Before this summer, I had never left the country or really the South, having spent the majority of my life in rural Mississippi. Because of this, I had a few culture shocks during my six weeks studying abroad in England, but I was most impressed by the sheer number of museums. Many of the places I visited had multiple museums on the same street, filled with priceless artifacts, beautiful paintings and tempting gift shops.
Since I returned home, I have missed the exposure to all the museums. But, rather than bash Mississippi for its lack of culture or daytime activities, I decided to do some research about the art galleries and museums the state has to offer.
To my surprise, Mississippi has a lot of unique places to explore, and while they are much more spread out than the museums I visited in Europe, they definitely deserve some more recognition. I was inspired to create a Mississippi museum bucket list, so I will share some of the most interesting and important ones to visit.
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
Located in Jackson, Mississippi, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum documents the history of the state’s role in the Civil Rights Movement between 1945 and 1970. Considering that the horrific lynching of Emmett Till, the assassination of Medgar Evers and the violent murders of James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman happened in Mississippi, we have a particular responsibility to confront these parts of our history and recognize the importance of the movement then and today. The museum particularly highlights Mississippians like Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer and Vernon Dahmer. While closed on Mondays, the museum is open every other day of the week and charges $15 for adults, $8 for children and $13 for seniors or military.
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs showcases the art and life of Mississippi painter Walter Anderson. Anderson is well known for his watercolors of flora and fauna, colorful murals and linoleum block prints. All of these can be seen through the exhibits, lectures, tours and workshops the museum offers. I am particularly interested in the museum’s current exhibit featuring all these different artists who have painted Southern live oaks. The long willow-like branches of these trees allow artists to create pieces with depth and texture which will certainly intrigue art enthusiasts and amateur art appreciators alike. Some of these paintings can also be viewed on the website for those who cannot make the trip to Ocean Springs. Open every day of the week, the museum charges $10 for adults and $5 for children and students.
Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum
Another museum for the musically-minded, the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo preserves the two-room house in which the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was born and the church he first attended. A bronze statue of Elvis at thirteen stands in the Elvis Presley Birthplace Park, but this is not the Birthplace’s only statue. Another two statues displayed together with the title “Becoming” depict a confident, mature Elvis performing behind child Elvis sitting with a guitar. To see the house, museum and church, a visitor must purchase the adult grande ticket for $25.
Famous Mississippi writer and Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Eudora Welty portrayed our state’s beauty while also calling out its vices in her novels like “The Optimist’s Daughter” and “Delta Wedding.” She lived in her house in Jackson for seventy-six years, and even after she died in 2001, her house and garden remain a place where “history buffs, book lovers, and visitors of all kinds” can gather together, according to the website. If you want to see a Southern garden full of camellias or hear a tour about one of the state’s finest writers in the home where she spent so much time writing and entertaining, visit this museum Tuesday through Saturday. Anyone can visit for free, but the house tours cost $10 for adults and $5 for students. However, when the thirteenth day of the month falls on a day the museum is open, tours are free.
The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center
This museum celebrates the life and music of blues legend, songwriter, record producer and Delta native B.B. King. Open Tuesday through Saturday in Indianola, Mississippi, the B.B. King Museum honors the late music icon with a memorial courtyard, theatre and other exhibits about King’s life. The admission fee is $15 for adults and $10 for students and children.
Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum
For those looking for a local museum, the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum in Starkville boasts a collection of Rookwood pottery, sports exhibits and the Montgomery Piano that dates back to the Civil War. This charming little museum allows guests to learn more about the county’s history for free Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Last but certainly not least, the Natural Science Museum in Jackson has all sorts of sights from fossils to aquariums. The museum even has a 1,700-foot greenhouse called “The Swamp” and exhibits specifically about habitats in Mississippi. Open every day of the week, the museum admits adult visitors for $8 and children for $3.
Overall, whether you are driving to the coast or to North Mississippi, fun museums are riddled throughout the state for those interested in art, history, music, science and culture. Mississippi may not have as many museums as some places, but you can still have that museum date or afternoon activity in these cool spaces distinct to this little corner of the world.
