It’s hard to talk about Mississippi without mentioning any number of the important historic and cultural events that have taken place in this southern U.S. state.
Even its moniker has historic significance: Named after the river that flows along and defines its western boundary, Mississippi comes from the word for ‘great river’ in Ojibwe, the ancient indigenous language of North America. In more recent times, Mississippi was home to one of the most defining battles of the Civil War, played a vital role in the civil Rights Movement and is considered the birthplace of blues music. And that’s just for starters.
Below, we spotlight a few of the not-to-be-missed places to visit on your next Mississippi adventure.
Mississippi civil rights museum interior Jackson Mississippi
Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
With a theme of “One Mississippi, Many Stories,” these two adjacent museums, located in the heart of downtown Jackson, encourage the exploration of more than 15,000 years of state history through eight permanent galleries and special exhibits. The Museum of Mississippi History tells the story of the state from the prehistoric era to the present day, while the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum chronicles the struggle for equality and civil rights in the state from 1945 to 1976. From a 500-year-old Native American dugout canoe discovered submerged in mud on the bank of a Mississippi lake and a recreated Delta juke joint that shakes to the sounds of Mississippi Blues greats to artifacts from the Civil Rights Movement, visitors to the museums have the opportunity to explore the complex stories that have defined this history-rich state. Save time for a visit to the Mississippi Museum store, which features one of the state’s finest collections of local handmade crafts, folk art and books by and about Mississippi.
Club Ebony Indianola
Vicksburg National Military Park
Located in Vicksburg, this park commemorates one of the Civil War’s pivotal campaigns, the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. Packed full of attractions that serve as a testament to the location’s prominent place in American history, Vicksburg National Miliary Park includes more than 1,400 memorial monuments, tablets and markers dotting the 1,800-acre park honoring soldiers who served on both sides of the Civil War. Equally impressive are the 20 miles of trenches and earthworks that have been reconstructed to reflect days gone by. Also located within the park is The USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum, which offers visitors a view of the restored vessel, along with Civil War-era artifacts recovered during the boat’s excavation. The park also offers some of the best walking and hiking areas in eastern Mississippi. Comfy walking shoes highly encouraged.
Mississippi still has plenty more to offer travelers and travel groups. If you’d like to get more travel information for Mississippi and beyond, just Subscribe to Leisure Group Travel magazine for FREE and get even more travel ideas.
Karen Gates Matlock, (601) 359-3528
