True Culture
Mississippi history’s rich tapestry of invention, artistic contribution and natural beauty and diversity demands a record. For hundreds of years, Mississippi has been a place of discovery and excitement—and with each passing decade our history grows deeper. Thus, our state would love to welcome you at any one of our multitude of museums.
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson offers visitors a bird’s eye view of the state’s biological history and diversity with permanent and traveling exhibits sure to please and inform the entire family.
Take a walk through Blues history at the Mississippi Delta Blues Museum in historic Clarksdale to witness the birth of a true American art form. A short drive to Indianola and the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center will give you another dose of musical insight, this time into one of America’s most enduring performers.
More music history can be found at the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian, where the history of the true "Father of Country Music" is preserved. With Mississippi history’s rich musical component, it’s no surprise that here, too, we find an inspiring story of the birth of a true art form.
Many great Mississippians have left their home state to go on to greatness in the sports arenas of the world. We honor them at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson. Here you’ll find the names and histories of Mississippi’s greatest athletes such as Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and many more.
The Vicksburg Battlefield Museum will take you through Vicksburg’s historic role in the Civil War and the Confederacy’s heroic, if unsuccessful, attempts to hold the line against the impending Union forces. Walk the paths where unsung heroes of old have walked, and experience their triumphs and failures for yourself.
Across the state, samples of Mississippi’s fine artistic heritage are preserved at museums dedicated to these crafts.The fabulous Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi, designed by Frank Gehry, plays host to a fine array of art and pottery by Mississippi artist George E. Ohr, known as "the mad poter of Biloxi." The museum is dedicated to the preservation of this heritage and the education of the community at large. It exemplifies Ohr’s creative spirit and serves this mission through the compelling exhibits and educational experiences available through the museum.
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs is dedicated to famous naturalist and painter Walter Anderson and his beautiful creations that have brought joy and wonder to so many. Anderson is also known for turning a watchful eye toward the conservation of Mississippi’s natural resources. The museum opened in 1991 and services the community of Ocean Springs through artistic outreach programs designed to educate the community about Mississippi’s rich artistic history.
In the heart of downtown Jackson sits the Mississippi Museum of Art. This monument to Mississippi creativity houses the state’s finest collection of art from around the country, and occasionally the world. The Mississippi Museum of Art has been a community-supported institution for more than 100 years and has brought artistic education to the residents of Mississippi in the forms of marvelous displays and exhibitions of art in all its wonderful forms.
Mississippi has a rich and ever growing culture—and these are just a few of the museums that document that culture for future generations. From Jackson to Vicksburg, Clarksdale and more, you’ll find a variety of museums across the state.