The Henry Smith House

The Henry Smith House is a historic estate on 2.5 acres in Picayune, Mississippi, about 45 minutes from New Orleans. The property centers on two restored structures: the Victorian House, built in 1909 by Henry Emmitt Smith using heart pine lumber and cypress shingles milled on-site, and a Log Cabin dating to circa 1874. After decades of family stewardship — Henry Smith himself accumulated over 1,000 acres before passing parcels to his nine children — the estate was purchased in 2000 and restored over two decades before launching as a wedding and events venue. Ceremonies take place at five locations on the grounds, including a custom chapel accommodating up to 30 guests with stained-glass windows salvaged from a New Orleans church, and the open-air Garden Lawn for larger outdoor ceremonies. The 4,800-square-foot covered Courtyard Pavilion serves receptions for up to 250 guests, with a wood-burning fireplace and patio heaters available. An on-site culinary team crafts multi-course menus built around Southern specialties — Crawfish Pies, Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya, and Shrimp Creole among them. Guest suites in both historic homes are available for overnight stays, with a private pool, decorative fountains, and maintained gardens rounding out the estate grounds.