Museum of Mississippi History — Attraction in Jackson

I visited the Museum of Mississippi History on June 5, 2024, with my brother and sister.

The museum is in a complex housing both it and the Mississippi Museum of Civil Rights. A ticket gets admission into both museums. For the history museum, there is a chronological path, begininning with the prehistoric times, and ending with modern Mississippi. This includes model houses and artifacts collected over the years.

I did not see the Civil Rights museum, so I cannot speak for that one (or the short movie at the beginning). We were on a very tight schedule, and could barely manage an hour at the History Museum. That was certainly not enough time, and we really had to rush at the end. However, I liked every moment of my time there. I so wish I could've spent more time in the museum, especially in the modern Mississippi section. Everything is succinct and well-described. I do hope to return one day (and perhaps not when I'm driving between Memphis and New Orleans on a time crunch).

The staff was very kind, too. The lady who took our payment for tickets even gave my sister the student discount, even though she had technically just missed...

Truly a well done museum. I've been to quite a few in various states, and can say that this has a lot of thought put into it. The idea of the two museums together is neat, and both museums taught me a lot--and I don't consider myself ignorant of history.

The civil rights museum gives a harsh but accurate view of what it was like for the oppressed in MS, and does it in an engaging and thoughtful way. I liked the "tree" of advertisements on the ceiling which depict the common, institutional racism--as well as the section on etiquette, which goes over the minutia of what black people were "supposed to do" around white people. There are small pillars interspersed throughout the early portions of the museum which list the names, dates, and "crimes" of those who were lynched.

The Mississippi History Museum is also a thoughtfully constructed museum, which includes artifacts and tools/weaponry dating back long before statehood. I like that the native american stories included a version in the native language, and the artifacts themselves were fascinating--including a large canoe that was carved and burned...

Every American, especially non-Southerners, should experience this museum. I visited this exceptional museum about 3 years ago and I still hold it as one of the best museums I've ever visited.

The Museum of Mississippi History delivers everything I always hope a museum visit will, but rarely does. It explores with clear eyes, and a thoughtful heart, the complex, messy human history of the region – how it impacts our present, and how we can use lessons from our past to shape a better future with actions in our present. I laughed, cried, and definitely left with a deeper, changed view of Mississippi, the South, and our American history.

Clear an afternoon and go enjoy! Be ready to have interesting conversations with yourself and with the people...