Merrehope, a 26-room Victorian mansion that currently serves as a historic house museum, was originally built in 1858 by Richard McLemore for his daughter Juriah Jackson.

Richard McLemore, one of the first settlers of Meridian, deeded the land on which Merrehope now stands to his daughter, Juriah Jackson, in 1858.

The house changed hands in 1863 to a General Joseph E. Johnson, who made some architectural alterations to the original building.

The ell was detached and moved back about 20 feet (6.1 m), and a second story containing two servants' rooms, bathrooms, and a hallway was added.

The foundation convinced the Mississippi Legislature to pass a special act allowing the city of Meridian to assist the group financially with the restoration.

John Gary, one of the owners of the house who added most of the rooms present today, had a daughter named Eugenia.

Donna White, Merrehope's current hostess, claims that she was walking into the room when she recognized an imprint of a body on the bed.