City Map of Facilities

Grasslawn Historical Home

The Department of Leisure Services Cultural Affairs Division manages the Grass Lawn Historical Home (formerly known as The Milner House), and is  listed on the National Registry of Historical Structures.

On August 29, Hurricane Katrina Destroyed this beautiful home.  Gulfport Leisure Services hopes to replace this building with a replica of the historical home.  Interested organizations interested in helping with funding should contact our offices at 228-868-5882

History

Located on East Beach in Gulfport overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Grass Lawn was built in 1836 as a summer home by Dr. Hiram A. Roberts, a Port Gibson surgeon and land owner who also maintained sugar plantations in Louisiana.

The house is constructed of hand-hewn pine and cypress timbers held together with wooden pegs.  The 10 foot-wide galleries supported by two-story box columns are enclosed by wooden balustrades with balusters of triangular design-Grass Lawn's trademark.

The interior includes three 20-by20 foot rooms on each floor.  The wide flooring is of edge grain heart pine.  The mantel in the west rooms are of white marble and those in the east rooms, black marble.  All are identically styled.

The original property included 235 acres of orchards and gardens.  In 1905 after the property was  subdivided, Grass Lawn was purchased by John Kennedy Milner who later became owner of the Coast Coca-Cola Bottling Company, one of the foremost firms of its kind in Mississippi.  Because of political, historical and architectural significance, Grass Lawn was placed on the national register of historic Places in 1972.  It remained in the Milner Family until it was bought by the City of Gulfport in 1973.

Furnishings

The furnishings found in Grass Lawn are from the first half of the nineteenth century.  While there are several nice pieces currently on display, it is the goal of the Old Spanish Trail Heritage Foundation Inc. to add appropriate pieces of furniture, china, rugs, and art to the collection.

Activities

Grass Lawn has longed been a popular location for weddings, reception and various parties.  It is featured as the "Hospitality house" in Gulfport for the Annual Spring Pilgrimage sponsored by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Council of Garden Clubs.  The City of Gulfport also uses it to entertain dignitaries visiting the the coast.  Educational tours are another amenity provided by this lovely historical landmark.