O' Christmas Tree Home Tours of Vicksburg, MS

🎄 Step Into History – A Magical Christmas Tour 🎄

Step inside Vicksburg’s beautifully decorated historic homes, each adorned with dazzling trees, twinkling lights, and timeless holiday charm. This beloved tradition offers a warm glimpse into the city’s history, hospitality, and holiday spirit.

🎄Inspired by Mahala Roach, who was the first Mississippian to bring a Christmas tree into her home 🎄

On Christmas morning in 1851, in a cozy home overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, something extraordinary happened. As Mahala and James Roach opened the doors to their front parlour, their six children gasped in wonder. Before them stood an evergreen tree twinkling with taper candles, surrounded by shiny papers, delicate sweets, and fanciful toys that seemed to dance in delight.

“Christmas gift! Christmas gift!” they shouted—a jubilant echo of what we now know as “Trick or Treat!” It was the first known Christmas tree in Mississippi, dazzling with enchantment and entirely unheard of—even the White House hadn’t yet displayed one!

This magical moment was the creation of Mahala Roach, a gifted writer, legal scribe, and lover of stories who brought to life a scene straight from the pages of German holiday tales and the popular Godey’s Lady’s Book. Her 1851 diary entry—one of her most treasured “Christmas Days”—reveals her desire to spark awe and wonder in her children’s hearts. And she did. She gave Vicksburg its very first Christmas tree and, unknowingly, a holiday tradition that continues to sparkle more than 170 years later.

🌟 This Season, Walk in Her Footsteps 🌟

To honor Mahala’s legacy, we invite you to experience the magic firsthand. Each day of the tour, three beautifully decorated, private homes will open their doors for a rare and unforgettable holiday experience. Step into Vicksburg’s hidden gems, twinkling with festive décor and timeless charm.

📅 Tour Dates Times & Homes:

🚗 Tour at your own pace as you travel through the beautiful neighborhoods of Vicksburg.

📱 Follow us on Facebook for updates and sneak peeks.

✨ Come make memories where history and holiday magic meet. ✨

This event is sponsored by The Heritage Guild of Vicksburg and Warren County, composed of private individuals with like interests in preserving the cultural and structural heritage of Vicksburg and Warren County. The goal of the Heritage Guild is to champion the historical assets of our community. The O' Christmas Tree Home Tour is a collaboration of private historic home owners sharing their Christmas and their story of preservation.

Thank you to Nancy Bell, Executive Director of the Vicksburg Foundation of Historic Preservation, for providing the historic information for each of the homes.