| Museum of Mississippi History | |
| Map Type: | USA Mississippi |
| Established: | December 9, 2017[1] |
| Location: | 222 North St, Jackson, Mississippi |
| Type: | Public |
| Visitors: | 500,000+ |
| Director: | Michael Morris |
The Museum of Mississippi History is a museum in Jackson, Mississippi located at 222 North St. #2205. The museum opened December 9, 2017, in conjunction with the adjacent Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in celebration of Mississippi's bicentennial.[2] The theme of the history museum is "One Mississippi, Many Stories".[3] Both museums are administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH).[4]
In 1998, the Mississippi State Legislature authorized MDAH to begin planning construction of a new Museum of Mississippi History. Subsequently, a coalition of Mississippi architects – Eley Guild Hardy; Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons; and Dale Partners – was selected to design the building in association with The Freelon Group (Perkins&Will) of Durham, NC.[5] [6] Because of unforeseen state funding priorities created by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and subsequent budget shortfalls, appropriations for museum construction were delayed.[6]
In 2011, Governor Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Legislature approved $38 million in bond funding to begin construction of the two museums.[7] The legislative bill specified that the museums were to be operational by 2017 to coincide with the bicentennial year when Mississippi was admitted to statehood.[7] An additional $16.6 million bond authorization for the museums was approved by Governor Phil Bryant in 2016.[8] [9]
In total, the Mississippi State Legislature appropriated $90 million for construction of the two museums. An additional $19 million for exhibits and endowments was provided through private donations, such as the Foundation for Mississippi History.[1] [2] [10] Construction began in December 2013 by Thrash Commercial Contractors from Brandon, MS.[2] The museums opened December 9, 2017.
The two museums share an auditorium, classrooms, storage areas, and a workshop for preparation of exhibits. The museums cover an area of 200000ft2.[1]
The Museum of Mississippi History examines 15,000 years of state history through exhibits, educational programs, and historical artifacts. As of 2022, there were 8 galleries based on historic timelines:[11]