Museum of Mississippi History

From a 500-year-old Native American dugout canoe discovered submerged in mud on the bank of a Mississippi lake, to author Eudora Welty’s manual typewriter and a recreated Delta juke joint that hops to the sounds of Mississippi Blues greats, visitors can fully submerge themselves in the legends and contributions of The Hospitality State. The museum’s overarching theme - One Mississippi, Many Stories - weaves throughout the eight main galleries to explore the diverse people that shaped the state’s history from prehistoric times to the present day.

Dive into The First Peoples and Cultural Crossroads galleries, which examine the sophisticated cultures of Mississippi Native American tribes to the explorations of Hernando De Soto and the settlement of Europeans and enslaved Africans. Learn how Mississippi made its mark with its official statehood in 1817 and the evolution of communities through the rise of slavery and The Cotton Kingdom. Walk through the Civil War and Reconstruction into major twentieth-century events and advancements in agriculture and industry, including the story of the Mississippi businessman who first bottled Coca-Cola. Finish at the modern galleries where artifacts and articles show how the Civil Rights Movement, diversification, and innovation backed the state’s dominance of today’s arts and culture.

At the end of your journey through the museum, you are invited to share your own story in the Reflections Gallery. Step into the private video booth and tell your memories of Mississippi. Your comments could be integrated into the several Reflections areas throughout the museum.

After your tour, stop into the Mississippi Museum Store, which offers one of the state’s finest collections of folk art, local handmade crafts, and books by and about Mississippians. The store also carries the new state flag and other products featuring the design.

Museum members receive a 10% discount on store items. Visitors can become museum members online at give2mississippimuseums.com.

The Mississippi Museum Store is open Tuesday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is closed on Monday. For more information, call 601-576-6921.

MUSEUM HOURS

Tuesday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM; Closed Mondays

GENERAL ADMISSION

For admission to the Museum of Mississippi History, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and special exhibitions.Adult: $15 | Youth (ages 4–22): $8 | Senior (ages 60+) or military: $13 | Children under 3 years: FREE | Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

FREE SUNDAYS — Admission to the Museum of Mississippi History, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and special exhibitions is free every Sunday.

INSIDE THE TWO MISSISSIPPI MUSEUMS

Nissan Cafe by Nick Wallace