people in the community who are interested in improving their cooking skills.
Hidden Gem
Mississippi is full of gems with a rich history. The Cutrer Mansion holds fond memories of gleeful laughter, prestigious glamor, and southern charm. It brought the age old southern saying, “living in high cotton” to life. While some may see the Delta in a one dimensional way, the Cutrer Mansion stands to remind us that there’s so much more to the Mississippi Delta than what meets the eye.
