The Dr. John Bowman Banks House stands as a powerful symbol of African-American achievement, local history, and the enduring fight for civil rights in Natchez, Mississippi. Built around 1892 in the ornate Queen Anne architectural style and later remodeled in the elegant Colonial Revival style after 1905, this historic home tells a story that spans generations.
Dr. John Bowman Banks was the first African-American doctor licensed to practice medicine in the city of Natchez. His legacy lives on through the Banks House, which not only served as his residence but also as a community anchor during pivotal moments in history. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, the house became the headquarters for the Natchez chapter of the NAACP. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, a space dedicated to sharing the story of early twentieth-century Natchez life and the local Civil Rights Movement.
The Banks House holds the distinction of being Natchez’s first site included on both the American Civil Rights Trail and the Mississippi Freedom Trail, marking its national and state-level importance in the history of civil rights in America.
Despite its historical significance, the house is in urgent need of repairs. Water damage from roof leaks threatens the structural integrity and interior of this treasured building. A fundraising campaign has been launched to support restoration efforts and protect the home for future generations.
Community members, history enthusiasts, and supporters of civil rights preservation are invited to contribute to this vital cause. Your donation will go directly toward restoring and preserving a key landmark in the fight for equality and justice.
To support the preservation of the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, please visit:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-helping-hand-for-dr-john-bowman-banks-museum
Every contribution helps ensure that the story of Dr. Banks and the legacy of civil rights in Natchez continue to inspire and educate generations to come.
This is certainly a legitimate cause for donations, but I am having a problem with the Mayor using his time and staff with this non-profit while Natchez has property of the Aneglety House with $172K+ in the budget for repairs as it is falling down and nothing has been accomplished since 2021 as it further deteriates day by day, week by week, month by month and year to year! Can I have a WTF?
The City of Natchez acquired and restored the [Angelety) house as part of a 1970s urban renewal project that demolished numerous deteriorated historic buildings for construction of new housing. The brick house at 180 St. Catherine Street blends the classical symmetry of the Greek Revival style with the romantic flourish of the Gothic Revival style. The house was probably built in the mid to late 1850s for Ellen Smart McDougall, widow of George Smart and wife of Peter McDougall.