There is now a registered historic home inside the city limits of Picayune, the Hermitage House.

Built in 1858, it could very well be the oldest structure in the city. And even if it’s not, there is plenty of historic value to the property.

It includes three structures, a pool and even has its own cemetery where previous owners claimed their final resting place.

But this year, the home received a place on the National Register of Historic Places by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, making it the first structure in the county to do so.

Since tours of an occupied home are impractical on a regular basis, it’s a sure bet that the new designation won’t create a place for tourists to frequent. Item staff have been

fortunate enough to tour the home in recent years and marveled at the history the old home embodies. Everywhere one looks, signs of old architecture are evident. Glass making techniques of old created panes that provide distorted views, and high ceilings make for a roomy feel in every area of the home.

There is a lot of history in the home and surrounding property.

But this is not the only historic building within the city limits, and property owners of all kinds should take note of what Hermitage House owners Frank and Lynne Burger have accomplished.

It took years of work to get the home renovated enough to even reach the application process. Each paint color selected had to match what was available at the time of the home’s construction and repairs to crumbling plaster also had to match the era.

It’s our hope that others will follow suit to have their lovingly restored homes or structures logged onto the register.

Picayune’s rich history lends to the availability of many places that could fit the bill. By sharing that history with others, we can share it with generations to come.