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All the United States Mississippi Natchez Mammy's Cupboard

Mammy's Cupboard

This racially troublesome eatery thought a new coat of paint could erase its offensive connotations.

Natchez, Mississippi

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Mammy’s Cupboard   Morris Brum on Flickr
Mammy’s Cupboard   Morris Brum on Flickr
Mammy’s Cupboard   John Rife
Mammy’s Cupboard   Morris Brum on Flickr
A little worse for wear but still going strong  
  lostslav / Atlas Obscura User
  lostslav / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The massive roadside statue/restaurant that is still known as Mammy's Cupboard sells lunches and desserts with a healthy helping of politically incorrect architecture.

This anachronistic eatery was built in 1940 to capitalize on the popularity of the "mammy" figure that had been brought back into the cultural consciousness thanks to a character in the film Gone With The Wind. The "building" is built into the figure's wide hoop skirt, which is topped with the dark-skinned torso of a maid holding a serving tray. The 28-foot tall brick structure was opened as a roadside restaurant targeting the same demographic as a number of other "world's largest" sculptures.

For the first many years of the establishment, the figure was painted with the exceptionally dark skin of many a minstrel figure, but during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s the skin of the restaurant's figure was painted a lighter shade of brown to assuage some of the racial criticism that had been leveled at the eatery. It has done little to lessen the stereotypical impact of the site and they continue to serve lunch and dessert from under the dress. There is also a gift shop.

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Restaurants Dessert

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Right on the side of US Hwy 61 in Natchez, MS

Community Contributors

Edited By

Kiri the Unicorn, ladypalutena, EricGrundhauser, lostslav...

  • Kiri the Unicorn
  • ladypalutena
  • EricGrundhauser
  • lostslav
  • lambrechtleslie

Published

April 24, 2014

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammy's_Cupboard
Mammy's Cupboard
555 Hwy 61 S
Natchez, Mississippi, 39120
United States
31.478008, -91.371285
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Longwood

Natchez, Mississippi

miles away

Under-the-Hill Saloon

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miles away

Smoot’s Grocery Blues Lounge

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Natchez

Natchez

Mississippi

Places 6

Nearby Places

Longwood

Natchez, Mississippi

miles away

Under-the-Hill Saloon

Natchez, Mississippi

miles away

Smoot’s Grocery Blues Lounge

Natchez, Mississippi

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Natchez

Natchez

Mississippi

Places 6

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