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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶
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October 27-28, 2023
Southern Foodways Symposium ⟶

Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to info@southernfoodways.org.

< Back to Oral History project: Restaurants of Oxford’s Past

ORAL HISTORY

Annette Seay Hines, daughter of original owner

For many years, Aubrey Seay managed the cafeteria at the University of Mississippi, establishing lifelong relationships with faculty and students alike. His love of the university and the surrounding town of Oxford, Mississippi, cemented his reputation before he evened opened the doors on his famous restaurant, The Mansion. From its start in 1942, The Mansion was the place to be. With his grand Marble Room, Mr. Seay could welcome civic clubs, school dances, and even the press that was in town covering the 1962 integration of his dear Ole Miss. Mr. Seay passed and The Mansion burned in 1967, but the memories of the man and his restaurant remain.

Date of interview:
2004-07-22 00:00

Interviewer:
Amy Evans

Photographer:

Download Transcript

“

I think [my father's restaurant] was a cornerstone in the community. And... there are letters and testimonies that we have to that. He just never met anybody that he didn't like and didn't befriend from the football players, to William Faulkner, to the governor. Just everyone and anyone. And he -- he loved the environment of The Mansion and -- and actually probably entertained those people there more than he did at home. ~ Annette Seay Hines

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