Natchez Reads 2025 Begins: A Closer Look at William Johnson

Natchez Reads 2025 Begins:

A Closer Look at William Johnson

The first event of Natchez Reads 2025 shines a light on William Johnson - barber, businessman, and diarist. Learn how his love of horse racing reveals new layers of Natchez History.

On May 1, 2025, the Historic Natchez Foundation will host an evening dedicated to the life and legacy of William Johnson (1809–1851), one of Natchez’s most fascinating historical figures. Known as the “Barber of Natchez,” Johnson was born enslaved and rose to prominence as a respected businessman and diarist. His detailed journals offer a rare, firsthand glimpse into everyday life in 19th-century Natchez, shedding light on the complex social structures of the time.

This special event, The Sporting Life of William Johnson, will be presented by Kathleen Bond, Superintendent of the Natchez National Historical Park. The program highlights a lesser-known aspect of Johnson’s life—his interest in sport, particularly horse racing, which was a central part of leisure and status during his time. Through this lens, the evening offers a chance to better understand both Johnson’s personal experiences and the broader cultural life of 19th-century Natchez.

The talk on May 1 serves as the opening program of Natchez Reads 2025, a four-part community event series centered around Geraldine Brooks’s acclaimed novel Horse. The novel tells the story of Lexington, a legendary racehorse trained in Natchez at Fatherland Plantation—now the site of the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. Johnson’s diaries provide a unique local perspective on horse racing during this era, creating a fascinating bridge between the real people of the past and the narrative Brooks has so masterfully woven.

Kathleen Bond’s presentation invites attendees to consider Johnson not only as a barber and diarist but as an engaged observer of the world around him. It’s a meaningful way to begin a summer series that blends literature with the layered human stories that still shape Natchez’s identity today.

The event will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Historic Natchez Foundation, located at 108 South Commerce Street. While you’re in town, consider visiting the William Johnson House Museum during daytime hours. Located at 210 State Street and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum features a variety of artifacts and interpretive panels that explore Johnson’s life, work, and family legacy. Highlights include original documents, visual displays, and a large gilded mirror that once hung in one of his barber shops. Though the upstairs living quarters are currently closed due to stairway repairs, the first floor offers a compelling look into his story.

A selection of books will be available for purchase at the May 1 event, including Geraldine Brooks’s Horse and several of her other titles, The Barber of Natchez by Edwin Adams Davis, William Johnson’s Natchez, and additional related works. These same titles—and more—can also be found at the William Johnson House museum gift shop.

If you're traveling from out of town, we would love to welcome you at Beaumont House Bed and Breakfast. Our 1830s home offers casual elegance and historic charm, located just a short walk from both the Historic Natchez Foundation and the William Johnson House. Whether you’re here for an evening or a weekend, Beaumont House provides a warm and convenient retreat in the heart of Natchez.

Follow along for our next blog post in the Natchez Reads 2025 series, where we’ll share details about the July book discussion of Horse, led by Historic Natchez Foundation’s own Betty Jo Harris.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, these events offer a rich opportunity to engage with the stories that continue to shape our community.