Arts Crafts and Culture Itinerary

Day 1

Unlock Mississippi's rich treasure chest of crafts and culture as you journey south from Memphis down Interstate 55. The first stop is Vaughan, Mississippi, and the woodworking studio of Greg Harkins, a master craftsman of hand-carved rocking chairs and primitive furniture.
Then it's on to Canton, a historic Mississippi town known for its wonderful arts and crafts heritage. Visit the Allison's Wells School of Arts and Crafts in the Trolio Hotel on Canton's Square, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once located ten miles north of Canton, Allison's Wells was a thriving spa and artist colony until it was destroyed by fire in 1963. The Art Colony survived and is documented at the Smithsonian Institute as the oldest, self-governed colony in the United States.

In 1992, the Trolio Hotel was renovated and Allison's Wells re-opened. Stop in and visit, you might catch an art class in progress or a gallery showing from the Mississippi Art Colony. The hotel itself is a major attraction to the community.

Stroll around Canton's beautiful square and visit the many antique and gift shops. The Market Gallery features selections from artisans who exhibit at the Canton Flea Market Arts and Crafts Show. This event is held the second Thursday each May and October. and was named a top one hundred event by the American Bus Association. This featured show has over 1,100 exhibitors and attracts up to 70,000 people at each market.

Near the entrance to the Natchez Trace Parkway, just north of Jackson, is the Mississippi Crafts Center featuring arts and crafts by Mississippi artisans.

Continue on to Jackson, Mississippi's capital city.

Day 2

Begin the morning with breakfast and a tour of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi, located on the grounds of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry/ National Agricultural Aviation Museum. Chimneyville Crafts Gallery features exhibits and native crafts for sale. Enjoy a demonstration by a Mississippi artisan or browse in the gallery.

Delight in a tour of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry/National Agricultural Aviation Museum. The museum is a turn-of-the-century living farm and small town which pays tribute to one of the state's largest industries - agriculture.

This afternoon, take a driving tour of downtown Jackson and visit the Mississippi Governor's Mansion, a beautiful Greek Revival structure built in 1842. It is one of only two antebellum governor's mansions still in use.

The next stop is the Old Capitol Museum, built in 1840 as Mississippi's first State House. The museum's exhibits tell the story of Mississippi history from its early beginnings.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and retire to your hotel or bed and breakfast inn, to rest for tomorrow's cultural journey.

Day 3

Depart for the Mississippi Gulf Coast after breakfast. Travel down Highway 49 to Hattiesburg, home of the University of Southern Mississippi. Enjoy a Southern- style lunch.

After lunch, it's on to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to experience the crafts and the culture, as well as the entertainment offered along the 26 miles of sun- drenched coastline. Upon arrival, stop at the Gulf Coast Winery for a demonstration of how Mississippi wines are made, and sample the different varieties.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast offers a wealth of art and cultural events throughout the year. After dinner, attend a play at one of the several area community theatres. For late nighters, try your luck and roll the dice at the many fast-paced casinos.

Day 4

Venture into the quaint town of Ocean Springs, home to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and Shearwater Pottery. Watch as artisans demonstrate their handiwork.

Return to Biloxi for a tour of the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. The museum highlights the development of the seafood industry from its early beginnings to the present day. Watch as local craftsmen weave fishnets.

The Mardi Gras Museum in Biloxi contains beautiful handmade costumes made by local designers that were worn by former kings and queens of Mardi Gras balls.

The journey continues to the Southern Charm Mini Mall, a shopping extravaganza in Biloxi. This mall contains approximately 150 booths filled with crafts made by Mississippi artisans. Antique buffs may want to explore the many shops in the coastal area, such as the George E. Ohr Arts and Cultural Center, named after "The Mad Potter" of Biloxi.

Day 5

As your Mississippi crafts and cultural adventure draws to a close, we hope the discoveries you've made while exploring Mississippi's vast treasure chest will leave you with fond memories of the state.